Mood:  bright

Boy! did it feel GREAT to finally catch up on some additional sleep! It also felt great to feel some cool air outside while letting the fur kids out to play. It felt better to get mail that didn't include more bills or medical letters declining tests, etc.

It is of course Easter weekend although to me it feels like any other day. My friend-Caregiver will be celebrating Easter by my side even giving up a few holiday traditions himself. He doesn't have to but said, "I want to." We were both invited to a few gatherings at friends with their families but Easter should be spent with family and that tradition should be preserved. We also felt we would be interfering on their family bonding time so this year although not by actual choice we must start new traditions of our own. This of course doesn't mean we are happy about it and who would be after 40 years being used to celebrating holidays with your own family but sometimes life happens and everything has a purpose and reason. Some of my family decided they had no intention to celebrate Easter with me nor my friend-Caregiver but that's ok, we will celebrate Easter together with the fur kids. A few other friends out of state are also celebrating Easter solo but they don't have a choice because they lost family due to those being called far too early to Heaven. We learn a lot from each other and together stay strong. Amen.

My friend-Caregiver had to buy a few new yard tools and a weedeater so we took my crutches and headed out to run a few errands. It always feels good to get out of the house. I would love to work! I miss working! Its horrible not working but I do the best I can with life and whats in front of me. Instead of helping out in the yard I played Manager while my friend-Caregiver deweeded and touched up the flower beds and the fur kids played window Supervisor. Hahahahaha! My friend Kevin has been busy with his family today putting up a new swing set for the kids. His Mom has officially welcomed two new Grandchildren to the family making the total six! The nice new swing set should keep them all very happy! I couldn't believe they finished everything in one day but when you have family you have teamwork and amazing things can be accomplished. The yard and swing set turned out super nice! GREAT JOB KEVIN & FAMILY! They have a huge family and close extended family so it will be a large Easter gathering for them but something they all look forward to each year.

This afternoon me and my friend-Caregiver got out the eggs and Paas coloring kit for our own pre-Easter celebration. Since all the few kids minus Littleblue will be 14 years old this year they are used to watching egg decorating. Precious, Cuddles and Bear kitty sat on the table while Littleblue and Oreo waited for the final egg touches. They are so much like kids, too cute! They even let us put on Easter Bunny ears as they posed with the newly colored eggs. OK. So Littleblue wasn't too much for the Bunny ears but she did like the eggs. Hahahahaha!

With the new holiday traditions me and my friend-Caregiver decided this evening to have a pizza & "Ghost Adventures" marathon! Him-pizza. Me-watered down Slimfast and frozen yogurt. The pizza smelled great but after yesterdays tests and all the doctor appointments this week I need to continue playing things safe and not cause my body any further problems. I picked up my new prescriptions and started taking them today. Since the kidney issues haven't magically disappeared its just one more thing for my Gastroenterologist to deal with regarding my weekly Hell-In-A-Jug/Drano treatments. There is a new medication on the market he can get however it doesn't come without complications. Its injectable and "suppose" to help clear your intestines. Although they are doing their best to keep me from having to go this route it might be inevitable. For now since I just started the antibiotics they have held off my treatment today and for the rest of the weekend long enough until I am finished with them Tuesday. Funny, Tuesday? That's the same day my kidney tests come back. Mere coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. Time will tell...

Later this evening once we got the living room couchbed and recliner situation me and my friend-Caregiver got the Easter baskets together for the fur kids. We also decided to make baskets for each other and hide them tomorrow. I got to play a bit with my new wigs and pose with Littleblue for a few holiday photos although I tend to think she wasn't too thrilled with the idea, hahahaha!

You can never be too old for the Easter Bunny. Its all about B E L I E V I N G.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EDT

Updated: April 8, 2012 3:31 AM EDT

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Mood:  not sure

Time to play catch up!

I haven't been able to go online the past few days catching up on emails, etc due to a extremely busy and stressful week. I am hoping by the end of this weekend to finally be all caught up! Today is also my last day this week for doctor appointments and tests. Thankfully the last appointment of the week isn't until later this afternoon since I didn't get much sleep last night and I really needed to catch up on a few zzzz's....With so many things to accomplish today I decided to set my cell phone alarm for 1pm this way I had plenty of time before my 4:40pm appointment and tests.

