Mood:
luckyNow Playing: Day 2630-Next GP Chapter... Turning Lemons Into Lemonade :)
The week of St. Patrick's Day is not only a very lucky week, but it is also the time of year to reflect on another lucky accomplishment.
Today, March 18th, 2017 marks 13 years since my initial Idiopathic Gastroparesis diagnosis. Tis been a very, VERY long time!
I never went through the experimental pacemaker surgery nor did I opt for any type of GI organ transplant. My specialists always kept me away from any type of feeding tubes and other artificial means of daily nutrition. What we all do agree on is one thing... LESS is truly MORE!
Instead of opting for any type of experimental medical options that are offered to Gastroparesis patients. I always remained diligent to go against the grain. Always up for being the GP guinea pig whether that meant a new prescription supplemental shake, new organic drinks and even opting for advice from a few Amish doctors that my dieticians keep in touch with up north. Everything, through it all, has been trial and error. Even 13 years later............. Everything is still trial and error. Some days are good. Other days are bad. Isn't that life in a nutshell? We have to learn to take the good with the bad and continue life to the best of our ability.
I have learned that LESS not only means MORE, but I have also spared my body surgical mutilation from experimental GI, Gastroparesis treatments. I might be a dietary GP guinea pig, but I sure won't be an experimental GP surgical guinea pig. Amen! Less medications, less surgeries, less solid food-mainly liquids, LESS stress and far more reasons to smile and be happy in life IS MORE! I have no regrets with any of my decisions over the past 13 years when it came to desperately managing such a poorly researched and still to this very day, misunderstood GI condition. Gastroparesis.
I am more proud than ever to say, that I have yet to endure any further Drano aka Hell-In-A-Jug intestinal treatments. I still must rely on injections to help mimic an obsolete GI tract, but over time, it has gotten easier. With each treatment and each injection, it has gotten a lot easier to tolerate. Remaining on a full liquid diet isn't easy nor is it for those who don't have some serious willpower, but for me, it works!
Gastroparesis doesn't define you. Cancer doesn't define you nor any other illness. It only makes you STRONGER! Suffering is only part of the journey. What would life be without the struggles and lessons learned that come out of suffering? The good Lord will always make sure that you never walk alone. Even days as if you feel you are alone. YOU are not alone. YOU will never be alone.
To the Father and Son medical team back in Ohio. My 4 year prognosis, based off of your determination of the seriousness of my Gastroparesis, as well from years working with other Gastroparesis patients at one of the most well known clinics in the great USA, Cleveland clinic... 9 years later.
I am still here. I have survived!
#DETERMINED #BLESSED #LUCKY
"Survivorship means you are alive to advocate for research, to help those who need help, and to gain a better perspective on what life is really about – loving and being loved, giving and sharing.
WE are all survivors from the first day of our diagnosis and will each have a unique walk down the medical journey. However, we will all meet challenges, successes and failures that have been met and dealt with before us and will be met and dealt with again after us.
Each and every one of us have a responsibility to leave behind whatever knowledge and life experiences that will benefit those who walk the path after us."
Kimberly-Founder
Gastroparesis Awareness Campaign
Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg.
at 12:01 AM EDT
Updated: March 20, 2017 6:26 AM EDT
SAN PADRIQ!"
There is so much to be thankful for on this very lucky St. Patrick's Day! Instead of becoming one with overly intoxicated crowds, thanks but no thanks, we celebrated in our own unique way. At home and far away from the large festive crowds due to various reasons, not just those intoxicated. We were all once part of those crazy beer drinking crowds back in the day. 
Heeheeheehee! Talking about the look on Eric's face as festive Irish music was playing on our Comcast music channel as I reached for his hands to dance a few Irish steps! Even Snoreo got into the festive music or more so because we both were laughing so loudly that he also got excited! Heeheeheehee! It was too funny watching Snoreo attempt jumping up while we danced a little Irish Jig and everything else crazy in between! Celebrating all that is good, green and LUCKY! 
Of course, we can't forget wearing of the green and cooking a little something special for St. Patrick's Day which consisted of homemade turkey chili and stuffed peppers. As for myself... A Cocofusion, Molokai Coconut drink and pureed vegetable soup. TASTY! Eric's homemade chili... SUPER SPICY! We like to not only feel lucky, but eat mighty brave on St. Patrick's Day! HA! I miss all the cooking that I used to do back in Ohio, so why not carry on the cooking tradition today? St. Paddy's Day! 
