Mood:  d'oh

This is a great comparison!

Hmmmm...Which is better? Drano or Drano? Seems they both claim to stop pesty clogs and work the first time around. Both are toxic. The only difference is the size. One comes in a jug that looks like you can lift weights with it while the other is in a nifty average size container. Hahahahaha! I believe the Hell-In-A-Jug aka Drano would do a far better job clearing clogged pipes than the store brand and heck! you can even toss back a few glasses or two or three or four or why not the entire jug yourself?!! Wow! Drano you can use and consume! What a deal! NOT.

Two days left until my next treatment and I am dreading it! More so this time around because allergy season is in full swing due to this crazy weather. Snow one day then flowers blooming the next. I had to start back on my steroid nasal spray because my head is already stuffed up which brings on my seizure issues and takes them to an entirely different level. Bring on the boat because its almost that time again to be sent out to sea as my balance issues fire right back up again. I might as well just go into hiding for the next six months. I used to enjoy spring and summertime but this was before of course I got sick. Forget telling you the last time I went on vacation and if I ever plan on taking one again it won't be until early fall and winter when my head issues can take a break. Gees!

Oreo has reallllllllly been enjoying his new huge bed! This afternoon it appeared he had a new sleeping buddy Cuddles kitty who found an open spot on his bed. Oreo tolerates the kitty gang although I won't say they are his bestest buddies, hahahahaha! At least he is learning to share and that's all that matters.

This evening I was able to finish up my important forms and changes regarding my will and medical power of attorney. I can't believe how many signatures are required. Its like signing your life away. WAIT! I guess you really are but to others! Hahahahaha! OK. I found it funny. Hee,hee,hee,hee...My friend even joined in as he made changes of his own. Just part of life and we all go through it one day or another. One dreaded part out of the way for this gal and hopefully I can say the same thing for next week after my "I lost track" of dental repairs. Amen!

I am still trying to adjust with the recent time change. Spring ahead and fall back. More like spring ahead and stay asleep! My body is all confused and so are the fur gang. When its time to sleep they are all out like a light. Hopefully that makes two of us tonight for some and early morning for others-myself. Well you know how the VAMPIREEEEEE schedule works thanks to good ole GP. ZZZZZZZZZZ.......

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:11 PM EDT

Updated: March 13, 2012 3:53 AM EDT

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Mood:  on fire

Is it me or when you are sick and handed the terminal card you become increasingly more AWARE of your surroundings?

This could include at home, work, out in public or better yet-on the road! I can personally answer that question with one word. YES. I know some are tired of me saying this but sorry folks I have to say it again. Since I have been sick I have seen the best and the worst in people. Mostly the absolute worst!

Maybe I am more aware of my surroundings because I want to take in everything or maybe its because my body is just wanting to focus on something else besides being sick on a daily basis? Maybe its just because the world has way far too many idiots walking around in plain view? Hmmmm...I agree with the latter of them!

Since the past few weeks haven't been too kind I have been doing my best to still get out and enjoy life a bit. This included a few rides up north. The outlet mall adventure was a short lived one seeing the shops were ridiculously overpriced and nothing caught my attention. My friend was ready to buy some sweaters to stock up for next year and a pair of hiking shoes but even they couldn't even find anything. It was a very brief trip to the outlet mall but something caught my attention on the way up and back. Are you the type of person who is fully AWARE of their surroundings which include looking around on the open road while driving? Are you instead the person who keeps their focus directly on the car in front of them fixated the entire way? Not this gal. I have been driving and traveling for years during my career. This was before Gastroparesis took over my life. I always kept my eyes wide open looking in front of me, behind me, to the left and to the right of the road. Let's just say those recent trips up north and the one to the outlet mall opened my eyes to another group of idiots who roam the great USA.

I like to call those types of individuals the "Extreme Cruelests."

On the way up to the outlet mall me and my friend were taking photos of all the beautiful open farm fields. Ahhhh....What a great and relaxing drive until I just happened to look around and see what I first thought was a pig farm with dog houses. Yes! My thoughts exactly so I had to do a double take and instead realized they were puppies and dogs out in the open field with limited shelter on a night where the temperatures dipped into the low 20's. If you think that is cold enough for you just imagine these poor pups out in the extreme temperatures! Boy did that strike a nerve in me! Hey! At least I do have a few working nerves left in this body! Hahahaha! I asked my friend if they saw what looked like a prison camp in the middle of an open field and they replied, "Yes but I sure hope its not what I think it is."

A puppy mill.

