Mood:
a-okNow Playing: Day 673-The Final Road To Survival
It was a horrible nights sleep as the waves of nausea and vomiting paid me another unwelcome visit. Just as soon as I was getting comfortable and ready to go to sleep which was around 4am it hit me in full force. Time to get Mr. Yellow Puke Pan back out again...GEES! That's the problem when you are hit with severe vagus nerve damage because it stems from the back of your head all the way down your GI tract. Nausea and vomiting is very common once the damage progresses. I have noticed a connection with the tremors because they tend to start right before the nausea hits then the last of it ends with vomiting then I finally get some relief. Since my last doctors appointments I was strongly advised to no longer take any anti nausea medication because it was just prolonging things. My body needs to work through the symptoms in order to move past them. Nothing quite like sucking things up but I figure if I can do it for years with the off the chart pain I can do the same with the nausea and vomiting.
I am due for another treatment tomorrow. I am starting to once again slowly get back into a routine with the liquid dynamite. With numerous fellow GP friends having horrible problems with bowel obstructions and being hospitalized as well one having two surgeries in less than a week I really can't complain too much having to endure the Drano. Why you may ask? Because it helps me from getting into the same trouble-bowel obstructions that can be deadly. What my fellow friends are enduring this week is nothing more than a eery reminder why I must stay on a normal routine with my treatments. I must still stay focused and far, far away from any stress. So far...So good as I continue making changes in my life to be stress-free.
Today was a day to catch up on errands and some house chores. I got mostly everything done with just a few things left to do tomorrow. With treatment and making sure I keep moving allowing gravity to help it will be a good thing I left some things for tomorrow. This evening I made some homemade Mexican for friends as I braved my first tiny cup of low fat ice cream yogurt. Most people could eat this in a few bites but my stomach just couldn't handle it. I made it through half the small cup then had to put the rest back in the freezer. I still haven't been able to drink half of a 32oz Gatorade on a daily basis yet but one step at a time. At least the homemade Mexican was a huge hit and there wasn't one clean plate left.
Hahahahaha! God might limit me on what I can eat but he didn't limit me in the ability to still be a darn good cook! Amen. 
happy
I made good on the promise to myself heading out at least once a week to have some fun and enjoy life. Tonight was the night although it was a very slow start due to the waves of nausea and vomiting. I figured it might be a short night when I was already yawning and getting tired before we even headed out the door. Hahahaha! There are so many new places I want to try up in the Dayton, Ohio area as well Northern Kentucky. At least I was able to visit one of them this evening although it was short lived. I just couldn't get my body to follow my brain and have some fun. My energy ran out after just two hours but "A" for effort and at least I gave it a good attempt! Luckily I still have a few great friends in the city, more than just acquaintances that totally understand my limitations that sometimes happen with my medical condition so we all decided to call it an early night. 
When I arrived home the fur kids greeted me at the front door with wagging tails. I had a friend take a few photos of us celebrating a late Valentine's day near all the wonderful cards and gifts I got from everyone. This might be a low key weekend but that's ok because there is always next week to play catch up with living life and having fun! Amen.
chillin'
I can only handle so many days in a row stuck in the house so today I ran some errands even taking the fur kids along for the ride. Oreo needs his toenails clipped and since the rain has let up this was a perfect opportunity to visit his groomer. Littleblue is continuing to shed her winter coat a few months early and what a mess! I must now vacuum the house once a day in order to stay on top of the hair. Luckily I have a defurminator rack so every day she gets brushed in the basement. Its a two man job but we're hoping most of her shedding will be done by early next week. I always keep covers on the couch but with her shedding they must be changed also once a day. Its a job! Oreo has short hair and when he does shed it isn't much. Thank goodness!
