Mood:
lyricalNow Playing: Day 681-The Final Road To Survival
This was suppose to be Hell-In-A-Jug day. I woke up with a clear head and brain until a few hours later then it all went south from there... The problem with the toxic poison is it causes issues with your blood pressure and other not so nice things with your body. Any little, teeny, tiny bit of stress and you might as well forget it. Then I have to hold off treatment until the next day. My Gastroenterologist has faith in me to know better consuming the liquid dynamite while under any stress. It can have deadly consequences so its not worth the risk. I will just have to wait until tomorrow to start treatment. Its not the first time this has happened nor will it be the last.
Since I now have a Drano freedom day and the weather is winter nice I decided to get a head start on next weeks errands. My head wasn't giving me any grief today nor firing up so why not take the car for a spin? I also got to go visit a friend of mine I have known now for over five years. Its been a bit since I last got to visit him so it was nice to just catch up on life. He has been remodeling his son's bedroom from the ground up and so far it looks amazing! He did a really great job and I can't wait to see the final touches. Its very self gratifying to do your own home remodeling projects because once you are finished you can stand back and see all the hard work come together. Far more rewarding than hiring someone to do it for you. My friend is taking his two weeks vacation from work and doing a cross country trip with his son. He has wanted to do the trip for years now and its so nice to finally see his dream come true. They will both have a great time and also make some life time memories. They are super excited! Its sad hearing all the places they plan on visiting along the way because it makes me realize all the places I can't go nor see due to being sick. I sure wish I would had done more extensive traveling in my 20's but who would had known I would got so sick once I hit the age of 30? I did take vacations and got to go out of the country twice but if I had that crystal ball back then I would had done so much more! I still hold onto hope and that one day I will see the ocean again but for now I do good just to sit in the car for more than an hour and thirty minutes.
Once I got home I finished up some house chores then attempted to find something to mix with this new Slimfast. Why in the world they changed the formula and consistency after how many years I have no idea but they did and it doesn't agree with me. I tried watering it down but its still very hard for me to consume. I can't tolerate Boost or Ensure because it won't stay down. There is a cat named Zoey down south who will fight you over a bottle of Ensure. My friend AnnMarie said she is lucky to finish a bottle without Zoey being right by her side. Hahahaha! Too funny! I bet with Zoey drinking all the Ensure there is a few extra years added now to the nine lives! Hee,hee,hee,hee...
My dear friend Andrea sent me some wonderful news this evening and a too cute not to post picture. They welcomed this week the newest member of their family named, "Draxtin." What a cutie! After 29 hours of induced labor all natural with no pain meds or epidurals. YIKES! I stand up and applaud her because that same pain is what those of us with intestinal dysmotility due to our Gastroparesis go through and trust me folks it isn't fun. Congrats to you and the entire family! Welcome home Draxtin.
Here's to Drano Monday and may it be a stress-free one too!
a-ok
The animal gang had a play date set with Jingles puppy who isn't so 'little' anymore. He is almost the same size as Oreo. At only four months old I can't imagine how big he will be once fully grown. Littleblue has had so much energy lately that its been great allowing her to have some play time with Jingles and giving him a run for his money! Hahahaha! Oreo isn't so nervous around Jingles anymore and I assume it has to do with Jingles now being a bit older.
The weather has started to get much cooler again which is nice because the ground will be frozen enough for the gang to play outside in the backyard. My spring flowers are already starting to come close to blooming so something sure has to change soon because flu season is even running late and that is scary! YIKES! Everyone stay far, far away from me! Last thing I need is to catch the flu. Amen!
I decided to have a pizza night with friends. Of course I do love to cook but milk products are a huge no-no for this gal. I do fairly OK with the small Dannon yogurt drinks but assume because they are so small and come in a tiny little bottle. Cheese and me just don't mix. Neither does ice cream. Sadly my Gastroparesis has taken the ability to eat much of anything. I can count on one hand now what I can tolerate and that isn't much. Regardless I still love to cook and enjoy the smells of all the various foods as well my friends appreciate the thought that goes into cooking. It makes me happy to see them enjoy the food. The homemade pizza was another huge hit and left a few very full stomachs. Me? I got out my juicer machine and blended my fruits and veggies for the next few days. At least I am getting all the vitamins in one juicing session but now to just get my body to absorb them. I asked my specialists for a prescription to get some time released vitamins. What you can buy at the store works great if you have a normal GI tract and digestive system. For me I need something much stronger and something that has a rapid absorption. My hair and nails haven't been growing so I am in dire need. I know the ole Drano is to blame for half of the problem but the other is due to my Idiopathic Gastroparesis. Anything at this point is worth a try! If all else fails I guess at least I will keep my local wig store in business. 
Hahahahaha!
hug me
They say its always the little things in life that mean the most to people. I also believe in that statement.
don't ask
It's not easy being disabled. Its not fun nor is it a free joy ride milking the system like some may believe. I would like to take this day from hell and personally hand it over to those who feel anyone is milking the system by being disabled to take a walk in my shoes for a change. Any ones shoes who battles a chronic condition on a daily basis trying to find normal energy and deal with normal daily activities with a twist. I once again had to deal with my insurance company who insists I pay for one prescription at a time with my Hell-In-A-Jug treatments which are done on a weekly basis. Its hard enough living a unique life with a medical condition but add onto the stressful mix your insurance company breathing down your neck not wanting to cover medical necessary medication. No its not a generic statement when anyone discriminates against others who are sick regardless what condition it is and clearly I am reminded of those choice of bad words when I am faced with a day like today. Worst part is when days like today I am reminded by my limitations and those exact words. Especially knowing they came from a family member.
celebratory
It's been a longggg day! 