So a day passes and of course when something bothers me it tends to not let up... If I have a gut instinct on something I usually get more than a few signs. I not only got the signs but acted on them. It has been bothering me what I saw on the open road. As I was being AWARE of my surroundings I became AWARE of some heartless people and cruel conditions. I became AWARE of individuals once again who choose money over life. Maybe its because my animal gang have been the more loyal and dedicated to me over the past eight years than any human being has so I have a huge heart for the wildlife. Maybe its because some of us in life were meant to be great human kid parents while others like myself were destined to always be great fur kid Mothers. I have tried time and time again to get those images out of my mind but I just can't. It bothers me right down to the core! So instead of letting it sit in my brain and brew I decided to quickly do something about it. What I have found out the past 48 hours is sickening!

Seems what I thought were just a few puppies in an open field being exposed to extreme cold and limited shelter (if any to start with) actually are Greyhounds. Call it a Greyhound puppy mill to be politically correct. WOW! Its one thing to be extremely cruel by not providing adequate shelter but upon further investigation it appears these individuals are breeding Greyhound pups and having them live in an open field next to all places but a MAIN INTERSTATE! First call it not providing shelter as a breeder and second call it others looking into the situation and not finding even a license to breed in the first place. Where are these Greyhound pups being sent is the real question? Some have suggested they are being shipped out of the country while others believe something else in going on behind the scenes.  

Can we say DUMB?!! Chalk up a few more to add to the list of IDIOTS who live in the great USA...I can't get too much into further detail but those who are also huge animal lovers and fans of the wildlife trust me by saying, "This gal won't stop until once again the fat lady sings." That won't be anytime soon either! Hahahahaha!

I guess one could say while you are still leaving here on earth the good Lord uses those for various reasons in order to help others-even the fur kid kind. Mine must be to provide wings over those who can't speak for themselves. If that holds true then I sure hope when my time comes Crystalblue is waiting for me next to the golden gates of Heaven.

This story to continue...Don't worry this gal never gives up without a fight and that doesn't always just include medical reasons either. Sometimes its up to others to make a difference by not standing back but standing up. Amen.

I attached some photos of families who have adopted Greyhounds from a Greyhound adoption agency here in my home town. Just look at these adorable faces and how much love they bring to others. My ultimate goal is to have these Greyhound pups rescued and also given the chance to be loved.

 To the individuals who are doing the unthinkable I believe this photo says it all!

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:11 PM EST

Updated: March 11, 2012 3:54 AM EST

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Mood:  not sure

Nothing quite like having to take a walk at 5:30am due to achy pain and nausea. While the rest of the world is fast asleep I am just hoping to be able to catch a break! I tried sleeping but it felt as if I was laying on bricks due to the inflammation and pain. At least Oreo and Littleblue didn't mind the early morning walk but once we got back in the house they were both out like a light! My brain also won the battle once sheer exhaustion finally took over.

Today marks the last day of testing for the week and hopefully for the rest of the month. Better yet the rest of the year! I was smart to schedule my last tests for later in the week. Fridays are the best days for any hospital testing because employees are in a mad rush to get off work and head out to start the weekend. I told my friend to bring a magazine in case I am stuck in testing for a few hours. It seemed like once I was taken back to a changing room I was quickly whisked away to another room then another room then right back to the changing room. Talking about fast! I sure wish my dental appointments went that quickly but instead I am right back there again next week to finish up more repairs. Its a never ending battle with my teeth and only to be expected with the weekly treatments leaving a path of destruction. I might be finished with testing but doubt I will ever be finished seeing my dentist. I won't get my test results from today until Monday and Wednesday next week but not to worry nothing phases me anymore. My motto: Expect the unexpected then you will never be disappointed. Seems to work for me so far and when I do get good news I am actually surprised!

Since the tests went quicker than expected we decided to run some errands because I only have a few days left before my next treatment. We also only have a few days left until Daylight Savings time begins. UGGG! Now instead of waking up between 2-3pm it will be 4-5pm. Yep, looks like VAMPIREEEEEE time is here again! BOO! Less sunlight means less head issues and I am not looking forward to spring or summer and the combination migraine with seizures.

Oreo loves laying on his bed next to the new entertainment center but lately his bed has seen better days. I decided since we were out anyways why not stop by to get him a new bed. Once we got home the fur kids were happily waiting by the door. Boy! do they know when they have a surprise in the bag but this surprise wouldn't fit into a bag. I didn't realize I bought Oreo a bed that is much larger than his other one but he didn't mind a bit. In fact once we put the old bed in the washing machine and came back upstairs Oreo showed his sign of approval by laying right smack down in the middle of his new bed. The rest of the night you know what he was doing right? Yes. Lounging on his new bed! Hee,hee,hee,hee...