CHEERS~
I was scheduled in hopes of once again, realizing my smile yesterday evening. I am always the last appointment of the evening with regards to needing to stay as far away from the public as possible with continued immunotherapy treatment. What was suppose to be a long-time-coming, a year coming in hopes of smiling again, didn't turn out as planned. Yesterday's appointment had to be cancelled due to my body making the decision of not realizing a dream. Not just yet. Dental appointment... Cancelled. 
Did I make it to my dental teams office? You bet I did! I smiled all the way through the front doors, into the famous dental chair, room 2 and through even more unexpected dental work. I smiled because I made it! I had come to realize a dream and I be damn if it was going to be taken away from me. Not this time. No way! If anyone has any type of prosthesis, then you will easily understand what I mean by saying, that you can only hope that your body will accept the prosthesis. The other part is that no one knows, not even the treating doctor or dentist, if your body will accept the foreign object. The prosthesis. As I was given an introduction, education on the newest material in prosthetic teeth and prosthetic gums to replace what tumors have taken away from me. I was also told that sometimes, the body will not accept the prosthesis. It is a learning process for not just the patient, but as well the doctors and dentists. Still... I remain hopeful. 
It might not be the smile I was born with and there is still another part of the prosthesis that needs to be finished by the lab, but it's my smile. I have decided to share part of my smile with everyone. I am no longer ashamed nor embarrassed. I have learned by a great lesson of pain and suffering that we are only as happy and comfortable with ourselves as WE allow. Not the person next to me, not the neighbors, not Tommy, his wife or his kids at the local store nor anyone else. Who are we to judge a story that we may not understand, whether alone, may not even know. It's my smile and I am darn proud of it! I am beyond PROUD OF ME! I made it through a very long, years worth, extremely expensive and more painful than words can describe, dental journey. I made it and that within itself is nothing but, POWERFUL!
SMILE~
We had absolutely no luck on finding a temporary rental property so this home can go through the proper legal channels. Litigation. Yes, it would had been 'ideal' to get out of dodge in order to allow for the bank, insurance company and other parties to proceed full steam ahead on a property that should had never been sold or listed on the open market in the first place. Just when we think we have seen it all in this new era, day and age way of renting homes via private sellers or rental companies. TRUMPED again! This time it was after a little slip up by another private owner with regards to charging potential tenants, those interested in their rental properties a $40.00 per applicant in each household fee for supposedly doing a background check, etc, etc, etc. The problem was that the private owner wasn't collecting fees for background checks, but instead was pocketing as much money as possible by those whom were interested in their rental properties. We accidently got wind of just how sneaky the individual was being with literally taking application money, yet was never renting the properties, only pocketing the $40.00 fee per applicant, per each individual in the potential tenants household. One call to the wrong phone with a voicemail letting the correct individual know who they should had called in the first place, that the money for the down payment wouldn't be received until they cashed a few other applicant checks. Down payment for a new vehicle which had nothing to do with the rentals. It was for his wife. 
Last weeks unforeseen storms, large hail and 70-80 mph winds took a toll on quite a few homes in our neighborhood. Since we live up on a country hillside, with open areas between houses, it made for a great disaster that was bound to happen! We experienced flooding in our basement, both upstairs and downstairs garage, fireplace, roof, windows and other areas of a home that was already dealing with pre-existing issues. Thanks to the prior home owners! I need not get into continuing to cry over spilt milk, but the nasty storms took their toll on our home and quite a few other homes through out the neighborhood. At least we didn't experience windows blowing out from the wind and large hail like some of those down the street from us. Some experienced a complete loss with roofs that peeled back from 70+mph high winds. We contacted our insurance company a few days after the storms once we realized that sections of our roof were laying in the backyard. The wind was so strong that it knocked over part of our chimney top on the roof and the 5 inches of rain in less than a few hours caused water to pour into our basement, garage and left quite a mess in our crawl space, ducts and around the foundation. 
