Mood:
sharpNow Playing: Day 780-The Final Road To Survival
Me:JEALOUS!
Friend: At least I'm not burnt yet.
Other Friend: You need a vacation but I forgot two other people who are suppose to not be selfish are taking it for you but glad you have us sweetie! :)
Me: Why does the courts make it so darn difficult to do a first and last name change? One would think I was part of the Mob or something. Hahahaha!
Other Friend: Maybe you are?!
Friend: Bring your Dranotini's with an umbrella on over, hee,hee,hee,hee...
Other Friend: You can always move down south and my family insists.
Me: Dranotini's for all! Only if you share with me. :)
Friend: BAH! I might then actually get burned!
Me: Hey, I need to continue this new lease on life but if only you all lived in Nevada then I would take you up on that offer.
Other Friend: Then moving we shall see Kalyani! By the way I like that name and the meaning sure fits you to a "T!"
Friend: You will always be Kimberloo to me. :)
So maybe this isn't South Beach but for those of us who suffer from Gastroparesis life is far from a beach to start with in fact some of us like myself instead of walking in the sand I get to drink it. Hahahahaha! Others would never know what its like to suffer but in life just remember no one is invisible when sickness comes calling but make sure you have support. AMEN! I was recently called, "Selfish." I don't know how seeing I am not the one who is constantly vacationing across the great USA. Some folks sure are SILLY aren't they? Then some of us like myself are just plain SMART.
BULLSEYE!
Today was once again a new start doing my best to get some additional walking in order to help prepare my body for the upcoming surgeries. I am also getting the legal side of things finalized in preparing for surgery which includes who can be present during surgery and who my surgeon and surgical staff will be talking to regarding post op and follow up therapy. Me and my friends are just hoping the surgical team down here won't back out and instead have the Cleveland Clinic team take over, YIKES! I can't even last past an hour in the car whether alone hours driving up north. NO WAY! If they bow out of the high risk surgery then this gal might as well start living like I am dying (Isn't that a song?) Hahahaha!! Maybe a bad joke to some but you can't always let serious situations in life take every bit of humor you have left inside of you.
Speaking of NOT a laughing matter...
Poor Oreo puppy hasn't been feeling like himself the past week so I decided its time to take him to see his Veternarian. He has a very hard time laying down and standing up. He won't climb steps anymore so you have to carry him and when he is taken on car rides you have to pick him up so he can get into the car. After his appointment last week at the groomers we all noticed quite a few small bumps located on the side of his stomach, back legs, spine and one on top of his head. His tremors are also getting a bit worse and so has his hearing that started three weeks ago. Oreo will be 14 years old this December but to me he will always be my big puppy. He now sleeps next to Mommy at night by my side while Littleblue keeps my feet warm. I think he likes the feeling of being comforted. I think we all do!
Instead of taking him to see his Veternarian earlier this afternoon we decided to go this evening since it is less crowded. Littleblue also went as moral support. I think Oreo however was more nervous than Littleblue but since she tagged along we also decided to get her weight on the puppy scale. Oreo weighs 39 pounds and Littleblue topped off at 50. WOW! She has become a BIG GIRL!
I have been seeing the same Veternarian for years. Actually almost 14 years to be exact and he remembers me every time or maybe its because my sweet Pumpkin kitty decided to bite him during a surgical procedure. Hee,hee,hee,hee! Regardless he knows first hand I treat all my fur kids with the best care. They are my kids. Since getting up in age poor Oreo is starting to get not just one but many cysts. The original one which was found over two years ago and luckily remains the same size but the other ones are new. The Veternarian also said his arthritis has also gotten worse. This would explain why he is irritable and can't get comfortable. After he finished up Oreo's examination we were told he can no longer go up or down steps or jump onto things by himself. He will now need assistance. Since he is an older pup they can not do surgery to remove the cysts/tumors because it is far too risky. Because they are causing him pain they put him on two medications. Oreo's Veterinarian also said he needs to be limited on any activity however I did tell him the past few weeks he hasn't been doing much which is odd because he was always so active. Oreo will continue to be closely monitored for tremors/seizures and will not be allowed near other dogs which is sad since he has a new buddy next door but I know its for the best because he could snap at another fur kid. He said, "Littleblue understands he doesn't feel well. All dogs can sense when another dog is in pain which might be why lately she has been Mothering him." Thank goodness Oreo has his buddy Littleblue and we can still take them together for their daily car rides. For now I must continue keeping stress at a minimum which funny enough I have also been doing it for myself lately.
Once we got home they both got a last walk in for the evening and I got Oreo situated on my couchbed all tucked in with his blankie. He is very good with his medicine and the first round he took with no problem. At least now he won't be in so much pain and hopefully be a lot more comfortable. Being a fur Mom is the best job in the world and the benefits of unconditional love are priceless!
happy
With it being a holiday weekend and no mail delivered yesterday the mailman made up for it today. Included in a huge stack of mail was another huge stack of papers for my upcoming surgeries. I am still dealing with the first round. This is almost like signing your life away and I am not even in the surgery room yet! Hahahaha! It might be a good thing I still have a little over a week to fill the rest of the paperwork out and mail it back to my new surgeons office. Thankfully there are no other doctor appointments scheduled for the remainder of this month so it looks like I will be catching a bit of a much needed break! 
d'oh
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! 
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?" 
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.
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! 