It looks like cooler and fall-like temperatures will be here to stay until early next week. Much dryer weather too that allows plenty of outside playtime for the fur kids. By the time its 11pm they are beat! The kitty gang have been enjoying lots of sun lounging during the day which also leaves them quite tired by early evening. Precious has been lounging with the Easter Bunnies in the spare bedroom the past few days. Pumpkin kitty has been caught by my friend-Caregiver literally laying on them. Hahahahaha! They are too funny and keep life interesting to say the least!

Honestly with the holiday weekend upon us I thought for sure we would hit lots of rush hour traffic on the way to my doctors appointment as well those who are traveling for Easter. With only 15 minutes to spare because a last minute phone call from my insurance company had me running late we still made it right on time! In fact I was the last appointment for the day not only for my specialists office but as well for the tests. BONUS! My friend grabbed an empty chair and TV remote all to himself since I was the last patient for the day. My insurance company hasn't been too kind to myself nor my specialists over the past year. In fact not only am I feeling the heat but so are my doctors and in between fighting for coverage with medical necessity testing others are fighting the insurance company on important medication coverage. Who knows what "will" or "won't" be covered today. I guess I will find out once I receive my medical claims in the next few months.

There were five health care workers who all showed true compassion and took very good care of me today! So maybe things didn't turn out as expected which is why once again I expect the worst but hope for the best but also expecting the unexpected. They needed to run further tests today to go over some problems that showed up during my hospital visits and tests. One test showed an enlarged right ovary which to most would seem abnormal but to my surgeon it wasn't because this same ovary was repaired by both of my surgeons four years ago. There were no signs of ovarian cancer, tumors, cysts, etc. GOOD NEWS! Second they ran a test to specifically narrow in on the left spinal pain that runs around my hip down the groin area and leg. It has also made my left leg continue to be numb down to my knee. What they did find during the scan and test is once one person pushed down on the exact area front to back my bowels were visibly seen fused together. My intestines are more of a tangled mess than even my surgeons expected since they did their best during my last surgery to untangle them but nope, they are fused again. This is not only causing me pain but also applying pressure to my poor spine and wrapping with them nerves that are slowly dying and being strangled. MYSTERY SOLVED! My Neurologist hit it right on the nail yesterday during my appointment because he believed it was two issues at the same time working against each other and he was right! So no ovarian cancer but one fused mess of bowels and nerves which not even the best surgeon can determine if the pain will ever ease up but now we all fully understand the importance of staying on the ole Drano treatment. AMEN! One good thing was they could see clearly through my lower bowel and were able to determine there were no perforated holes. Just another reason why I must be careful and stick on a liquid diet.

I "thought" I was in the clear from one specialist off to the last tests for my kidneys. I don't feel any upper left or right flank pain. I don't have a fever. The only odd thing is the past three months I have been noticing fluids retaining for very long periods of time before I am able to pass them. My friend-Caregiver has also noticed some signs that something isn't quite right. Since my other specialist felt things were mild and in the beginning stages there was really no reason for me to add another specialist onto the existing 16 but that quickly changed. Once the tests were completed I quickly got pulled into a room with a doctor who clearly asked some very specific questions then reviewed prior tests that my Gastroenterologist ran two years ago when he suspected function problems starting with my kidneys. The doctor was very honest by telling me my urine still has quite a lot of blood in it with no signs of kidney stones, UTI or any other infections based off of a list of tests recently done. There is problems with the function of my kidneys or more like "lack of." I wasn't sure where she was going but felt maybe I couldn't handle anymore bad news so I said, "Basically what you are saying is my kidneys, both of my kidneys are not working properly and its very serious." She shook her head in agreeance. The doctor then said, "Your Gastroparesis can affect many GI organs due to the extensive nerve damage. You are a very complex-complicated case. Retaining a large amount of fluid in your kidneys is not normal and usually is found in those who have declining kidney function. I understand your concern in not wanting to add another specialist and clearly you already have a great team of doctors but you will have to start seeing a Nephrologist."

DANG IT!

I now found myself shaking my head then I said out loud, "This just never ends does it?" I could tell the doctor felt badly but tests are tests and you can't fool the final results especially those run more than once. She then asked if I needed any stronger pain medication and then wrote me out a script for medicine to start later this evening as a precaution. Its important I don't get any infections especially now so better to be safe than sorry. The lab had to sent out my urine to a facility out of state so I won't be getting the rest of the bad news back until late Tuesday. I was given the name of a Nephrologist they want me to start seeing next week not that I don't already have another specialist appointment already lined up. I went from going down to two appointments left to now two, three or who knows how many more.