After we contacted our insurance company, within 24 hours they had sent out their disaster team. These guys do nothing, but evaluate claims due to anything from earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, floods, you name it! This was actually a blessing in disguise because these type of experienced teams can determine the difference between pre-existing damage and damage that is caused by other factors such as last weeks winter storms. More like, spring and summer storms that appeared during the winter months. Our house actually suffered more damage from the hail, high winds and flooding than what we could only see with a naked eye. There was other damage found in the crawl space, duct work, foundation around the garage, gutters, all corners of the roof and the actual garage door. We already had problems with the house due to a fictitious disclosure. Sure... the sellers didn't know anything about major foundation issues. That's why they abandoned the house once placing it with a local realtor, took some belongings and moved in with the agents friend. A few cities over and a P.O. box later. We found this out after concerned neighbors let us know once they saw far too many contractors within the first week of moving into our new home. 
HOPE. 
hungry
Good GRIEF!
This time change is for the birds! With another early wake up call at 7am for this mornings next scheduled treatment. Even the birds aren't yet awake on this still dark outside and quite chilly Tuesday morning. Ha! 
MOUTH WATERING~DELICIOUS~
Talking about enjoying food... I received some wonderful messages from dear Dr. T through out the day. Thank goodness for a smooth road to recovery after Dr. T's recent surgery! I am so happy to see him so happy! Dr. T is also getting ready to reap the rewards of a lifetime of hard work. Surgical work. Retirement life looks good on him and his new friends who have a few hidden talents of their very own. Painting. I have a hunch that with such a long successful life helping to save lives. His new found passion and love for painting will as well be a huge success! Myself and Eric can't wait to receive his first of many new painting masterpieces that he promised to mail to us later this week. What a great looking group of very talented young women and gentlemen. Life should be nothing, but filled with happiness. CHEERS to Dr. T and his friends! 
happy
St. Patrick's Day, but today most certainly still felt like one very lucky day! Inside and outside!
The tumors may have done their fair share of damage over the past few years. Especially with new tumors found over the past 12 months, even a lower jaw tumor that took 2 separate surgical procedures to remove and unfortunately most of my lower teeth with it. I have once again not only survived, but I will finally be able to have a normal, happy, glowing SMILE! It's been a long time coming, but good things really do come to those who wait! My news might not seem like much to some folks and maybe that is because I don't take anything in life for granted. Not even my smile. I have far more respect for life by the challenges and struggles I have endured. In the end... I have not only become stronger, but I have become more appreciative for the little things in life. 
AMEN!
I couldn't agree more! I know it will be a long shot, because let's face it... Anything and I mean, a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g can happen while on the road for 3 hours driving to the concert, 3 hours driving back home from the concert and even possibly, during the concert. That's life. I have to take risks from time to time in order to continue living, not just mere existing. No, not all the time, but this is a HUGE exception to the concert rule for this gal! Eric left the decision up to my doctors. Now that I have my doctors blessings, he is leaving the decision up to me. More so... My body. Now we must wait a little bit longer, actually the day before the concert in order to see how I am feeling. Internally. Mentally? You know this gal will be READY! I just hope my body will follow my mindset, onto the road and OFF we GO! 
We still have some planning ahead of us. Even a same-day road trip to the concert will take some careful pre-planning. We already have some great fur Angels taking care of Littleblue and Snoreo until we get back from the concert. Since we only expect to be gone a maximum of 9 hours, things should be fine with our fur children under watchful eyes, good hands and those with gentle hearts. I can no longer take long drives in either of our vehicles due to needing room to lay down when the nausea and pain get to be a bit too much. Thanks to Kyle at our local rental car company, the same super comfy SUV will be ours to drive for the concert. YAYYYY! Extra room, big comfy heated seats and other 'must-haves' should help make our same-day road trip a lot more comfortable! A lot more safe too! 
WOO~HOO!!! 
hug me
Time to take Littleblue for her tumor recheck. Of course, we didn't expect to have much, if any positive news. That is because Littleblue is now starting to show signs of pain. Her tumor has grown a lot since just her last recheck. Not good. It's heart breaking when our fur children become ill. Worse when it is a condition that has no cure. Cancer.
Poor Snoreo. It's like the roles have now reversed for Littleblue. She was the great big Sis for Oreo when he was very sick and reaching the end of his courageous battle. Littleblue had no one to play with for a few years while Oreo's health continued to quickly decline. Now it's Snoreo playing little Brother to his playmate, Littleblue that can no longer play. We do our best to run Snoreo's energy out at the local dog park, walks along the river trails and lots of toys that fill a huge plastic tote at home. No matter what we do, Snoreo can sense Littleblue is sick and that makes all of us very sad. 
