Mood:
d'ohNow Playing: Day 778-The Final Road To Survival
Well at least the generic Drano aka Hell-In-A-Jug is staying down far easier than the name brand ever did! I also don't have to worry about gagging on the extra salt chlorine taste with the generic brand. Not that it isn't there but it just doesn't taste as strong and it also seems to stay down without coming back up through my nose. UGGGG!
We had work come out just a WEE bit too early this morning. I assume they didn't realize I had treatment so was unaware 10am might be a bit too early to start breaking up concrete on the side of the house. I have come to realize you can't expect or assume that the world understands your medical journey. Especially if you don't speak up. This afternoon I finally decided to break down my own concrete wall and spoke to someone I have known for over eight years regarding my unique medical condition and situation. Let's just say I might share certain things or parts of my life on this blog but I still have details of my life I keep extremely private. I was always known in highschool as the gal you could tell a secret to and trust it would stay as such, "A secret." Now as an adult there are many times I want to be ME and not ME with Gastroparesis. What I have also became aware of is sometimes you can't be yourself minus a medical condition and you need to be both. It would be great to run from Gastroparesis but sadly each time I have tried it quickly found me. Hahahaha! Telling someone you have known for over eight years that your medical condition has changed and progressed since the first and last time they heard of anything can be a bit shocking for them. I saw it first hand today but you know what? It felt good to be upfront and honest regarding my unique situation as well explaining truthfully why me and my ex are no longer together. "When you get sick not everyone can handle or wants to be around it. I am not the first to have it happen nor the last but you live, learn and move on with life making sure to fill it with those who do care and want to help." I have come to realize maybe we both just really didn't know much about each other to start with because two very private people doesn't always make for a very public conversation. It was nice to talk as adults and work out our differences and I finally have a glimmer of hope once again that not all people are the same. Some do care and others don't. Its up for us as patients to decipher the difference between the two. Sometimes it won't happen right away but eventually over time even caterpillars show their true colors.
Me and my friend-Caregiver and the fur gang had a very nice, low key and relaxing Memorial Day. My friend has been serving in the Army for almost 15 years. He not only helps to protect America but also took on the roll to help me. He recently gave up a rank promotion so he could remain in the states to help me medically and continue providing assistance around the house. When people like him give up important things in life not because they were told but because he wanted to shows the utmost support and act of selflessness. If only the world had more people who cared without being asked then maybe it would be a better place. He will not be re-enlisting next year even though he is only five years away from retirement. Why you may ask? Because he said, "Who would take care of you?"
Good point.
Thank you Eric for not just serving our great country but giving a huge part of your life in order to help me with mine.
A team of 3 is now down to a team of 2 as my surgery day comes a bit closer. We are looking into nurse home care options and a few amazing GP friends of mine are also looking into their schedules to see if they might be able to help. My dear friend Kevin who lives here said he would be more than willing to step up to the plate and help too! For now I am going to become like the Bears and hibernate in order to get myself back on track. Stress up here must go back down there. I only have one me and I only go around once in this lifetime. I can't lose anymore precious time for hope in others but instead must now believe in myself.
"Wisdom is knowing who deserves a second chance. Courage is knowing the next time will be the last." -Mark Amend
bright
The heat is upon us again today! I can't wait for some cooler temperatures instead of it feeling like August outside. My head issues-Seizures/migraine/tremors are sure not enjoying the extreme temperatures either. At least the dark sheet that plays as a make shift curtain blocking the sun from the back of the house into the living room so far has been working! It now stays super dark so I am not awakened by sunlight or migraines/tremors. Now it takes around 15 minutes to set everything up blocking the windows from any sunlight before going to sleep. Its a routine but after awhile you get used to it. 
This could make for one HUGE basement FLOOD if either its not finished within the next 24 hours or if someone gets doesn't get plywood and plastic large enough to cover the entire area. To make matters worse the workers left huge mounds of dirt through out the yard. This of course was after there was hours spent the past week cleaning up weeds along the fence line which was a waste of time. My friend-Caregiver spent most of the day working outdoors just catching up on the last bit of landscaping and cutting the grass. He now has a Memorial Day filled with dirt removal from one end of the yard to another.
WHOA! I "attempted" to clean the cars out later this afternoon which was going fairly well until the heat got the best of me. I am lucky for Gatorade and Pedialyte. Last thing I need is another trip to the hospital so it looks like the great outdoors will officially be off limits for this gal when the temperature exceeds over 83 degrees.
quizzical
What started off this very interesting day was seeing a 12 year old girl outside my back bedroom window doing hard manual labor which consisted of shoveling solid dirt to dig a 2X2x12 foot hole. OK. My question is once again what is wrong with people? What happened to society? Are we that in dire need to save a buck by having a 12 year old girl help her poor Dad out in 94 degree temperatures???? WOW! My last question to this sickening scene is where are the individuals who make child labor laws to protect the children? No. We did not hire this help. Someone else did.
