Mood:
d'ohNow Playing: Day 692-The Final Road To Survival
I TEBOW MY DRANO!
Hee,hee,hee,hee...Yep, it was too good not to go there! Sometimes when faced with a ocean full of Drano you might as well find some sort of humor in it!
Ask my friend who had the job of picking up the box of Drano goodies today at my local Walmart pharmacy. Boy! did he ever have a few great stories to share! Hahahahaha! He said the pharmacy assistant even tried to hand him the information packet with the eight jugs of liquid dynamite so he chuckled and replied back to her, "Thanks! but we already know the drill since this is more than over 200 jugs already." He said the ladies jaw hit the ground and the line of people behind him waiting to pick up their prescriptions were silent as a mouse. He said, "You could hear a pin drop!" Lastly add the cashier's look on her face since he had to pick up a few things and check out with the already paid box of Drano. The cashier asked to see a receipt and then questioned what was in the box. So he replied, "Oh you don't want to know what this is but I will give you a hint. Think of Drano but only for the body." I can only imagine her facial expression but instead the woman looked at him and said, "Oh heck noway! I could never do that on a weekly basis." Hmmmm....Well I guess she would never make it past even one weeks worth of treatment! Hahahahaha! Its a different experience dealing with Drano aka Hell-In-A-Jug treatments. Another experience when the world shares the monthly pick up process getting my prescription.
I am once again enduring the treatment hangover from hell! I am dragging and honestly could be just content staying on my couchbed all day but the animal gang would never have it. No such luck although Pumpkin kitty didn't have a problem just lounging on his window bed all day. Lucky isn't he?! Instead I did my best to move around hoping to gain some energy. I am still taking my daily handful of vitamins as well liquids but I honestly don't feel any different. I still have yet to get any energy but will continue taking them to make my doctors happy.
We all finally figured out my strange stomach rashes that have been coming and going over the past year. We also figured out the problem with my hypoglycemia. During my last surgery they did find some issues going on with my liver as well inflammation. Unfortunately since my intestines no longer work and lack movement/motility my liver became fused to them. My surgeons could not get to my liver in order to do further investigating. It seems whatever is going on continues to progress and my Idiopathic Gastroparesis is also doing a domino effect on my pancreas and other GI organs. Its no wonder I am having one heck of a time trying to keep my blood sugar levels up and once I do get a decent reading on my monitor I am a few hours later right back down again. I also have dull, achy upper right quad pain that really was quite easy to explain. I just needed to ask my surgeons or look at my last op reports. DUH! Your liver works with your pancreas and your pancreas works with your liver. When one acts up and starts losing function the other will soon follow. A hida scan would show my doctors how much function I have left with both organs but honestly at this point why bother? If they can't fix the problem or cure it then why add something else onto my full plate? Its tough enough dealing with the multitude of issues due to this darn Gastroparesis. Heck, I am just doing good keeping up with everything now. Amen. So I have decided to not put my body through anymore extreme tests. I will continue keeping a close eye on both my low blood sugar and low blood pressure problems with my paralyzed organs.
Thanks GP! NOT!!
Friday I have my last test of the week and hopefully for the month or rest of the year. It sounded good anyways! Next week I am back to the dentist to repair the last two teeth on the right side but still have to find out if there is more damage again on the left side. Maybe me and my dentist need to just move next door to each other? This way I could just walk over in between treatments and get my dental work done. Hahahaha! Pretty sad when I see my dentist more than any other of my 16 specialists.
Thanks Drano! NOT!!
Hey, at least I can still find humor in life with bad news. To me the best medicine in the world will always be laughter.
"As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round."
special
I got an email from an amazing woman named Arlene who has a daughter named Brianna who also suffers from Gastroparesis. Brianna is only three years old and was born with Idiopathic Gastroparesis. Brianna's condition is chronic and terminal. Arlene came up with an amazing idea designing a clothing line called, "Bibi Wear" as well a cute teddy bear buddy named "Bibi Bear." Arlene was picked to be in a contest sponsored by Walmart called, "Walmart Get On The Shelf." The contest is a way for people to get their ideas out of their home and onto the shelves of the large retailer. Arlene is hoping to get both the clothing line and Bibi Bear available to the public so other children can have easy access and comfortable clothing that allows for quick change of any feeding tube/line. Bibi Bear is a special bear that allows a child to take with him/her when parents are not allowed whether it be surgical procedures, testing, etc.
Oh yes! Its a full moon week and so far one heck of a strange one too!
Today was a day battling my insurance company. My Gastroenterologist has been dealing with them now since December regarding coverage for my intestinal treatment medication. Now they only want to cover one jug every three months when I need eight in a month. I was in no mood to start the day with any stress so after an hour battling my insurance company explaining the situation I was able to finally get them to approve the medical necessity medication. Of course this was after an hour explaining my medical condition and my doctor prior getting on them over three times this past month. Let's just say my treatments are rare. VERY RARE! In fact so rare the insurance company and drug manufacturer have never heard of such a thing nor having to do treatment twice weekly. This medication is only to be taken once in a life time prior to a colonoscopy or before surgical procedures. Maybe they need to use me as their research guinea pig. Heck! at least they might learn something from me. 
WHAT A START OF A VERY LONG WEEK!...
happy
I can't believe its snowing! WOOHOO! Just goes to show you the weather channels are never right. This was a great packing snow too! Although with it being 3am I tend to think if I started to have any sort of snowball fight the neighbors might think I lost my mind. Hahahaha!
Instead Littleblue got to enjoy the snow and even played in it for a bit. We both love snow! Oreo deals with it but he won't last too long outside before wanting to come back into the house so once I let him in me and Littleblue spent a few more minutes enjoying it!