I have learned today that sometimes things don't end but I have gained additional patience. I have also learned its far easier to get bad news when those who are giving it to you are kind, compassionate, supportive and concerned for your overall health and will work hard to get you feeling better. Maybe some things can't be fixed but like she said, "If we can get one problem under control that is one less thing you will have to deal with." Amen. So as a pro I walked towards the front of the desk on my way out and said, "I hope you have a great Easter weekend!" The medical staff turned around, smiled and said, "You too! Have a blessed Easter." How many people do you know who can be told your kidneys are starting to shut down and take it with a grain of salt then turn around on their way out to smile and wish those a Happy Easter? I know who-Me.

My friend-Caregiver didn't need to ask any questions since he heard most of the conversation but instead helped me the rest of the day to keep my head held high. Its easy to handle bad news when its backed by support. Amen!

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:39 PM EDT

Updated: April 8, 2012 2:18 AM EDT

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Mood:  lyrical

I have quite a few things in common with fellow GP'ers, their family and friends. Words of advice we all share:

"Expect the worst case scenario and the unexpected with Gastroparesis. This way you will never be disappointed and when you do get good news it will turn out instead to be GREAT NEWS!"

Life is strange and nothing too crazy surprises me anymore. I am almost to the point of seeing it all. Sadly sometimes even being put in the middle or blunt of it all. Not a fun place to be but life allows you to go out the exit door and not partake. My doctors have continued to be a very strong support team making sure I am as comfortable as possible and no matter how bad things might get they have my back.

I didn't sleep very good last night. Between not finding a comfortable sleeping position and things weighing on my mind I got around 4 hours of sleep before my cell phone alarm went off at 11:45am. I had an appointment at 1:30pm however I had a strong gut and hunch it would be canceled. I also thought I heard the home phone ring and guess what? Once again my gut was right on target! Not only did the phone ring but a message on the recorder clearly stated my appointment had been rescheduled for next month. Honestly I wasn't a bit surprised seeing when people question your level of intelligence being sick those same people end up making things harder on themselves. Amen. So me and my friend-Caregiver instead decided to jump ahead on house chores and let the fur kids play outside in the backyard. At this point between having to make three phone calls regarding other matters I was finally tired enough to go back to sleep. It also helped having some assistance from pain medication my specialists called into the pharmacy.

My friend-Caregiver initially went to pick it up for me but guess what? Since I had medication stolen from me and actually taken up to the pharmacy and filled they now have a new policy with narcotics that you must show your ID. Times that policy by 100 on my account seeing it was that one time having medically necessary medication and prescriptions stolen from me that forever changed the pharmacies policy regarding controlled substances and showing your ID. If I ever wanted to put that part of my life behind me sadly it won't be anytime soon. I deal with it every time I pick up a medication. Seeing like most who have dealt first hand with those who are addicted you hope they will change for the better and for themselves but you can't change people. Learning experience #110 on my end.

Since I finished the rest of my treatment the other day I forget to empty the rest sitting in the refrigerator down the drain. It was interesting watching the toxic mixture literally go down the sink drain and see the reaction when I turned on the water. It bubbled for around five minutes so just imagine the power it does to your insides. It sure made my jaw drop! YIKES! No wonder my stomach and intestines get so darn inflamed for the next three days and I get gastritis on more than a few occasions. No wonder my teeth are also suffering! If it can do this to your sink and drain I am sure it can easily eat away your insides. So....My friend-Caregiver picked up some new Listerine today that actually helps prevent tooth decay. Now the great question is can it stop decay due to liquid Drano treatments? Only time will tell but you can call me, "The first guinea pig" this evening.

My friend Kevin sent me a few messages today regarding the new Jesus statue they are going to rebuild up north that he saw on his way home from work. This is the same church where a record tall statue of Jesus holding his hands up to Heaven caught fire during a horrible storm a few years ago. They start work on it next week. We always talk about the statue since it is so well known in the city. He said, "Hopefully this time they put plastic sandals on Jesus in case of another electric storm and they don't make him out of fiber glass. WHEW!" I can only imagine how much this new one will cost that they already named, "The light of the world." Kinda strange to name it that seeing wasn't it lightening that took the last towering statue down? UMMMMM?....

My poor friend John who moved from up north down to Ft. Knox this past fall is having one heck of a time with the transition and all the horrible storms. Unfortunately he moved right in the middle of the Midwest line of fire for nasty weather. He is already wanting to move but more importantly just misses his friends. Much like myself he dreads the holidays anymore since he doesn't have any family. I always tell him my door is open and the fur kids said to stop on by but I know its hard and sometimes its just easier to be by yourself. We have fun though exchanging funny text messages and photos. These were just too cute and true not to share!

