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The Road Before & After Surgery
January 30, 2012
Sugar & Spice And Things That Are Not Head Nice...
Mood:  d'oh
Now Playing: Day 654-The Final Road To Survival

I woke up around 10am after going to bed around 4am. I had the worst headache with nausea as soon as I laid down on my couchbed. Once 10am hit the darn sun started coming through the towels hanging over the curtains which fired my head pressure right back up again. By 10:30am I started having tremors in my legs then a seizure came on. Seizures are scary no matter when they strike or how bad the intensity. I do my best not to panic which can only prolong the seizure and make it far worse. Forget trying to pick up a phone and call someone. Hahahaha! NICE TRY but NOT happening! During a seizure that is the last thing you are thinking about and your only concern is holding on for dear life and praying the son of a gun gets over with soon! I also worry if I will wake up and not know where the heck I am at. That has only happened once when my ex lived at the house. It was scary waking up not knowing where you are or who is sitting next to you. Never ask a person questions during a seizure because we can't talk.

The worst part of today was having two seizures within an hour apart from each other. The second one is always the real kicker because it makes your entire body sore and its hard to move your arms and legs.Your face also goes numb. This time at least someone was over the house when it came on and noticed my body shaking under the couchbed covers. I am very fortunate I came out of that one with no ramifications. Afterwards I was exhausted but too scared to go back to sleep. Thank you Mr. Valium for doing the trick within 15 minutes. WHEW!

So yesterday wasn't a good Drano day due to unwanted and unforeseen stress. Today wasn't a good Drano day either due to seizures that could possibly get worse or happen more frequently due to the toxic Hell-In-A-Jug poison. I was able to contact my doctor who will be working with me on starting a new seizure medication when I see him tomorrow. Its smart to get a head start on things before the days include more sunlight which means more head issues and more seizures for this gal. Did I just make a funny? "Head Start" on things? Hahahaha!

You know what the rest of the day included don't you? Taking a handful of laxatives in hopes of any relief and praying tomorrow is a better day. The day when I can finally start treatment again. Amen.


Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EST
Updated: January 31, 2012 2:41 AM EST
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January 29, 2012
Trust.
Mood:  not sure
Now Playing: Day 653-The Final Road To Survival

It's been one strange day! Is this Friday the 13th or did the UFO's final visit planet earth and invade human life-more like human minds?... I have been beyond stressed out and it sure didn't help my head or GP issues. I also learned today that its not safe nor too smart playing your own doctor and deciding when its OK to drive when you are still recovering from a concussion and having a bad day to start with. DUH! Live and learn. By the time it was 11pm I wasn't sure what happened to the day but I did learn a very valuable lesson about being cautious when putting trust in others. Another live and learn lesson but isn't that what life is all about anyways? Lessons learned?..

How would you define the word "Trust?"

*I heard once it meant to feel safe with someone. I like that definition.
*My dog. Because there is no judgment in him, he accepts me for who I am. He loves me just as I love him we are each others best friends. He would and has protected me and I would and have protected him. So I would define trust as my dog.
*Trust is a simple word that encompasses many facets. You have to have faith in another person so you can exchange this feeling of knowing the other person is ok.
*Not intentionally hurting me by taking pot shots, talking me down in public, or being critical. Always putting the relationship ahead in priority of everything and everyone else. Not lying or fibbing, or even feeling the need to hide something from me. Working on common goals by, among other things, not overspending on an agreed-upon budget. Respecting my concerns and feelings and not using them against me. All in all, feeling safe with someone is good way to sum it up.
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
*In this world where it seems like lying and cheating have become almost second nature to most people, trust is a really important word to me. It may be my favorite word. It means so much on so many levels. To me it is not just about feeling safe with someone, but it means being free to have faith in them. That, to me, is the best feeling in the world. Trust is so hard to come by these days. It should not be given easily. It needs to be earned. Proving you are trustworthy is just about the most worthwhile thing you can do.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:57 PM EST
Updated: January 31, 2012 3:49 AM EST
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January 28, 2012
I Am SOOOO Ready To Get Out!
Mood:  d'oh
Now Playing: Day 652-The Final Road To Survival

You know you are ready to get the heck out of the house when you find yourself watching RuPaul's Drag Race Casting Extravaganza show! Hahahaha! Well...at least it makes for some fun entertainment. I think they need a RuPaul channel! Sure beats most of the horrible shows now on television.