Darn if I didn't forget to set my cell phone alarm last night when I went to bed at a record time of 2am. I was beat! So beat I almost slept through my dentist appointment. At least I had my clothes set out and the coffee maker ready to go so once we got up and let the dogs out it didn't take long to head out the door. I got to the dentist's office with three minutes to spare. Some how I feel like maybe I have earned myself a frequent dentist pass or a rewards program card. Hahahaha! Something with maybe trip points based off of how much dental work you've had done. If that was possible they could have sent me around the world by now. I not only won myself more dental work today but another visit early next month. WOOHOO! NOT. 
We did stop by a wig shop after my dentist appointment because someone suggested I look into a human hair wig. I was told they last longer than the synthetic ones. What they didn't tell me was how horribly cheap they look with an expensive price tag to boot! OUCH! Thanks but no thanks. I will stick to the ones I have now and the lady who sells them in a huge stylish shop by my home. The one I went to this afternoon looked as if the building stepped right out of the 50's. Wigs to match. Ahhhhh things us GP patients have to look forward to including hair issues but its only as easy of a transition as you make it. I do mine with a sense of humor and an easy going attitude. At least once my hair is finally gone I will wear stylish wigs that don't look like something out of the cartoon, 'The Jetsons.' 
irritated
Today felt like Monday all over again. It started on the wrong foot but at least ended much, much better and I was able to get more than a few things accomplished off my huge week "To Do List." Just when I thought I had all the court papers completed POOF! there are two more sets to complete. Seems there is a reason why lawyers exist and it isn't always to represent you but just to do the arm length of papers that need to be filed out by our court system. After that snafu experience I headed to pick up my Drano prescription refill only to be told the insurance company once again refuses to cover it. Seems they don't understand over and over and over and over again why I am drinking colonoscopy/surgical bowel prep on a weekly basis since most people who lose intestinal motility have most of their intestines removed then get a colostomy bag. I tend to firmly believe they have never met a gal like me. Hahahaha! So once again I had to go through the same ole song and Drano dance: Call my Gastroenterologist, have him fax a medical necessity letter to the insurance company then contact the pharmacy.
At least once we got back home things turned to a more positive note. THANK GOODNESS! I got some wonderful news online from a private owned corporation and more great news coming from us both in June. I am also hoping to meet some fellow GP friends next month if the ole Gastroparesis permits but for now I have to take things one day at a time. The fur kids were on their best behavior and got two walks this evening. They were both very happy to get some time to play outside. The house chores are caught up and so is the wash. WOOHOO! I am on a roll and here's hoping that my dentist appointment tomorrow leaves me with teeth still left in my mouth. Hahahaha! YIKES!
d'oh
I have a Drano hangover from hell. I also didn't get to sleep until 5:15am after two hours of stabbing pain. Seems not only did the Drano aka Hell-In-A-Jug hit me way too late but it also got stuck in my lower intestine. The sharp stabbing pain started around 2:30am. Usually taking a walk helps to move things around and if my intestine is kinked up it will 'usually' help release it but not this time. We got the fur kids on their leashes and headed to the park across the street but once I started walking the pain got worse. Once we made it half way through the park I quickly had to turn right back around because the pain was getting to be off the charts. Its times like these when you must question how much more pain you can take and if its time to head to the emergency room. What I need to get is a stethoscope this way I can hear bowel sounds and find out exactly where they are coming from. Once I got back in the house I did my best to find a comfortable position then placed my hands firmly over the area where the pain was coming from and sure enough the darn Drano was stuck where my colon is fused to other parts of my intestines. I got to a 9 on a scale of 1-10 with the pain and told myself I could handle a 12 then it was time to head up to the hospital. Luckily around 5am after two hours of pain the liquid dynamite was finally able to move through the last part of my intestines and the pain started to ease up enough for me to finally lay down. I didn't get up until 2:30pm but am happy to say I did wake up pain-free. THANK GOODNESS! This next treatment I will be starting earlier!
At least the kitty gang don't have to worry about dental problems but with the spring like temperatures they too are starting to shed earlier than expected. Once I get the brush out they like to run as I try to brush them. Most cats love being brushed but I think mine believe its nothing more than playtime. Hahahahaha!
While consuming the nasty salt water with a kick I noticed it might be time to replace the ole couchbed and loveseat. The set is only four years old but I don't want to wait until its no longer in good shape to sell it. With it being tax refund season if I am going to sell it now is the time! I have the new extra large recliner in the backroom that has only been used around five times so I was thinking of just buying a sofa to replace the one I have now and putting both recliners in the living room where the loveseat is placed. This would allow for more open space and guests could use the recliners when visiting. The new sofa will be a bit larger than the old one which also allows for more room to sit. I cleaned them both up this evening and took a few pictures and placed the online ads. Hopefully it won't be a problem selling them so I can buy the new sofa before spring.
Lot's of new and exciting changes coming soon and I can't wait! Its about time for some positive news isn't it?! CHEERS!
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.
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.