Here's to a happy upcoming Easter holiday weekend even if you have to celebrate in your own unique way. Amen!

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EDT

Updated: April 6, 2012 3:42 AM EDT

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Mood:  celebratory

No sleep for those in pain so instead of tossing and turning then looking at my cell phone alarm I decided to just get up and make it a productive day!

Littleblue has become our new alarm. Once she is ready to wake up she gets everyone up. Her new thing is to stand on the couch or floor and stare at you with her tail slowly wagging. She teases my friend-Caregiver pretending like she has to go outside but really she just wants him to wake up! Hahahahaha! She sure is one smart fur kid!

The weather outside is perfect today! I love fall weather and today it is only suppose to reach a high of 67 degrees. It was a great day to let Oreo and Littleblue outside to play. My friend-Caregiver enjoys playing frisbee with Littleblue and sometimes she brings us her frisbee in the house when shes ready to play catch. I am doing my best to keep gravity on my side while utilizing the cane and crutches. On a good day with plenty of rest is far easier than days like today with limited sleep which means not much energy. Darn, I remember back in the day in school when I had to use crutches and it seemed so much easier! Now after just 30 minutes I feel like I completed a high impact workout. My specialists are hoping with time it will get easier and I sure hope they are right!

After six phone calls the kitchen cabinet full of post it notes slowly dwindled down to just three. One is for my tests and doctors appointment Friday, one for a meeting tomorrow early afternoon and the other is for hopefully my LAST doctors appointment next week so I can at least take a little bit of a break. Hell-In-A-Jug day is right around the corner as I am advised to go back on a strict liquid diet. WATCH OUT WORLD! This means my irritability will be in full swing! Hahahahaha! I would love to stick a few people I know on the full liquid diet just for the learning experience. Might help them to see how it finally feels living a Gastroparesis life.

I forgot last week to mention the status of the Greyhounds up north. I am extremely happy to say a local city Greyhound rescue group is working very closely now with the owners as well the county. They will be providing better shelter, more land for the Greyhounds to run and proper care for the ones who are sick. Help doesn't come to humans or wildlife when you are silent and I am so happy to hear things will finally be better for the beloved Greyhounds. Hard work truly does pay off! Amen!

I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls.  They always say because it's such a beautiful animal.  There you go.  I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.  ~Ellen DeGeneres

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EDT

Updated: April 5, 2012 1:09 AM EDT

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Mood:  sharp

This is getting old!!!! I feel like I have plenty more patience to give but sometimes one pain affects you completely different than the others when its in your tailbone area and wraps around your entire leg. I can't sleep on my left side, I can't sleep on my back and I can't sleep on my right side unless I continue to hang my left leg over the couch or rest it on the step stool. The living room is once again looking like a make shift medical supply store. Hahahahaha! Add crutches now to the mix. Whether I like it or not I must admit keeping weight off my left leg and spine is a heck of a lot better than constantly enduring the stabbing hot nerve pain! The wheelchair is a great idea but its still uncomfortable to find a position that doesn't make things worse.

With not much sleep last night I still managed to get up once my cell phone alarm went off at 1pm. 1pm to most is a time you wake up during vacation but trust me being sick and disabled is NO VACATION by any means. Its exhausting but far from fun. Amen! I had post it note reminders waiting for me once I got up and I wanted to try getting through most of them before my Neurologist-Neurosurgeon appointment later this afternoon. This week and next week I like to call "Hell Weeks" but I must keep in mind all bad things eventually do come to an end. My friend Kevin always makes sure I keep those exact words in mind when having a stressful day.

Between the insurance company, Cobra company, Court docket office, legal offices, SSD office I am COMPANY-OFFICE MAXED OUT! Hahahahaha! I did accomplish all my necessary phone calls just in time to leave me a few hours to jump in the shower and take my time getting ready. I am not sure why some people think just because you are sick or disabled you are less competent than others. Lately I feel like I am being constantly challenged with my level of intelligence. Sorry to say folks but being sick actually makes you smarter and far wiser! I like to say us "unique" folks are more in tune with life in general. We also by far work harder than the normal person. Give us a challenge and I bet we will not only succeed but also prove you wrong. Titles for any job are just that "Titles" and it doesn't necessarily mean those who are disabled can't learn to do the same job. It might take us a little bit longer but I bet the finished product will turn out better because we take our time. Like I said, just because someone has Gastroparesis or any other disability doesn't mean you should question their abilities.