Tomorrow is officially this gal's Drano day. Its been far too long and I am starting to feel a bit toxic. This usually means I could end up in some future trouble if I don't watch it and start lining up the ole jug and chaser glass. Honestly I will be more than ready for it come Sunday.

Once me and my friend got up around 2:30pm we thought maybe Pumpkin kitty got ahold of some Drano of his own! WOW! What a MESS! It has to be the medication and for now I will be holding off on it for a few days. Mostly for his sake but also my friend said for his too! Hahahaha! Talking about POO-POO Kitty! He left a mess from one end of the house to another. We were both shocked! This new shampooer machine already paid for itself ten fold! After cleaning up the last of the mess it took us over two hours. Nothing like waking up to that kind of nightmare. It wasn't too smart of an idea for me to keep bending and stooping because once this evening hit the head pressure started getting the best of me then quickly followed by waves of nausea and vomiting. One step ahead and now two steps back. At least I see my specialist Tuesday and after getting an email regarding my three hospital visits I have a few questions about my tests and cat scan. I realize that sometimes our doctors feel things are best left unsaid in fear that maybe the patient has enough on their plate already to deal with however...I do better 'knowing.' Guess I will find out more come next week at the appointment.

I did my friends taxes today. He was delighted to see he got back from Uncle Sam this year. Although he fell into a higher tax bracket last year I reminded him of the golden rule. "The more you make the more they take." I will be doing a few others taxes over the next three weeks. At least its something to do keeping me busy. I don't mind doing taxes and its nice to learn something new in life that will always come to your advantage later down the road.

Wow! February is less than a week away! Valentine's Day is not too far behind either so that means only one thing: CHOCOLATE! YUMMY! For now I will settle on the beautiful flowers I got this week that make the living room smell like spring. I would rather smell it in flowers than having it early like today's temperatures. Just nuts! One good thing about being stuck at home recovering is I don't have to worry about being out in public catching all the viruses going around. Amen. Littleblue and Oreo are sporting their new Valentine heart bandannas. They are too cute!

Speaking of CUTE!

I just had to share this photo of little Eliana with Mr. GP Blue-our new 2012 Gastroparesis Awareness Campaign mascot. Eliana is a Idiopathic Gastroparesis patient. Thank you Eliana and thank you to your amazing Mom Andrea for helping to design our new mascot.

KEEP ON! KEEPING ON!


Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EST
Updated: January 29, 2012 2:58 AM EST
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January 27, 2012
Another Slowwww Weekend...
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Day 651-The Final Road To Survival

It's the start of another very slow weekend...

I didn't get to sleep till 5:30 this morning. Anymore I just say, "Heck with it!" and allow my brain to get tired enough that I forget I am nauseated. I still use peppermint oil on a piece of paper towel or cloth then place it it next to my couchbed before I go to sleep. It does help ease up some of the nausea but when you gotta get sick your going to get sick no matter how much peppermint you have in the room.

Today is another house project day and since the monsoon rain has let up for a bit the basement wall needs re-caulked and temporarily patched. It won't be until mid spring the way things are going before the ground is dry enough to repair the walls correctly. For now its like placing another band-aid over and over again. I "tried" to put up a new curtain rod in the spare bedroom today but dang it! I gave up once I realized the rod needs to be moved. This was after I already put up the hooks. GEES! Looks like that project will have to wait until tomorrow.

The furniture re-staining is now officially completed! The last piece was finished today then everything was placed back in order. Its like brand new! The furniture is over 40 years old and made of solid, sturdy wood. Not like they make things now which is super cheap! I think this furniture could last another 40+ years and hopefully can go another five years before having to be re-stained again. I enjoy being productive and it helps keep my mind busy.

I still haven't been able to do my Hell-In-A-Jug treatment and I am not quite sure when I can because the nausea, vomiting and head pressure hasn't let up yet. It also hasn't eased up enough to make me feel comfortable drinking the toxic poison. For now I have been utilizing a handful of over the counter laxatives which really don't do much. At this point if I stay on full liquids I might be ok till Sunday or Monday when I try to attempt the ole Drano again.