Now for the end of my adventurous day called, "Do you really know someone?" This goes for those whom you might have known for years but do you really know them? I have found out some very shocking information regarding those who been very misleading about themselves. I "thought" I knew them but clearly I do not. Once again I question the behavior of people around this city. My faith in mankind is slowly dwindling..."The problem isn't the problems. Its the people who are creating the problems." Needless to say this house circus needs to not have anymore side shows. The air needs to be finally cleared. No PUN intended!
Today was the last day enjoying a trip to the local park. The heat is getting to be just way too much for this gal. My Gastroparesis also dislikes heat along with the connected seizures/migraines.
Back to the park...
Since my holiday weekend will consist of me, a few glasses, red Hawaiian punch and a large jug of liquid Dynamite (Drano) my friend suggested we go out and do something. I couldn't agree more and lately with surgery on my mind and the house mold repair problems still lingering I flippin need a break! CHEERS TO THAT!! What seemed like a great idea didn't last but a few hours. Same with driving. Once we walked outside and started driving my head games began. I took all my medication but even after arriving at our destination it didn't get any better. The air indoors was musky, stuffy and humid. I was bummed because we rarely get a chance anymore to go out and have some fun. My good days are few and far between. We had an early night but the fur kids didn't seem to mind. After a disappointing evening and trip it was nice to see happy tails greeting us when we got home. This is going to be a very, very long weekend with no relief so far between medical/house issues in sight. 
happy
Where has the time gone? It feels like just yesterday when I bought Littleblue's first little pink dress. Now the only part of her that fits into the dress is her front paw. Hahahaha! Maybe "HUGEBLUE" would had been a better name!
Since this has been Littleblue's week she has been treated to plenty of walks at the local park, new chewies and lots of new toys and treats. Oreo hasn't complained one bit since Littleblue has been nice enough to share. Even her birthday shirt from last year barely fits. She has grown up to be one beautiful "BIG GIRL!" 
I wish my Gastroparesis would allow for more outdoor time but the sunlight and heat continue to easily get the best of me. We are suppose to have work started on the house repairs this weekend but we will have to wait and see. Thank goodness for no rain in the forecast but I sure won't be enjoying this crazy heat!
My dear friend John finally made his first trip out west to look for a new home since getting his new job with the government. He will be living in Napa, California and I couldn't be happier for him! We have been friends for almost nine years and had a bet for the past eight to see who would be the first to move out west. He always wanted to live in California and me-Nevada. Looks like one down and one left-Me. Hee,hee,hee,hee... So not fair the amazing photos he shared with me today. SOOOO NICE! John is hoping to finalize his move by the end of next month and if anyone deserves true happiness its him. CHEERS to John in finding his dream home!
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY MY LITTLEBLUE XOXOXOXO
chillin'
Happiness to me is new emery boards and clothes that ACTUALLY fit! Its also finding a way to better darken my sleeping quarters so the spring/summer sunlight doesn't get the best of my head.
The spring and summer sunlight also got to me around this time last year and usually makes my seizures worse. Arm tremors drove me nuts today so if I need to make the front part of the house darker then welcome to my new bat cave. BOO! Talking about literally sleeping with the VAMPIRES...My friend-Caregiver said this evening, "Wow! this is going to make the room so dark that I might have a hard time now waking up." Hahahaha! The things you must do being sick. Crazy isn't it?
Who is that masked/sunglass woman anyways? Hahahaha! My joints and muscles are still sore and recovering from the last round of seizures so walking is a win-win for this gal. Hopefully I can catch a longer break and get back into some sort of routine but with Gastroparesis you don't live for tomorrow. You live for today.
celebratory
As a Idiopathic Gastroparesis patient I have found through the years that when there is bad news ten times as much good news soon follows! What has been pouring into my mailbox, email and cell phone has been an amazing amount of support from those who have decided to step forward helping to raise Gastroparesis Awareness. This blog that I started over two years ago has not only been a way for me to express myself but also a means to help others understand the many ups and downs living a life with Gastroparesis. 
You can write it out, map it out and even plan it out but sometimes life doesn't always go as planned. 
With any bad day there is always a silver lining! My doctor called later this afternoon with my lab work for my kidneys. Luckily I won't have to see another new specialist to add to the current list of 18 and instead I will just have to follow up additional testing with my Nephrologist. My friend also upon getting the mail brought in a package filled with amazing news in the fight for Gastroparesis Awareness. Indeed the Gastroparesis Awareness Campaign Team and GP family should be very proud! 
I have quickly come to realize that when people alter their outer appearance it also alters their soul.
In the world of pain and suffering, true heroes can be found...providing special comfort and relief. They choose to make a difference, regardless of the cost...always willing to help others in their grief.