Mood:
chillin'Now Playing: Day 784-The Final Road To Survival
Its a chillin with the villain which includes Mr. Drano aftermath. This also means it was a low-key day while my friend did most of the indoor and outdoor work around the house. Not to forget running a few errands and restocking me on lots of Slimfast and other fruit/protein drinks. At least the last purchase lasted me for two weeks since most of them I still have to water down so they don't come back up or get stuck through my twisted intestines.
Since we got a pretty good rain the other day my peach tree is doing GREAT! We are going to have lots of peaches by the middle of next month. There are a few that the wildlife have gotten ahold of but those are peach seeds that didn't take to start with however Littleblue didn't find them too tasty. She picked one off a hanging branch today and after one bite into the extremely tart peach seed she quickly dropped it. Hahahaha! Same with the mulberries in the backyard falling from the branches. One tart bite and that was it for her! Hahahaha! The birds and other animals however have been quickly eating them so its been nice not having to clean them up this year.
This weather has been perfect! I sure wish it could stay in the 70's year round. Its also been great weather for outdoor sports. My friends son has been keeping busy all weekend in between his games. This was just too cute of a photo he sent me not to share with Angel kitty by Christopher's side.
Hopefully the rain will stay far, far away for this upcoming week that way the rest of the outside house projects can get completed. They are calling for rain showers this evening into tomorrow however maybe it will stay farther down south. We just want dry skies so the new windows and drains can be installed. AMEN! Since there still is a slight chance of rain my friend had to fill one of the new holes back up with dirt on the side of the house this evening because the LAST thing we need is a flooded basement.
Key and goal for very successful upcoming surgeries is: NO STRESS. I plan on taking every precaution to keep it that way too!
Oreo has been stress-free the past few days and a very relaxed puppy. His hearing seems to be getting a bit worse but he can still understand you because even fur kids know how to read lips. The medication has been helping him out a lot and he has been slowly catching up on his sleep. It has also been helping him with the pain and today he seemed to be moving around a bit better. I am hoping his Veterinarian won't have to increase his dosage since the medication can cause liver failure. Why can't they make medication for people and fur kids without causing other problems I will never know but I assume its a smart way for the big pharma companies to make more money. Might be why I have run into a few faulty needles with my medication. They are too busy making money instead of safe products. It is amazing that people who think we cannot afford to pay for doctors, hospitals, and medication somehow think that we can afford to pay for doctors, hospitals, medication and a government bureaucracy to administer it. -Thomas Sowell
incredulous
THERE IS A DRANO GOD! 
Nope the Drano saga never ends nor does it ever get boring. There will always be some sort of funny story behind each jug. Kinda like today's Drano face. My friends called this one, "Bowser." Hahahahaha! Too bad ole Bowser didn't warn me of things to come. This jug hit me just way too fast that it almost knocked me on my feet. Literally! No, it doesn't make you mean or moody. Heck! Who has the energy to feel as such but instead it just makes you flat out tired and out of it. By 10:30pm I almost fell asleep watching the "Ghost Adventurers" with my friend.
That is very unusual for me but here I am chugging down as many fluids as I can in order to stay hydrated. Its been a Gatorade and Pedialyte night as my friend enjoys two special topping pizzas. One-Hawaiian three cheese and the other Chicken/Steak with feta cheese and white sauce. YUM!!! Good thing I was too tired to think about it further than a few seconds. I don't need to spend the night in the bathroom any longer than I will the next 24 hours. 