Pumpkin kitty has been having one heck of a time with his respiratory infection. The medication the veterinarian placed him on gives him a horrible upset stomach! Thank goodness for a new carpet shampooer machine. I have already lost track how many times so far it has been used. At least its much easier than the other shampooer made by Bissell which was a huge waste of money and started falling apart after only six months. This time I got smart and bought a Hoover! (Did I just do another product plug again? Hahahaha!)

Today in the mail I got some wonderful cards and a very nice Angel ornament gift. I also got some beautiful flowers delivered yesterday. Thank you everyone for all your support and kind words during my recovery process. It truly means a lot and goes to show there are still kindred hearts and amazing people in this world and I am so glad to have all of you as part of my life. As a dear friend of mine always tells me, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings!" At this point she will be singing for a very, very long time because this gal has a lot of fight and spunk still left in her. That's with or without hair too! Hahahaha!

Looks like I have two kids to keep my couchbed nice and warm for this weekend. Ahhhh....


Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EST
Updated: January 28, 2012 2:56 AM EST
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January 26, 2012
A Productive Head Day!
Mood:  amorous
Now Playing: Day 650-The Final Road To Survival

Drano day TAKE 3 and...ACTION!

It seems I just can't get on any type of schedule now with my treatments. Today I have been dealing with the overwhelming back of head pressure that comes in waves. Its also making me extremely irritable so I thought it would be a good idea that my friend does his own thing today and I do mine. The vomiting accompanies the waves of pressure then I finally get some relief. A few hours later I am right back at it again. Gees!

At least I have found a way on my own to finish the rest of the furniture re-staining project. This way I have the entire upstairs bedroom to lock myself in from the rest of the world. It was also nice to escape the confinements of the ole couchbed and television. There was still three pieces of furniture left to stain and polish. I took my time and spent all day completing everything. It felt great to be productive again regardless if I had to take numerous bathroom breaks to get sick. The furniture looks almost brand new again! The wood was pretty dry so the dark stain took quickly. Between the new comforter set and the beautiful newly polished furniture it looks good enough to sleep in the bedroom again! Sounds like a great idea but the last time I was able to sleep in a bed without getting sick was over four years ago. I must now sleep elevated on a firm surface thus having my ole couchbed.

Yes. GP suks!

I had to call for some backup due to all the monsoon rain we are having once again. The temperatures are also back to feeling more like spring which has everyone getting sick with upper head and respiratory infections. My basement wall is leaking again due to all of this darn rain. I can't drive to go buy some caulking to seal the leaks before they got worse so I had to call for some help. Thank goodness for assistance! If you see me near the coastline soon no worries...I might just float down there in my house, hahahaha! Yes. That is how bad the rain is becoming and destroying any grass that any one has left in their yard. Pumpkin kitty had to go back to the veterinarian due to his respiratory infection is still lingering. The rest of the fur kids are 100% better so the veterinarian is just hoping it doesn't rebound and they all pass it around again. UGGGG! Poor Pumpkin. In between sneezing constantly he just lays around and sleeps a lot. At least they were able to give him another injection of antibiotics then we have to give him another round of medication for the next several days. Hopefully this time it will do the trick!

Well off to put the dressers back together again and give them one final polish! Jersey Shore is on tonight so better get my poof and head back to the ole couchbed. CHEERS!


Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EST
Updated: January 27, 2012 4:12 AM EST
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January 25, 2012
Things That Make You Say...Hmmmm?...
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Day 649-The Final Road To Survival

As I lay here once again on the ole couchbed surrounded by my water, Slimfast and other tasty GP liquid diet yummy drinks (being sarcastic) I question what the heck came over some of these parents on a few of these reality television shows?...

Let's start off first with "Dance Moms." One would think these kids were playing lead role in a Broadway show! One would also think these Moms need to maybe get a life that doesn't evolve around putting their girls in the presence of some menopausal woman belittling them. WHEW! Have you watched this train accident waiting to happen as each competition makes those watching literally lose the rest of their hair? The woman who owns this dance studio makes any horror movie look 'G' rated. If I had someone who taught me dance put me down and then in turn have a few cursing matches with my own parent then I can only imagine at their age what they have to look forward to when they get older. Just a shame they allow such a show and its a slap in the face to such young talent. When the woman states she is looking for a husband instead of gifts that the parents and children buy her I wonder what type of gentlemen would want to be critiqued the rest of their lives? A few episodes was enough for me to say, "NEXT!" PS: I cringe at anyone who names their child, "Abby Lee."