When faced with GP you must also face the sound of music and the hard core facts. Gastroparesis shuts down nerve function one organ at a time. Since being handed so far this year some bad but factual news it was inevitable to get my Will and Medical Dual Power of Attorney forms completed. This evening I got both finished and told my friend I would leave them all the jugs of Drano but they can't have my candy! Hahahahaha! Yes, its tough facing the unthinkable but I refuse to leave anyone in limbo regarding my final wishes or medical decisions. Trust me by saying anyone could get killed in a car wreck or some freak accident tomorrow so its important everyone is prepared. I don't hear the fat lady singing just yet and I still have things to finish up here on earth, those to help and then those to annoy. You know who you are, hahahaha! Who's laughing right? Right! *WINK *WINK! Yep, I am still a smarty and still love to laugh. Sorry GP but you can never take that away. AMEN!

"For a gallant spirit there can never be defeat."

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:11 PM EST

Updated: March 10, 2012 5:27 AM EST

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Mood:  d'oh

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."

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:28 PM EST

Updated: March 9, 2012 12:37 AM EST

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Mood:  special

sup·port·ive

Providing encouragement or emotional help.

The one thing that is critical for a successful Gastroparesis journey is support. Being supportive to a patient means being caring, compassionate, understanding, kind, forgiving, defiant, strong and motivated but mostly having the ability to think outside the box.

Today was once again a grim reminder for me on how Gastroparesis can progress one organ at a time leaving a path of destruction. There is no turning back. There are no answers. There is no specific medication. There are no cures. What is there? HOPE.

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.

I feel strongly that Arlene's ideas and creative talent are very important for not just Gastroparesis patients but others who suffer from various chronic terminal conditions.

Please take a few minutes out of your day to help Arlene & Brianna get "Bibi Wear & Bibi Bear" on the shelf! Let's together make a difference and at the same time help raise Gastroparesis Awareness!

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:11 PM EST

Updated: March 8, 2012 3:57 AM EST

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Mood:  d'oh

Oh yes! Its a full moon week and so far one heck of a strange one too!

So much for my dentist appointment. I slept horrible and so did Littleblue. Between the nausea, vomiting and pain my body is screaming for treatment today! Once I turned over and looked at the wall clock it was 1:30pm so I figured at least I had another 30 minutes to sleep before getting up but NOPE I didn't wake up until 2:45pm. DANG IT! My dentist appointment was for 3pm so I called my dentists office to explain that I had a very rough night and morning so I needed to reschedule my appointment. Thankfully my dentist knows alllllllll about my unique medical condition and totally understands my bad days so they had no problem moving my appointment to next week. Of course I don't feel any pain since I have so much nerve damage so that's a good thing! At this point I just need to start feeling better soon and hopefully this afternoons treatment might help!

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 way to start the day!

Since my dentist appointment was a complete washout I decided to go ahead and get my blood work done and tests at the hospital finally completed. I am only three weeks behind. OOPS! At least my doctor will finally be happy but I can't help it seeing my full plate has just been way too full and its hard to keep up with things in between treatments. After 5pm all our local hospitals clear out pretty quickly so we had no problems finding a front parking spot nor had to wait too long to register. It was just myself and another person waiting to get tests run. A woman was waiting but looked more like she might had been taking a late afternoon nap! Hee,hee,hee,hee! 

No complaints here since its flu season and the least amount of people the better off for this gal! By the time we sat down my name was called back to the room. The hospital staff member was surprised to actually see someone with a low blood sugar problem-hypoglycemia since most people she said have high blood sugar problems and are diabetic. Seems the other woman who was there for blood work had high blood sugar problems and was getting tested to see if she needed insulin. For someone who just had to get her finger pricked one would think she just got her arm chopped off. OWWWWW! That is all both me and the technician heard and we both just smiled then the technician said, "If she thinks that finger prick hurt she sure wouldn't want the needle in your arm right now and all these vials of blood that need to be filled." Nothing phases me when it comes to pain but I guess I haven't heard anyone like that so petrified of needles and one little prick of the finger. It might be good she doesn't have Gastroparesis because BOY! would she been in for the ride of her life when it comes to pain. AMEN.

On the way back to the house we stopped by to get my prescription refill of liquid dynamite. The pharmacist looked at me and said, "Why are you smiling?" I replied, "Its because I am waiting for you to give me some bad news and that the insurance company decided to go back on covering it so this is my give me the bad news smile." Hahahaha! He chuckled and said, "Nope, we FINALLY got it to go through but guess what? I haven't met anyone like you so we never carry eight jugs with 32,000 units of surgical bowel/colon prep so I had to order from the drug manufacturer. It will though be ready to pick up tomorrow." I smiled and said, "Looks like my friend will have to pick it up seeing I am stuck with the Hell-In-A-Jug treatment this evening and into tomorrow so I am bathroom bound for the next few days." We both laughed, hahahaha! I feel sorry for my friend who has to walk out of Walmart tomorrow with eight gallons and a Santa Sack of Drano goodies! WOOHOO! I think its a great UTube video in the making don't you?