This was a typical BLAH MONDAY. I was dragging all day with lack of energy and just feeling exhausted. My friend also felt drained so we decided to hit the road and head to an outlet mall that is only a 40 minute drive away. It might be a good thing it was pretty close because after only 30 minutes the spinal pain started firing up so we had to make a few stops on the way. Sadly I only lasted an hour at the outlet mall. It was a perfect driving day though and its so relaxing looking at the open road and all the untouched fields that haven't been destroyed by human hands yet. AMEN! Regardless of the pain it was a relaxing drive on the way up and back. We didn't buy anything but I just enjoy getting out of my house-jail and feeling a bit normal. Its nice blending in with the rest of society and putting Gastroparesis in the back of my mind. 
down
Boy! If only Littleblue could talk! If only she could drive! Its mornings like today that I realize sometimes Gastroparesis not only leaves you extremely vulnerable but darn helpless as heck too!
Once my Mom left to head back to her house I called my specialist and was questioned why I didn't get the blood work and tests done he ordered over two weeks ago. OOPS! I paused for a moment and honestly said, "I meant to have them done but since I have to get the scan for the cyst in my chest next week I figured I would do both at the same time." It sounded good but it didn't work and I was firmly reminded things need to be done ASAP. Sooner not later. 
cheeky
My friend walked around with their jaw on the ground seeing this mall is full of people who know the word: EXCESS! With high end retailers that scream $$$$ and endless woman with more botox and silicone that could stop any pool leak it was clear to me these people were not in the land of reality. Once we passed the Apple store one would think they were giving phones and laptops away. WOW! What I was really thinking was maybe these people need to put the phone idea to the back of their over stuffed pocket books and instead take that money and help some of the families who lost everything in yesterdays vicious storms. Amazing isn't it when your sick and you can smell snotty, rude and obnoxious folks from miles away?...I wasn't impressed by the lack of common curiosity with the over rated mall and its over rated bad taste in clothing people (not to mention is Edward Scissor Hands their hair stylist?) who walked around with their noses up in the air.
After taking a walk in another world we decided to go back to the house seeing I was still feeling off balance and this boat feeling needs to dock soon! With all the new things I am doing to see if it helps improve my health I am also back to every other day juicing. Scary enough near the good stuff is the jug of really, really bad stuff. YIKES! Its enough to scare the food out the refrigerator! Hahahaha! Two more days to go before another treatment begins. My how time flies by when you are faced with fun in a jug...
hug me
I came close to another record breaking time before finally being able to sleep! My brain finally won the fight dealing with the burning pain, nausea and vomiting around 7am. I started my new meds but of course it could take 2-3 days before I see any relief. By then I will be right back to drinking the darn liquid dynamite. It just never ends. Its like a bad replay of the movie, "Groundhog Day."
This afternoon literally turned into a weather nightmare. Later this evening those who live in the area realized just how fortunate we truly were since they estimate so far around 17 tornados in just a few hours. How we escaped I have no idea but someone must had been looking out for those in the surrounding counties. Sadly some were not so lucky. They say during the worst crisis is when you find true heroes and those who risk their lives to help others.
don't ask
I had to chuckle and was a taken back a bit looking at a young blond haired woman who was ME! WOW! This was obviously the first year of my Gastroparesis diagnosis and when we first moved into the house. My friend had to do a double take and could only say, "WOW! That's YOU?!" Yes, for me it was also the good ole days but looking back at some photos I realized just how far I have come and for the better. Funny how life works isn't it?
It was wonderful taking a glimpse back in time and I am so glad to have had such a compassionate and kind hearted neighbor. He will truly be missed but never forgotten.
I just knew since this last treatment hit me way too fast I would still be paying for it a few days later. Here I am and on top of no sleep I have the worst pain as if someone lit a torch around my stomach. FLIPPIN OUCH!
Since I can't eat I figured why not try to get my mind off the pain, nausea and waves of vomiting by cooking for others. It was a great idea to get my mind off of everything and it always helps a bit to stay busy! I opted for my mixture of fruits and vegetables I juiced from my Jack Le Lemme machine, Slimfast, SmartWater, MetroElectro Water and a 8oz bottle of non fat chocolate Nesquik. Zero solid foods seeing drinking liquids already aggravates my angry insides quite enough! At least the overload of vitamins I now have to take on a daily basis might help me a bit. So far I can't tell much if any difference but its only been three days. 
I am back on my treadmill in the evenings hoping to get some relief from the stomach and intestinal pain. Let's just say I am drawling straws here and willing to try anything to keep me out of the local emergency room. With flu season just now starting I am also back to wearing my masks when out in the public. I will have to continue through spring and summer when allergy season they are predicting will be the worst yet. My head can wait! 
I got some beautiful yellow roses today and it was exactly what I needed to brighten my day. The fur kids enjoy smelling them although one of the fur kitties decided to take a bite out of one of the roses this evening. It must not had tasted so pleasant because they left the half chewed piece on the table for me. Hahahaha!
celebratory
A place everyone could go and ask questions, exchange ideas, vent and most important to connect and find lifetime friends.
I am happy to say every goal has been attained and the online GP family has truly been a huge blessing in my own life. I call them my family and I am sure everyone in the group also agrees because there have been friendships established that continue to test the hands of time.
We are a tight knit family and what one goes through we all go through together. 
I want to say, "Thank YOU" to all my fellow GP family members for being my rock and strength during some of the most difficult times in my life. You have all taught me so much over the years as you continue to inspire me to become a better person.