Jingles puppy gets to visit with the fur gang once a week. He is getting to be huge and now weighs 30 pounds. Its good for Littleblue because it helps to get her energy out and allows for some play time however since Oreo still has seizure problems he chooses to remain out of the playing and instead in the hiding far away on the couch. Oreo will be 14 years old this year and let's just say he has earned his "leave me alone freedom." Hee,hee,hee,hee...The groomer did mention when she was trimming his toenails that he seems a lot more calmer thanks to his new medication. He doesn't have seizures as often so its a good sign! Since I had Drano treatment for Valentine's day the only ones who got to celebrate were the fur kids.
special
This afternoon I received very sad news regarding the passing of a life that was cut far too short. It was news regarding the littlest Angel that now is with other Angels in Heaven. A life full of suffering and a life full of courage. A life full of determination and strength doing what so many Gastroparesis patients as well others who suffer from chronic and terminal conditions do on a daily basis which is to fight to stay alive. Fight to live in hopes of a cure. 
d'oh
HAPPY VDRANO DAY! Hahahaha! For those of us GP'ers who are not so fortunate to have intestines that don't work and are past surgical options you all know exactly what I am referring to! YES! It's not just Valentine's Day but Hell-In-A-Jug Drano day too!
Early this morning I woke up to a huge Teddy Bear moving next to me on the recliner. I thought maybe I was losing it but nope, Pumpkin Kitty was doing his best to lay on Mr. Teddy Bear but instead only was able to put his paw on him. Hahahaha! It was a great photo opportunity too cute to pass up! Same with Oreo who is really enjoying the new living room furniture which allows for him to spread out on his big floor bed. Once I covered him up he was out like a light. Fur kids are so much like human kids aren't they?..
I am blessed for an amazing team of 16 specialists who treat me more than just being their patient but as a friend. They have allowed me to live longer than ever expected by giving me the tools to continue to fight the good fight. I will always be blessed to know for all the times I felt alone I was never truly alone and have the support of hundreds upon thousands of people who truly care. Even those in the city who look out for my emotional and physical well being I just want to say, "Thank you."
To everyone who loves me and allows me to love them back, "Thank you and may you have a very blessed Valentine's Day!" I am beyond appreciative for all the beautiful cards and gifts. You are all the best! May God always bless you and may Hershey find you in heaven today. The chocolate kind! Hee,hee,hee,hee...
Thank you to those who informed me that I had two of the same similar posts. Blame it on the internet acting up last night but also blame it on the Drano. All good now and no, you weren't losing it or seeing what appeared to be the same post. Hahahaha! I went to hit publish and it kicked me back out so I did my best to rewrite it only to realize the blog was on delay. WHEW! Can you say that real fast ten times? Hahahaha!
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and although I already had prior plans I must now change them. Unfortunately Valentine's Day celebration will have to wait until later this week but that's ok and I understand my health comes first. Patience. P A T I E N C E. Like I said, "I am still learning."
Sadly the snow is almost gone. At least Littleblue and Oreo sure did enjoy running around outside and playing. I can only hope Mother Nature pays us another winter snow visit this upcoming Valentine's Day week. To me that would be the ultimate gift! I love snow and winter but dread the upcoming spring that makes my medical nightmare that much worse. The fur kitties did nothing but find all the cold winter weather as an excuse to lounge around a bit more than usual.
Here's to Drano Monday! NOT...
celebratory
What a great weekend and look at all the snow! It makes me want to do the HAPPY DANCE! Instead I think Littleblue and Oreo are doing it for me since both of them spent lots of time outside in the snow today. The ground is nice and cold which makes for some great snow and thank goodness FINALLY some winter temperatures! 
How can one miss the opportunity finally being able to enjoy some of this beautiful snow? Sure. I also didn't feel like falling and having another concussion either so I had a huge bag of salt nearby. Hahahaha! I just better enjoy it now before the evil spring and summer months pay us a visit. My head can wait! Trust me! It can wait!
LOOK OUT GP & MS! This gal is pushing you both aside and taking over the reigns today! WHOAHOA! I am ready for a road trip and what a better way than in the SNOW! 
Would I do it all over again?
cheeky
Hahahaha!
Littleblue and Oreo have already started shedding their winter coat a few months early so its been a job just brushing them every day. Thank goodness the ground is now frozen and they can get all their energy out. It looks like a great weekend for them too! I sure do miss my gang when I go out but once I walk through the front door they are always waiting for me with their tails wagging. They are the best! Aren't all fur kids?!