We didn't leave Walmart completely empty handed. Since I ran out of candy once again doing the low blood sugar battle I stocked up then bought Littleblue a new chewie hoping to keep her busy while I have to endure treatment this evening. She gets super excited with new chewies! Oreo honestly could care less and the only time he is interested in them is only to tease Littleblue and start trouble. Hahahaha!

Even with name brand Drano compared to the generic they all still vary when it comes to taste. Kinda reminds me of how each treatment also hits you. This darn jug tasted like straight up foul stale ocean salt water! UGGGG! I had my friend take a sip and they gagged. It was one of the top five worse jugs to consume but I made it through glass after glass while staying busy around the house. I would like to say I stayed stress-free today but darn me allowed it this time to happen. I need to start learning to put a lid on it especially during treatment days because stress during treatment can be deadly. I know. I should already know better but I am still a work in progress. Live and learn and maybe next time I will remember "NO STRESS" since treatment will most likely now go into another day. Half this evening and half tomorrow just to get things working.

WHAT A START OF A VERY LONG WEEK!...

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:11 PM EST

Updated: March 7, 2012 3:21 AM EST

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Mood:  happy

Around 3am Littleblue kept looking out the window then she would come over to me and start howling. Of course this woke up Oreo who was sound asleep and even I was close to drifting off to lala land! OK. So after a few minutes of having Littleblue stare me down I got her leash and opened the front door and guess what I saw?

SNOW! BEAUTIFUL S N O W....WONDERFUL SNOW! GLORIOUS S N O W! (Yes, I was singing this too! hee,hee,hee,hee!)

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!

Although this was suppose to be treatment day I still have been dealing with the nausea and intestinal pain so I wasn't feeling safe. Tomorrow I have my second round of dental work then I must come back home to start the ole Hell-In-A-Jug. I guess I better enjoy today before being back down for the count.

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.

I have a very long week ahead of me so the rest of the evening was spent taking it easy and catching up on bills. I sure hope tomorrow will be my last dental visit and I can catch a break for once! Its a different life when you are sick. You must accept your condition and embrace the changes it brings. What I will never accept though is lack of respect from others. So far my stress has been kept at a minimum as I continue making positive changes to live a better and higher quality of life.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:11 AM EST

Updated: March 6, 2012 2:12 AM EST

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Mood:  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!

Around 3am I started getting ice cold, dizzy and feeling a bit brain fuzzy. I stumbled into the hallway to crank up the heat then turned on the small heater in the living room next to my couchbed. That sure didn't work so then I put on an extra layer of clothes and socks. At this point I figured it might just be my blood pressure playing games with me due to my vagus nerve damage. Once I checked my blood pressure it was running its typical low but nothing too low to have me worried. Remember I had two pieces of solid chocolate at the mall earlier in the day then I had my normal chocolate at the house that I must consume in order to keep my blood sugar up. Surely there is NO WAY that my blood sugar could be low and maybe its just the opposite, a bit too high?...My doctors always tell me its a must keeping sugar by my side! To any normal person who has healthy GI organs what I must consume would leave them with sugar readings in the 200's but not with my UFO body. I agree with them that I just can't break anything down nor absorb what my body needs. GEES! So I decided to get my monitor out and check my blood sugar levels and I was shocked! How the heck could my blood sugar be 65?!! Its not as bad as last week when it came up 58 but I wasn't feeling well and it was also after my Hell-In-A-Jug treatment. Hmmmm....So I made a phone call to my doctors on call line and was told I needed someone to run to Walgreen's or another 24 hour pharmacy to pick up some glucose tablets and gel. GEES! Of course Littleblue couldn't drive so I had no choice but to call someone to pick them up for me because I was far too dizzy to take the risk getting behind the wheel.

Around 3:30am the doorbell rang and my Mom was kind enough to pick up the glucose tablets and gel. I had already consumed some fruit juice as well half of a Gatorade and a bit of Slimfast. I was nauseated as heck too for downing whatever I could find but I don't need to pass out due to my blood sugar being too low. My Mom stayed for 20 minutes which was long enough to run my numbers again on the monitor. Anything over 100 is wonderful sound to my specialists ears and WALLA! 115. WHEW! 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.