Animals have a sense about them to know when something isn't quite right. Same goes for when one of their fur siblings become sick just as when Littleblue was there for Oreo. 
care of themselves or even others. I have yet to ever be let down by one of my beloved fur children. I receive nothing, but unconditional love from all of them. They have been here for me, more than most humans have been here for me. Sorry, but it's a fact. I know people who treat animals like a new pair of shoes. A few years go by... Then they find something new or cuter or bigger or whatever the reason to just rid a pet like a pair of shoes. These are the same folks and TRUST ME... I KNOW! The same kind of folks that treat animals the same way as they treat people in their own lives. At their discretion. At their disposal. It's no wonder that my passion for all of God's creatures, both big and small, is something that will never stop while I am here on the face of this earth. I believe my love for all animals, especially my fur children, will even go on in the after life. Until then... I will continue loving, spoiling and even caring for my beloved fur children when they become sick and start the end of their own journey. Back home to Heaven. Crossing the Rainbow Bridge. Love should never waiver, regardless if human, animal or any other living, breathing form of life. 
IS LOVE. 
special
I know... I might catch a few opinions from a few opinionated folks or two. I might also catch a few WHAT-WHAT-WHAT or two.. What happened one unexpected evening this week is not only still amazing to us and a few connected others, but it's even more amazing when you have visuals and videos to go along with it!
I might have to back the story up a bit. Actually, a little over a year ago. When a very odd turn of events and changes within the air started occurring at random times of the day. I still consider what I am able to do, A gift. A gift that started at a very young age. I can remember back then not knowing what the heck was going on as I laid in my bed and would literally not only feel, but see those present whom only wanted to relay a message. Sometimes, what I experienced wasn't very pleasant. As a young child, the gift not only was frightening, but made going to sleep virtually impossible! 
There were times that I literally would pull the sheets and blanket over my head in hopes that whomever was visiting me that evening, would see me covered up and leave me the heck alone! YEA RIGHT! It never happened, but instead it only made those even more persistent in visiting me with various messages. For decades, I hid my gift in fear that others might not believe me, but also due to the messages that were being relayed were so vivid. Some even, down right frightening! No worries for those who decide to continue reading. I am not crazy, I am not delusional and I have not lost my marbles. HAHAHAHAHA! Over the decades of trying to make sense of my gift. Those who I have not only reached out to internationally, but those who I have literally sat down with to make sense of things regarding my gift. I have met with pastors, priests and even a few who also started at a young age with their own gift. I was told, "You have a very special gift that you were given. Never be afraid to connect." Recently, just over the past year, my gift has not only gotten stronger, but I have helped assist in a few unsolved cases. This of course, not by my decision, but solely by those who have lost their life in such a senseless way. 
As a young child, I would hear a parent come home from work as a very dark shadow would quickly follow behind, up the stairs and slowly into my room. There were times that the darkness would fill up the entire room and paralyze me in fear. Some might call it, "Sleep paralysis." The problem with that theory, is that I was always awake for the same not so pleasant visits from many whom later in life I had come to realize. They only wanted an apology for dying so tragically. I always wanted to let the person know what I was not only feeling, but seeing for many years, but once again... Fear of not being believed, stopped me. Over the past decade, I have not only embraced my gift of connecting with those who have a message to relay from Heaven, but I have also made sense of those dark shadow messages that kept me frozen in fear. This is very hard to say, but I understand why those who served in the Vietnam war remain in absolute silence about their experience. Having not just one, but many souls that lost their lives, all at once, visit me as a young child is something that I will never forget. It can't be easy for either side. Those in front of the enemy line and those behind the enemy line. All I could do was listen and help them make peace of something so tragic that made no sense to these lost souls. 
During my teenage years, I began dating a guy named, Steve. I actually dated him for many years. He didn't go to my high school, but instead we met where I worked at a shoe store part-time after school and during summer break. We clicked instantly and so did my bond with his entire family. I had a very close bond with his Mother that lasted for years, until God called her back home to Heaven. Back then, I had also experienced loss within my own family. I not only was able to connect with Grandparents after their passing, but some even told me their exact location of where they were being buried. I remember telling my parents during the ride to the cemetery my Grandfathers exact location where he was being buried. Mind you, I should had not known this information, but only knew after my Grandfather had relayed the information to me. A few days after his passing. I can still remember my parents facial expressions of pure disbelief. I honestly could never make sense of why my Grandfather would share the information of his exact burial site with me, but only later would I make sense of everything. I wasn't sure if my family would understand my gift, or even accept it, but my boyfriend back in high school sure did! His beloved Mother had been bravely battling cancer for years, even before we had met. I watched her go from a super bubbly, quite happy, yet still fighting with everything she had left inside her. To a very quiet woman, yet still an amazing parent, wife and blessing to everyone who got to know her through the years. I was blessed after her passing to not only be visited by her, but to know she was once again happy, energetic and at peace in Heaven. I still visit with her during the Christmas season and place flowers on her grave. My boyfriend was very aware of my gift back then, even now decades later, as we still remain in touch.