Mind you this is what happens when you are stuck home recovering from a brain injury and there isn't a darn thing on even with over 300 channels. I just realized by my friend that we have over 400 channels. OOPS! Regardless this is why I have become the channel surfer because there isn't anything on besides HGTV and CNN. Huge Anderson Cooper fan!

Me and my friend just finished watching the most hilarious show of them all which is bad television at its finest! "Toddlers and Tiaras." Reality isn't really reality anymore. Its more like scripted television where the producers decide once the tape is cut in the editing room just how they will present you to the rest of the viewing world. Nothing quite like watching parents live their dreams out through hair clip ons, false eyelashes, flipper-fake teeth, spray on tans and enough Aqua Net that if someone lit a match we would all blow up! Hahahaha! I remember way back in the day when beauty pageants didn't involve parents standing behind the judges motioning each move their child should make. I tend to think anyone who has a video recorder at these glitz beauty pageants also must hold a top rated U Tube video channel. I get more of a kick watching the parents who act like maybe they need to be in the 2-6 year old group instead of the actual child. Hahahaha!

The best part is when the child doesn't hold up to their parents expectations and walk away with the average $500-$1,000 top prize, although mind you it costs almost the same amount just to enter into these pageants. I think maybe they need to give the parents a Monster energy drink and a dozen of pixie sticks first before announcing the grand supreme prize winners. Surely it would make for the best television of all! Hahahaha! Come on? Making a child lose weight when they are only 8 years old or how about only having children for the sake of putting them into beauty pageants? I think some these parents should had instead invested into Mattel and build a Barbie house and bought a Barbie corvette and then hit the road aka solo. Its sad to imagine the consequences and self esteem issues these children will grow up having from being forced into a distorted pageant world by their parents living their lives through them. Sure isn't what it used to be back in the day but boy! is it extremely fun guilty pleasure watching these parents behave like children!

On a more productive note...My friend started re-staining furniture in the spare bedroom. The furniture was handed down to me and the last time it had a good refinishing was years ago. I did my best to help assist with polishing the parts that were eye level. Anything besides watching television is a blessing! Amen. We also baked some cupcakes. I never was too much into cake or cupcakes. I always preferred the icing. It takes a lot of sugar anymore to keep my levels up. Same goes for staying hydrated increasing my fluids due to low blood pressure associated with my Gastroparesis. At least I can say I am getting better at monitoring both and that's a good thing!

Drano day didn't happen today. I am way overdue but each treatment must be considered very carefully. If I am experiencing excessive head pressure or vomiting as well if my blood pressure is running too low treatment must be held off for another day. My doctors leave the decision in my hands now because they feel I know my body best and don't want to jeopardize pushing me into a treatment on a day when I am not doing well to begin with. Just part of living a Gastroparesis life.

I will be coming up on two weeks soon healing from the concussion. Its a slow process but in order for it to be a successful one without suffering any further complications I need to keep remembering one word. PATIENCE.


Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EST
Updated: January 26, 2012 3:42 AM EST
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January 24, 2012
Darn GP!
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Day 648-The Final Road To Survival

So...Looks like this won't be a Drano gal for this gal. I am not having a good head day nor blood pressure day either. Darn GP! No wonder I can't ever plan things out because when you live with Gastroparesis things are always changing.

I had my Hell-In-A-Jug ready as well my Hawaiian punch chaser to start the treatment around 3:30pm. After doing a touch more walking and things around the house than compared to yesterday it all went downhill from there. My head started pounding then the horrible pressure began to work from the right side of my head through my ears then down to my neck. Next of course is motion sickness then vomiting. When I attempted to take a shower later this evening I got quite dizzy so it was a quick one then back to my ole couchbed to rest with ice packs. With my blood pressure running low I made a smart decision not to do treatment today because it does cause cardiac side affects. Its not a safe idea right now so unfortunately Drano has to wait.

There are a few house projects that need to be done around the house. So far my friend has been doing most of them. Of course I am limited due to the concussion so its been very frustrating to say the least! Let's just say I am NOT liking all the restrictions I now have in my life but just praying recovery is sooner than eight weeks before I go nuts! Hahahaha! I do have my wheelchair at home so maybe my specialist will allow me to at least go out to the mall or somewhere close to my home by next weekend just to get a change of scenery. I know...It's called patience and I am quickly running out. Some would say I would make a great contestant on the show 'Big Brother!' Me stuck in a house? No problem! I could win it seeing isn't that what I have been doing already most of my Gastroparesis life? Amen.