By the time I got ready and helped to clean the house up a bit we headed off to my doctors appointment just in time for rush hour traffic or so I thought...3:45pm and we actually were ahead of traffic! Once we got out of my specialists office it was 5:30pm and surprisingly on the way home we didn't hit much work traffic either. WHOA! The drive was smooth but it wasn't a smooth ride for my back so I do my best not to take too many car rides for now. This week must be an exception since I have another important event to attend Thursday then back to my other specialist Friday and a few more tests. This is definitely going to be a low key Easter weekend for this gal!

I don't expect to be cured by any means or a magic wand waved over my tired insides. What I do expect from my specialists and have yet to be let down is pure honesty and a lot of medical education. My Neurologist-Neurosurgeon said, "You have a lot of nasty things going on inside your body that are causing you various types of pain. Its smart you are not taking strong narcotics that will only make your GI issues worse. I am not sure if or when things will get better with your spine and trapped sciatica nerve. We could try you on light physical therapy but I am afraid since you have other serious problems going on we could possibly make them worse. I don't think we need to put you in any further pain." Me and my friend-Caregiver totally agreed! They do want to run an MRI but I can't even sit still longer than five minutes without the pain getting worse. This presents another problem so for now I was asked to try my best keeping weight off my left leg if all possible. The nurse said, "Since your right leg and hip are compromising for your left side you are going to end up with problems as well with that leg so do your best using medical means whether the crutches or wheelchair to give your body a break." I agree.

So we left my specialists office with exactly as expected-more information and medical education. Maybe not a cure or a magic pill but remember I am the type of person who does better "in the know" than the "unknown." Since I still have quite a few tests and doctors appointments over the next few weeks they will wait to see what things show and then my team of amazing specialists will take things from there. Its a very strong possibility there isn't anything further they can do but try to manage the pain. I am looking at a 90% possibility. If only my tired body wasn't so tired they could discuss surgical options but those are out of the question so for now I continue to take things one day at a time.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EDT

Updated: April 4, 2012 1:14 AM EDT

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Mood:  lazy

I sure hope this month passes as quickly as last month! So far my kitchen cabinet keeps growing with post it "TO DO" notes. As soon as I got up today I quickly added three more. YIKES! This might become the dreaded month of April and today is only the 2nd.

With two specialist appointments lined up this week on top of other things that must get done I am already feeling mentally exhausted. Its one thing to be physically exhausted but a completely different situation having both at the same time. I didn't get much sleep last night due to nerve pain making its way around my left leg. Luckily my Neurologist-Neurosurgeon decided to bump up my appointment so I see him tomorrow. He totally understands the nerve pain I am experiencing but needs to make sure I continue having proper blood flow to my leg. This afternoon I did my best utilizing the crutches and although it did help a bit with the lower spinal pain it also was tiring as heck so I quickly gave up and resorted back to my cane.

Last night we had some wicked storms and once again the summer like temperatures have made their way back. The constant change in season is starting to effect all of us so we decided to have a very lazy evening...My friend-Caregiver's allergies are finally getting to him so he is even utilizing wearing masks outside. The grass grew back in a matter of days so once again it will need to be cut. Masks work great but not 100%. I have a hunch it will be a restless night of sleep for him tomorrow and a very exhausting week for me.

"Man - a creature made at the end of the week's work when God was tired."

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EDT

Updated: April 3, 2012 2:02 AM EDT

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Mood:  cheeky

Wow! We are going on the fourth month of the year 2012 and honestly I can't even keep my days straight anymore. Hahahahaha! I thought today was Monday and asked my friend-Caregiver once we got up mid afternoon if he got the mail yet. Ummm...Its Sunday not Monday. OOPS! My days just blend together anymore same with it being April 1st when I was just getting used to it being March.

Since the weather has been nice the past few months we have seen an over abundance of what I like to call the "unpredictable, relentless folks."

Neighbors have been sharing their own stories of various escape routes while another neighbor actually put up a very long blind for their front door so the religious teams don't literally keep looking into their window to see if they are home. Hahahahaha! Others go into hiding then peek to see if the Bible team players have left their porch. Yes! this is crazy but starting to get annoying for everyone. This morning around 11am we had our own knock at the door. For crying out loud, not again! We just had two Mormon's this week, two Jehovah Witnesses last week and now they have come back again? I told my friend-Caregiver, "Don't open the door, this is nuts!" Of course once we got up around 3pm I opened the front door instead to find a proposal for houses on our street to be bought by a church around the corner.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!!