chatty
No WHEY! Say it isn't so! Ummm...Yep, it is so when finally I must bid farewell to any scaly ocean friends. Maybe taking a few small bites of fish yesterday evening wasn't so bright. Maybe when my doctors tell me to STICK to a strict liquid diet before my upcoming surgeries I should listen. OK. I will now listen. This was only after profound vomiting, hives, chills, fever and feeling extremely loopy did I finally GET IT. Why must I insist on learning the hard way? Oh I know...Maybe because I am hungry. Aren't we all hungry?.. (Gastroparesis patients)
Talking about no WHEY! Little did I realize my body actually does like and now tolerates small amounts at a time of whey protein drink products. My specialists have come up with a list and out of six I actually have found two that stay down and it sure beats living only a Slimfast way of life. I needed a long overdue break from the ole watered down Slimfast. I'm not saying it isn't a great meal supplement drink for those who suffer from Gastroparesis and can't tolerate the high fat content drinks like Boost and Ensure however after eight years let's just say it has gotten OLD. Protein is the #1 thing on my new diet plan as I make a step by step journey towards surgery. The new strawberry whey yogurt drinks aren't so bad either but those I do have to water down. When I must take in chocolate due to my low blood sugar since glucose tablets and gel are not enough I must also walk to help gravity work things down my paralyzed GI tract. If my friends were not in shape prior to meeting me now they could probably try out for a few marathons. Hahahahaha! One friend said today, "If I cheat with sweets at least I know being around you it won't go to my seat." Hahahahaha! Too funny! Gravity will always remain a Gastroparesis patients best friend. Sitting for a long period of time can be our worst enemy. I go online once a day which is in the evenings since I can't tolerate sitting around for too long at a time. Even after finally being able to sit and rest I still must take short breaks to walk around so the pain doesn't get unbearable. Gastroparesis life is sure one crazy life isn't it?!
RULE #1: Never take a loaf of bread around a group of ducks or worse a huge flock of geese unless you want to get chased or your gym shoes pecked. Hahahahaha! If we had a video camera it would be a top ten UTube video waiting to happen. Who would had known they were hungry seeing its a local park and surely they get fed from numerous people every day? I assume maybe since it was a rainy day and no one was hardly there they didn't get their daily loaf of bread or bag of popcorn. Once that bag was open it was ON! The white ducks weren't too bad although thank goodness we had gym shoes on "however" the geese came out of no where. All 30 of them including a family of five. Soon enough we found ourselves literally throwing the bread into pieces and doing a fast sprint as my friend screamed, "There's three getting ready to grab the back of your coat." YIKES!!! Might had been a good thing I had on his size extra large winter coat that was thickly lined because they must had mistaken me for bread. Hahahahaha! Oh it wassssssssssss toooooooooooooo funnnnnnnnnnnnny! I needed a good laugh and we sure did get one. 
We laughed all the way back to the car after having a flock of geese and some Mallard ducks follow us. Good thinking we left the fur kids at home. I couldn't imagine that scene coming out funny if we brought them along. WHEW! 
bright
Oreo has been making it a day of rest with his buddy Snoopy. He hasn't been too active and its pretty tough getting him up to go outside. Since he can't hardly hear you have to now walk up to him so he understands you then guide him to the door. The new pain medication is so far so good with very few side effects although he is still getting lots of tremors.
His Veterinarian called today to let me know he won't need to be re-seen but if he does get worse they want me to bring him back up to their office. Its funny how life can connect people in the most strange ways! Since I have been seeing the same Veterinarian for years we have grown comfortable with each other. So comfortable he shared with me his recent Colonoscopy test. Hahahaha! Yes, HE DID! He knows all about my Idiopathic Gastroparesis but the last time we spoke I was only doing treatment once a month and now I am up to once to twice a week with also an injectable medication. He said, "I felt great after two days of clearing out and I even lost two pounds but now I am so run down I have to leave work half way through my shift. I thought eating pizza would be a good idea to get some energy but was I wrong! I don't know how you do it but you do and that to me is a true testament to your strength and will to survive. You don't understand how harsh that stuff is until you have to endure it but I have total respect for you now." He also went into the prior days prep before the Drano aka Hell-In-A-Jug treatment and was very happy to share the news, "No polyps and no cancer."
sharp
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.
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. 
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!
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. 
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.
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. 