A friend of mine who doesn't have Gastroparesis but another chronic condition mentioned to me how hard it is dating and finding a companion. They said, "Why don't they have a dating site for those who are disabled? A way to connect with those of the opposite sex who also suffer from a disability?" Hmmmm....I honestly thought that was a very good point and a great idea too! Its hard dating when you get older but add a chronic or terminal condition to the mix? Forget it! Seems you have to hide whats going on internally especially if you can disguise it externally. Marriage isn't what it used to be years ago. I believe when you take those vows and sign that marriage certificate and its says, "Till death do us part" that it be taken seriously and there is no getting out of the marriage. Instead you have to work through your problems and differences.  I don't believe in divorce however I find myself in that exact position. I believe if there is a problem by golly it can be fixed. Sadly its when one spouse fails to work together and communicate is when they also fail the marriage. I don't believe in anyone who says it was both parties fault that the marriage ended. That isn't the case because there is always that one person who doesn't want to work on keeping their vows. Do I believe in spousal support? Yes I do unless both parties make equal in salary. If not then the lesser spouse should be granted temporary financial support. I guess I needed to be born in the 30's or 40's when there was rarely such a thing heard of as a divorce. Now marriage comes with a 50% divorce rate so some how, somewhere, something went way wrong.

Maybe we do need a dating site to connect those like us who are looking for someone special who don't discriminate based off of a medical condition but instead can see the person for who they truly are. Maybe I need to start playing the lottery again. I think my friend has a great potential business avenue to look into! Until then my dear friend never lose hope because there is someone for everyone out there who will never let you down and never give up and will see you for the beautiful person you truly are. Amen.


Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EST
Updated: January 25, 2012 2:54 AM EST
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January 23, 2012
B O R E D.
Mood:  down
Now Playing: Day 647-The Final Road To Survival

Boy! OH Boy! Am I B O R E D!

It's now been officially a week since I got my concussion and I am going nuts being stuck at home! I am also going nuts with all this resting on my couchbed. I am shocked that the number pad on my satellite dish remote haven't come off yet from all the channel surfing! Hahahaha! Once I get up to walk around every other hour I am finding myself looking for anything to do. Anything at all even if it is or isn't productive. Just anything besides watching television. I lost track how many times I have walked around the house today saying, " I am BORED!" I tend to think I am also driving my friend nuts and sure bet they were glad to go to work today! Hahahaha!

Since I lost more weight over the past six months I ended up finding over six pairs of winter jeans and pants as well sweaters to donate to the local Goodwill store. Now that I wear a size 1 or 2 depending on the designer and size XS in tops most of my clothes no longer fit. I can only imagine once I go through my spring and summer clothes but those can wait seeing I am NOT looking forward to the upcoming months. I am still crossing my fingers we get hit with lots of snow in February. WHOAHOA!

Oreo is doing about the same. He still has seizures and I do my best making sure he is safe and comfortable. That is the nice part about being home with a sick fur kid. I can't see me being anywhere else knowing he might have a seizure and no one was there for him. Cuddles kitty is still waiting for someone to come home that officially moved the rest of their belongings out this past weekend. I feel horrible for the fur kids because 13 years is such a long time to be used to the same faces around the house. Me and my friend have been doing our best to help them readjust to the changes but its still been tough. I remember this same person telling me a few years ago that those who walk away and leave someone who is sick is a weak person. Now I question if they realized when the going got tough they too also got going?.. Sadly they are not the only ones in my life who have done the recent disappearing act. The words: "Abandoned" and "Neglected" seem to fit. Some question how anyone can leave someone who clearly needs help and how their guilt and subconscious don't eat them alive or at night when they sleep?.. I now find myself with all my guards up with little trust and faith in anyone within the area. Rightfully so because I refuse to get hurt again. I have been questioning whether its a good idea to remain in this city due to all the negativity and bad memories that lurk around me. My parents live here and honestly that is pretty much the only thing that keeps me grounded. I do have a handful of very loyal, loving and compassionate friends who always accepted me for me whether I am normal or sick. My friend suggested this afternoon that once I make a full recovery from the concussion that we go out with a few of his friends. It was a great idea but I told him I don't trust anyone around here and don't feel comfortable meeting anyone new. If I moved to a different state I could at least have a fresh start on a clean slate. I could be me without being judged. I would also keep my medical condition hidden behind physician doors or online.