One gets tired of dealing with tests and hospitals. Especially ME! Looks like this coming week will be a busy one. I already have my second dentist appointment to get my other two teeth repaired from the darn Drano causing enamel damage then I have the scan at the hospital and now I must fit in another visit to the hospital to get tests done for my pancreas, liver and kidneys. They are hoping to find a connection with my low blood sugar issues. Honestly I must agree with my Gastroenterologist that with Gastroparesis there is no turning back. The condition does progress over time and does effect all GI organs. That would include my liver, pancreas and kidneys. Maybe I just don't care to hear anymore bad news. Not that it would phase me. I have become a pro at bad news and its just something else to continue the good fight by keeping my boxing gloves laced tight! It is what it is sometimes but I must keep my team of specialists happy. They work extremely hard helping me to beat the odds and I should never forget that!

Drano day is scheduled for tomorrow but anymore it all depends on how I feel. I must listen to my body and heed any warnings before doing treatment. That means sometimes it might go into the next day but I have already grown used to it...

So this evening I took it easy and once we got home from running a few quick errands I kept busy doing some odds and ends around the house. Even feeling tired and beat I must always remember gravity and GP are best friends! Amen.

Thank you to my dear friend Arline for the beautiful ocean stones all the way from Florida. I couldn't agree with you more by saying, "One just never knows what luck the ocean can bring to others."

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:52 PM EST

Updated: March 5, 2012 4:37 AM EST

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Mood:  cheeky

 GP Life Motto: Try, Try, Try and Try Again!

Today is a day I am determined as ever to find something, anything at this point that will make my Gastroparesis and connected problems a bit easier. AMEN! So far it has been around four days since starting all the vitamins and I haven't felt much difference as far as energy. Heck, I didn't wake up till 3pm today and could had just slept in all day. I am beat! I dread this next Hell-In-A-Jug treatment and just hope to goodness it isn't near as wicked as the last one.

Since I am still dealing with nausea and intestinal pain I figured this might be a good day to head to the mall and get some walking/exercise. They say even light exercise helps the digestive process as well maintains good blood sugar levels. If that is the case I might as well walk to China! Hahahaha! Honestly after stopping at the Godiva store inside our ritzy upscale shopping mall and getting two pieces of dark chocolate candy I was still feeling a bit dizzy and off balance. I am sure my MS isn't helping matters nor low blood pressure problems due to my Gastroparesis but give this gal some credit because I walked both levels of the mall. WOOHOO!

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.

Sorry but YES! I went there! Hee,hee,hee,hee

I guess you can say this normal, genuine, down to earth gal doesn't fit into their clique. Instead I left that mall thanking myself for being "ME!".

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...

Later this evening I played with the fur kids a bit to get some of their energy out since the backyard is too muddy for them to play. Hopefully we will see a week of some dry weather for a change! With spring just around the corner I can only imagine how this season will effect my head issues on top of my GP. Ugggg!

For now I am keeping focused and staying grounded trying change after change after change. You never know, maybe I might get a huge surprise and something might just work! One can only hope!

"Life is a coin,
You can spend it anyway you wish,
But you can only spend it once."

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:58 PM EST

Updated: March 4, 2012 5:02 AM EST

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Mood:  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."

Since I mostly did nothing but tossing and turning I also kept Littleblue and Oreo up. By the time I turned over to look at my cell phone it was going on 3pm. Talking about sleeping the day away! WHEW! I knew from watching last nights weather we are suppose to have some wicked storms today. At least at this point I better get up and take a shower then do anything that uses electric before the wicked weather arrives. Since my house falls on the same grid line as the huge mansions down the street with enough trees to fill a forest I am always prepared for the worst when bad weather is in our forecast. Me and my friend got together flashlights, candles and also made sure the back up sump pump was working. Last thing I need is another flood in the basement! As quickly as I got out of the shower and got dressed the lightening and thunder had already arrived. Thank goodness my friend took the fur kids outside once I got up because the wind and rain was horrible! On top of that we had tornados popping up all around us. 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.

Please keep those who were affected by the severe storms and tornados living in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana in your thoughts and prayers tonight. If you have time to donate please do so to the local Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky Red Cross.

http://www.redcross.org/where 

Please also keep the beloved fur kids in your hearts and help all the rescue teams by donating to the animal rescue team of the "Humane Society of The United States" or send donations to your local animal shelters.

www.humanesociety.org

We were some of the lucky and fortunate ones who only sustained high wind damage. Picking up fallen tree branches is minor compared to those who are left picking up their lives.

Numbers 6:24-26
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:55 PM EST

Updated: March 3, 2012 3:08 AM EST

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