Since when have you heard instead of churches helping those to stay or keep their homes are now trying to purchase or push them out? WOW! Just a shame how churches are becoming nothing more but outlandish businesses not caring for their members but instead about the almighty $$$$. Didn't I just blog about "Good VS Evil" the other day? Now we are all being put on high alert again hoping the not so warm and friendly church doesn't try to take property from those who have lived on the street for years. It was just three years ago the same church tried their darnedest to buy portions of residences backyards in order to put in more parking spots. They must had forgotten they already had enough spare land of their own to extend their parking lot. Once things had resolved and the church backed down it had already angered those who live the American dream by owning their home. Now three years later its all starting again but since the first attempted effort went way, way wrong they are now just "offering" to purchase homes.

WOW!

Instead of the old kids song, "This is the church, this is the steeple, open the doors see all of the people" we now literally will see all of the people if a parking lot gets placed in every ones backyard. YIKES! Takes the words, "Sunbathing in the nude" to an entirely different level. Hahahaha!

So in between preaching visitors when least expected popping up on a weekly basis around the neighborhood we now have another church wanting to build parking lots outside our backyards. Some neighbors have told us the best way to counteract the behavior of religion gone bad is:

#1-HIDE! Don't come out until the coast is clear!

#2-Large blinds. If you get enough advanced warning pull the string and walk away!

#3-Come to your door naked. Hahahahha! I also had to laugh on that one!

#4-Ask for their address. This way you can let them know you will also be visiting them all days and hours of the week with your own Bible and religious beliefs.

#5-The Best! Speak in your own language. Just make it up as you go but make no sense. Laugh out loud!!!!!!! Could you imagine the facial expressions? I can only imagine! LOVE IT!

I have cleaned up letters, note cards, pamphlets, etc over the past few months that now I might just get some Gastroparesis Awareness Campaign gear together and educate them on true suffering. Amen.

I got a few funny church signs from fellow friends that are actually taken from various churches around the great USA. Maybe those who do what you aren't suppose to do which clearly says in the Bible need to read these as an example.

I belong to two churches. One after today I will no longer be attending seeing I don't agree with trying to buy or oust families from their homes. The other church I belong to is the same one I was baptized at although sadly it is a bit too far from my home. I believe those who want to pray in groups its wonderful to be part of a church family (minus trying to monopolize your parking lot) and you can always pray at home. God doesn't judge whether you worship inside or outside a building.

This Easter me and my friend-Caregiver wanted to attend Sunday church service but between my unique sleep schedule due to my illness and his work schedule it will be touch and go. I am hoping to find a local church that instead offers Saturday afternoon services. The rest of Easter will include me, Drano and the comforts of home. Hey, it happens and life happens. Change is sometimes inevitable but you have to take it one GP day at a time!

This concludes my Sunday online blog service. We don't take offertory but do welcome candy donations on your way out. APRIL FOOLS!Hee,hee,hee,hee,hee...

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EDT

Updated: April 2, 2012 2:34 AM EDT

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Mood:  d'oh

It's amazing that even I quickly forget in a blink of an eye that ummmm...MY GI TRACT DOESN'T WORK! DUH! Tell that to Uncle Ben who happens to be the most wicked Uncle I have ever come across! Three spoonfuls and that's all she wrote folks and if this box of rice looks huge next to this kid imagine how HUGE it feels right now in my stomach. UGGGG....

Note to self: NO MORE NOT SO BRILLIANT RICE IDEAS!

So today did start off on a better note until this evening when I made the horrible rice decision with Uncle Ben. S I G H...What was I thinking? That's the problem, I obviously wasn't thinking nor remember that rice is the WORST thing to sneak even if its only a few spoonfuls because in a paralyzed stomach all it does is E X P A N D...OK, I must close the Uncle Ben chapter for now and hoping to never open it again-literally. WHEW!

We didn't wake up today until 3pm but I am happy to say with help from a small white pill I was able to catch up on a bit of rest. My friend-Caregiver also caught up on some much needed sleep. He has been super busy taking care of things I no longer can do since I am limited with my leg and lack of energy. My doctors need me to keep a close eye as well on other things so I don't develop any infections. Thank goodness no fever or vomiting that isn't GP related. I am still having low blood sugar and low blood pressure issues but I had those for quite sometime now so its just things I have to stay on top of along with everything else. I told my friend-Caregiver today that I am starting to get used to the same pain which sounds crazy to say but I tend to think after two weeks you build a tolerance. Mine must now be off the charts! I have been using my cane, wheelchair and now my doctors have added crutches to the mix that way I don't put so much strain on my good leg. Its one thing my insurance company "WILL COVER" without making me jump through hurdles. Trust me, its rare!