Sometimes I just wish I was me again without Gastroparesis. For such a poorly understood GI disorder that fails to get the much needed research money from federal grants it can sure leave behind a very destructive path physically and emotionally. Amen.

Today I had to cancel all of my upcoming doctors and dentist appointments for the remainder of the month and into early February. I do have to see my doctor who is closely monitoring my recovery from the concussion. Luckily his office is just a mile from my home. I will be seeing him late next week to see where I am with the post concussion syndrome. I told him that the depression has been horrific the past three days! I have never been depressed nor a depressed person. I am the type of individual who also doesn't do pity parties but it seems when you suffer from a concussion depression can be part of the symptoms. Depression he said is very common and something we need to also keep a very close eye on because it can continue even after recovery. They can't really put me on anything for depression seeing its not a chemical imbalance problem but part of the brain trauma from the concussion. Same goes for the vomiting, nausea, irritability, memory problems, brain fog and feeling all over the place. 8 weeks seems to be reasonable since I already had prior neuro problems due to my seizures.

February can't get here soon enough so I can say "BYE BYE" to this hellish first month of the year. Once I fully recover I can't wait to just take one night out on the town, even if only for a few hours. AMEN! I tried to talk my way around maybe taking a 'small' car ride if my friend drove however my doctor quickly shot that idea down as well the hospital physicians. Heck, it was worth a try! Need any sewing done? I might be your gal! Need any taxes done? I might be your gal but I can't promise they will be done right and Uncle Sam won't be knocking at your door later this year. Hahahaha! Just blame it on the head gal! Me!

Well back to channel surfing and speaking of water...Its Hell-In-A-Jug day tomorrow. WHOAHOA! I tell ya! The things this gal has to look forward to now huh?! CHEERS!


Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EST
Updated: January 24, 2012 3:15 AM EST
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January 22, 2012
3rd Time Is A Charm!
Mood:  down
Now Playing: Day 646-The Final Road To Survival

I guess even when your sick as heck the 3rd time can always be the charm!

Same goes for visiting the local hospital emergency department. This is now the third time in less than a week I have been in the hospital. All because I failed (Yes! I take full responsibility and blame) and forgot to check my blood pressure and blood sugar as well got up way too quickly from my couchbed, lost my balance, hit a wooden side table at the same time Oreo's 50 pound body and skull jumping mid air then blacked out. This obviously all led to my concussion and nose issues. Now I am still royally paying for it all because I was dumb that day and forgot I was sick. Maybe I was too busy dreaming about a vacation in Hawaii then when I woke up I might had 'forgotten' I have Idiopathic Gastroparesis?...Regardless the excuses I find for my lack-of responsibility watching my health closely this concussion is getting very serious.

This weather is still confused so unfortunately the trip to the hospital was an icy one. I was WIDE AWAKE seeing I don't need to fall on the ice.  I was also very concerned with my friend driving me to the hospital working on more than 24 hours without sleep. It was a very scary ride to the emergency room but we both made it. WHEW! I only had to sign in seeing my doctor called ahead of time and they already had me in their computer system. We waited maybe five minutes before they took me back to a room. Luckily the first emergency room doctor was working and she came in to exam and talk to me. She completely agreed the concern with feeling worse and having the extreme head pressure with vomiting. Obviously something is going on and my doctor placed an order of tests to be run including a cat scan. Instead of taking a few steps forward the emergency room doctor explained I took about twice that in steps back. My blood pressure was too low for starters and even after almost two large iv fluid bags I was still running a bit low. The vertigo and head pressure is from the concussion. Although I thought maybe I took a little hit I guess I took a huge hit. After the test reports came back the doctor came in to tell us the news and next game plan.

It will now take anywhere from 6-8 weeks for my brain to fully recover as well I am experiencing terrible post concussion syndrome. The vomiting is from the head pressure which isn't helping matters leaving me dehydrated and making my Gastroparesis go all over the place. I also feel emotionally all over the place and starting to experience depression. I am finding myself the past four days crying more now than I have my entire lifetime. Drop a pin and I will lose it. At least I know this is all still part of my brain trying to recover. I am thankful my doctors are monitoring things very closely and especially when it comes to depression. Its going to be hard because I am used to keeping active around the house even during treatments but now I am stuck on my couchbed most of the day. This isn't going to be a good month nor is February.