The dime... Ahhhhh....Yes... I found them at the craziest of times. Papa Joe's children still find them as his way of still connecting with his loved ones. Even in Heaven, there is a way of communicating. The day I reached out to his son, was the day before Christmas Eve. A day I will never forget nor his son. It was tough trying to explain everything that had transpired over the course of almost a year, but I would had never changed a thing. Papa Joe's messages had far greater significance than I would had ever known. One connection with the son led to connecting with others within his family. The messages aren't just in connection with missing puzzle pieces to such a tragic, senseless death, but his messages are as well of love. A deep love for his family and friends. A message to let them know that I am never very far as he holds a very special place for everyone in his heart. As the movie that still to this very day, plays out with each visit from Papa Joe. I now relay those messages to his loved ones. Those in turn, get relayed to those involved in possibly helping to solve his case. 
During our last vacation, down south. As we were entering the airport after parking our car, I got a different kind of message. There was a car parked in front of the airport terminal door where you go to pick up passsengers. Outside of the car stood two woman. A woman assisting an elderly lady out of her wheelchair as she gave the woman a huge, loving embrace. I saw everything unfold very quickly and a stern message from a loved one, in which, I was not sure who they were, but the message was loud and clear. "Don't leave her! Please don't leave her!" It still haunts me. The image of this woman that I now know was her Mother that she was helping out of the wheelchair. Visiting her Mom out of state and a last embrace between both. A mother and a child. After the elderly woman's passing. She came to me one night, out of the blue. It completely freaked me out! I had a chance to relay a very important message. "Don't leave her! Please don't leave!" I was so afraid of their reactions to what I would possibly be telling them. I regret not giving that message, but I am thankful to know that she is happy in Heaven. Still with her daughter, just in a different way. Our spirit never dies with our body. Our spirit still lives on. Our spirit still remains.
A gift.
So... As I continue my life with a special gift. I have finally shared my gift with I am sure, some who will find it either weird, odd, skeptical or whatever you want to call it. I didn't come forward on my blog for all to believe. I don't need vailidation from what I have been gifted with my entire life. I am only hoping to share some of my experiences with others. I most definitely believe not only do our loved ones have the ability to connect with us after death, but so do our fur children. Myself and Eric went to an historic bed and breakfast a little over a year ago with a quite amazing story we shared with the B&B owners. We not only felt the presence of a cat, but we actually were able to document it on video. The playful and quite curious cat made sure his presence was known. A stand high, happy tail and dancing shadows of a cat with a spirit much as alive today. As it was for many years in a place where he still remained. At home with his owners. 
Receiving image upon image, video upon video, as fast as I could send them. The connection? Real. I don't need equipment. My gift never was given to me by equipment, if anything, the equipment is only an option to use by those who have a message to relay. A means to connecting in a way that no one on the face of this earth will ever understand. The answer I believe remains in Heaven. That evening was a very special evening as two departed souls had finally reconnected. Not only was it a magically moment, but the beginning of this blog will finally make sense as the beginning now has a end. A very happy end. 
bright
Eric's visit to a new health food market meant coming home with a few new super healthy drinks for me to give a try... bai Antioxidant Infusion-Kula Watermelon and the latest, not sure about tasting the greatest, TSAMMA-Spinach+Kale+Watermelon.
Hahahahaha! I love bai Antioxidant Infusion water, but their newest addition to the line, 'Kula Watermelon' was a bit too much for my liking. There is just something not so right with mixing watermelon, white tea and vegetable juice which equaled a not so pleasant tasting water. Hmmmm.... My favorite bai Antioxidant water is still hands down, Maui Coconut Raspberry! I have no problem drinking my fair share, but I might have to pass on the next round of watermelon meets vegetable juice and white tea. 
up~ 