Since I am getting beyond tired of being in my house-jail we decided once I got my test done this afternoon we would go venture out to the local mall. Sounds like a great idea but how soon we forget until I am placed in a bad situation what we forgot to take with us. DOUBLE DUH! The cane is great but the pain got to be a bit too much after an hour but not only that since I just came off treatment I forgot to bring my blood sugar monitor and my sugar started to quickly drop! Not a good situation to be put in and scarier for my friend-Caregiver but thanks to his quick thinking he found a table and chairs then quickly headed to find anything with sugar and salt. Since we forgot to bring the wheelchair seeing we moved it from the back of my car to inside the house we had to sit and wait things out until I no longer felt dizzy and cold. It took around 20 minutes and once I felt comfortable enough to stand back up I slowly caned my way back to the car and we headed home. THANK GOODNESS!

We both learned a very scary but valuable lesson which is to double check and make sure we have everything just in 'case' something happens while we are out. It would also be smart to buy a backup blood sugar monitor to keep in my purse. Later down the road we might just get another wheelchair so my friend-Caregiver doesn't have to keep playing musical wheelchair from the car to the house and the house to the car. Sadly I can't predict when my blood sugar levels will drop and although I do keep glucose tablets in my purse they don't always do the trick so its important I still keep candy with me. Its the great GP balance game which unfortunately many patients also have to go through on a daily basis but keeping calm is the key! I am fortunate to have my friend-Caregiver who lately is becoming an expect knowing what or when I need something and how to react quickly while staying calm. I also credit my specialists who work with him now so I get the best care possible. Amen.

This evening since I was already beat we decided to give my poor body a break and play the game of "Life" on Wii. It was pretty fun and guess what? I won the "GAME OF LIFE!" WOOHOA! Its about the only game of life I am winning, hahahahahaha! If only our lives were as easy as the game huh?

Need I say what happened after the game and helping my friend-Caregiver make his dinner?I think NOT!...

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EDT

Updated: April 1, 2012 4:00 AM EDT

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Mood:  d'oh

With the lottery hitting a record jackpot this week I have come to realize today the only thing I need is a DRANO ISLAND!!

I don't know what it is with treatment day anymore but its almost like some are lurking in the shadows waiting for Hell-In-A-Jug day then as soon as it gets here WHAM! lets hit her with some stress! I also believe some might even find fun in playing along. Not sure but its starting to become very annoying which is why I need "Drano Island" along with a helicopter awaiting me. At least I could be at peace and relax the next day while enduring the liquid nightmare hangover. Some could be tired of reading about my weekly nightmare but then again maybe you personally haven't had a delicious warm salt water treatment of your own. No worries! I have plenty here for everyone! Hahahahaha!

Oreo and Littleblue sure have been loving this weather and playing outside however things are about to once again change with more rain. GEES! Just when the ground was finally dry so looks like they will be taking a break from outdoor fun and instead have to be happy with short walks to the park across the street. Oreo is doing much, much better with his seizures. He still gets them from time to time so its important to keep stress at the house to a minimum. I think we both could really benefit from it! Amen.

I have a hunch this will be a very low key weekend since I am still dealing with the same spinal pain that now is rotating itself not just to the front but back of my leg. My right hip is taking a brutal beating compromising for my left leg. I have been a good patient though taking my medication and keeping my leg elevated and warm so it continues to get good blood flow. The last scan didn't show any blood flow problems or clots so that makes me and my specialists very happy however since this is a progressive problem it will get worse. I am blessed the other nightmares found on my catscan are in the first stages so for now I continue to keep my attitude in check and fight going strong! Its been tough sleeping in the same position with my leg hanging over either the recliner or my couchbed. At least I am starting on a routine with the recliner first then I move over to the couch before going to sleep.

A dear fellow GP friend of mine named Jennifer sent me a really, really funny and cute card about doctors today as well a beautiful bouquet of my favorite flower-sunflowers in various colors! Thank you so much Jennifer it was a huge surprise and you certainly had the right flower, love them! Its so nice to have my GP family and all their inspiration that helps to keep me motivated. Now I can wake up next to my couchbed and look at the colorful sunflowers and the best part is they smell great too!