S I G H...

My friend luckily caught up on a few zzzz's while waiting in the hospital room. They made sure to put me in a room far away from other patients who had the flu or other viruses because I don't need anything else right now on my full plate. I won't be knocking or falling on any wood right now either! Hahahaha! Funny now but it sure wasn't a week ago. After the final tests came back and the iv treatments were finished the doctor came back in to go over post concussion home care. They don't want me out jeopardizing myself by falling or getting another concussion that could end up being fatal. Especially with my low sugar and blood pressure problems. Its important I get lots of rest but I still need to get up every other hour and do my best to walk around. I am on a precautionary antibiotic as well decongestant since I will be laying around a lot. They have me on two anti vomiting and nausea medications and changed my medicine for the head pressure. All of course cause drowsiness but if that means no scary tree or dragon nightmares then I am alllllllll for it! Hahahaha!

So what did I do all day? GUESS! Couchbed, TV, walk around, take in fluids then back to my couchbed. Couchbed, TV, walk around, take in fluids then back to my couchbed, etc, etc, etc. You get the point...BOY OH BOY! Am I already BORED AS HECK! I guess like my own doctors and hospital physicians said, "Its going to be rough but you must be patience in order to make a full recovery."

This is going to be one hellish recover and I already have treatment again in two day. GEES!


Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:09 PM EST
Updated: January 23, 2012 12:05 AM EST
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January 21, 2012
Predict The Unpredictable...
Mood:  down
Now Playing: Day 645-The Final Road To Survival

When you live with Gastroparesis there will always be two things for certain which are:

  1. Expect the unexpected
  2. Predict the unpredictable.

I am still trying to finish up part of my last treatment just in time for another treatment come Tuesday. Honestly I don't even know how I keep up with this crazy schedule. Doing it with a brain injury...Forget it!

I still feel horrible. I can't get this darn pressure pain to ease up. If I just lay sitting up with ice or heat after an hour I seem to get a bit of relief. Once I stand up and start walking around it hits me all over again. Today I did my best to take in a little more activity finding things to do around the house. One like myself would had thought this was a good idea but to any health care professional it was a terrible idea. After being woke up at 10am then again around 12pm from those moving belongs out of the house I had to deal with some unwanted comments which ended rather quickly seeing my head and myself wasn't in the mood. By the time they made the last trip back to my house moving belongs out it was around 2pm. What a mess they left!! I was livid! The interesting part was the things they 'did' leave behind. Not like I was shocked but I am sure a few who believed otherwise might had been taken back quite a bit. It was like a huge tornado swept through the house then I just stood back shaking my head in disbelief.

GRRRR!

This started my not so good day. By 3:30pm in between taking breaks on the couch with ice and heat packs I started having severe nausea and horrible head pressure. By the time I went to call someone the vomiting started and lasted on and off for over an hour. At this point I felt extremely dizzy and my head felt like it was going to explode! I called my doctor and he quickly got back to me. He was concerned that there might be complications going on with my brain from the concussion since I shouldn't be vomiting almost a week later. He urged me to go back to the hospital so he could order some tests but stubborn me just wanted to lay back down.

Forward to 11pm this evening...As my friend finished up cleaning a huge mess from those who moved items out of the house I still wasn't feeling good and the head pressure, nausea and vomiting kept lingering. My doctor had me taking two medications that would normally stop the vomiting but it wasn't helping either. So around 11:30pm I made the decision that it would had been a good idea to listen to my doctor and go to the hospital earlier this afternoon. DUH ON ME! Now I am on my way to the hospital for the 3rd time in less than a week feeling as if once again instead of taking two steps ahead with my injury I just took another huge step behind.

What a week! What a MONTH!

As for the moving process...It is finally over although there are still things that need to be done and changed around the house but they will have to wait till another day. Its going to be a very long night into the morning hours and boy! will my friend be tired! He is going on 24 hours without sleep but illness waits for no one and I sure don't need any complications so off we go back to the hospital.


Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EST
Updated: January 22, 2012 10:05 PM EST
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