Well off to deal with treatment and the horrible hangover aftermath. This photo was too funny not to share but instead of alcohol I definitely think far GREATER stories can be shared over a few glasses of Drano. Hahahahaha! By the way a salad sounds amazing! Eating it sure beats me constantly having to juice and drink it. Amen.

CHEERS to a better tomorrow!

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:59 PM EDT

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Mood:  sharp

"Money does not change people. It only unmasks them." If a person is naturally selfish, arrogant or greedy, the money brings that out, that is all.

There's a fine line in the sand between "making a lot of money" and "being greedy." Where is that line? It's around the point when you start to sacrifice yourself and your family all for a dollar. It's around the point when you start to throw away your morals and ethics for a dollar. When you lose sight of everything including common sense is when you are in real trouble. Aside from greed the bad karma that follows is bound to get you also in trouble.

I have seen and personally met people through out my life that do well and then those who don't do well when coming into money whether by inheritance or a successful business venture. I have also seen truly good genuine people change into someone that I don't think they even recognize in the mirror all because of money. Its sad when you think about those who suffer in the world but still have the heart to reach out to others who also suffer then you have those who live high off the pig that gain nothing but inhumanity by the almighty dollar. Someone told me today that those who reach a high financial statue should be set a limit via through the government when their income meets expectations and forced to donate a small percentage to an organization helping others who are less fortunate. I agree. I also personally feel that the individual should be told to take one full day once a month working along side a disabled and less fortunate person unlike themselves so they can appreciate where their money is going. This will also humble any individual who doesn't know the true meaning of suffering. Amen.

Sure. These are wonderful ideas but this is the real world where such a thing would never happen.

I woke up around 2:30pm today feeling extremely dizzy and cold. This could only to me mean one thing. Either my blood pressure was once again running a bit too low or it is my blood sugar. I carefully got my leg up and moved it off the couch then stumbled into the kitchen to test my blood sugar level. Sure enough! way, way too low and no wonder I am feeling horrible. The sugar rush begins once again so between candy, glucose tablets and gel I was finally able to get my sugar level back up to a safer range.

The weather has been picture perfect the past few days and I sure wish it could stay this way all year. 68-70 degrees is perfect! The park in front of my home has been quite busy with walkers, bikers and then those just enjoying some time in the sun. Me and my friend-Caregiver have been doing our best to get out and keep my spine from locking up. Same goes with my leg so its been a toss up between the ole cane and wheelchair. We both came upon the most sweetest thing in the world walking around the park when an elderly couple was sitting on the park bench as the husband was reading a book to his wife. We both couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. Its rare moments like this in life when one realizes the small things that matter the most. In a world where you meet and see thousands of people it only takes one instant to truly touch your heart.

I finally have all my specialist appointments lined up for next week as well a few more tests. Sure, there will be no surgery in my future but its important my doctors stay in close communication with my overall care. I "thought" Drano would be placed on further hold with everything that is going on but once again that quickly came to an end as I was advised to start treatment late this afternoon. My Gastroenterologist doesn't need any more complications nor hurdles to jump so its better to be safe right now so unfortunately I had a date with Mr. Hell-In-A-Jug this evening. WHEW! If spinal pain and a numb leg isn't enough imagine the pain after treatment and the intestinal inflammation that follows. Ready or not Drano here I come!

With all the craziness and changes going on around me the mail brought a smile in a package today. One of my dear friends in Florida sent me another inspirational ocean rock to add to my collection. This one was perfect and is called, "Expect Miracles" along with a beautiful stone plaque to place near my Bible in the living room. Thank you so much Arline, you made my day!

My friend-Caregiver has been put through the ringer lately as he continues dealing with changes that have been brought on by helping me out. What those who are healthy fail to understand are the responsibilities that are placed upon a Caregiver. He doesn't get paid nor asks for any award but what he gave up in his life not because he was asked nor told but because he willingly stepped up to the plate seems not only to me but many others certainly unfair. He gave up his house in order to help with mine. He gave up a recent promotion with the Army in order to help me out. He did a shift change in order to be here for me so I am not alone while enduring treatments and could go with me to my doctors appointments. To anyone with a heart any person who puts their life on hold because they want to help someone sick or disabled is a hero. Instead he has been through hell and back all in the name of support. Just sad isn't it?

If I had the energy instead of just spreading awareness for Gastroparesis maybe I should also focus on raising money for the Caregivers and those who put their heart before their wallet. Amen. Instead I can only hope that either I hit the lottery or others who want to help step forward. Not because they have to but because much like myself they too have a heart. Amen.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:11 PM EDT

Updated: March 30, 2012 5:13 PM EDT

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