Mood:  d'oh

Not only does life... unexpectedly happen. But so do unexpected issues... major web crashes.

PFFFFFF!!!!

Yes, it does come with the territory... It's only to be anticipated, because let's face it, life happens. Especially when least expected. If anyone knows how this goes, it's little ole me.

So... I have been working over the past several hours with the software developer and I am very happy to say that issues should be resolved by early tomorrow evening. YAYYY!! 

Thank you everyone for your ongoing patience. 

You know what time it is tomorrow...

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: July 5, 2018 5:33 AM EDT

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Mood:  rushed

Thank goodness for Eric taking a message early this morning when central scheduling called to go over my surgery date and other information at 8am. After some much needed rest, I was finally able to call them back at 3pm.

It took me awhile to finally get to sleep. I have yet to get feeling better, but was only told it would be expected. Lots of rest and just taking it easy until surgery. We really had hoped for surgery to be scheduled for next week. This way I wouldn't have too long of a chance to allow my brain to run wild with surgical possibilities and other 'what-if' scenarios. I would much rather just get this surgery one and done, ASAP! But instead... we were given a date of February 20th.

The 20-day countdown... begins.

As of late this evening. We are actually thankful to have 20 days to figure out a game plan. During a very lengthy phone call with the surgery department, I was advised to begin a medication given to me by my specialist yesterday. Quite scary medication that honestly... I rather not take nor put myself at risk of far-too-many side effects. But the unfortunate part of this, is that this time, I have no other choice. By 8pm, I finally had the courage to get my brain face on as I began the first round of medication. What I had yet to tell Eric was the 15-weeks of outpatient therapy that I will have to endure, regardless of the outcome of surgery. A 15-week course of therapy, once a day, 7-days a week. That news delivered to Eric late this afternoon... well... to say he is still shocked would be an understatement. We have already maxed out leave time with his employer. Another unfortunate, yet unexpected turn of events regarding an ongoing battle with my health. I am now finding myself feeling as if I have become a huge burden. It's not a pleasant feeling dealing with health issues that are still spiraling out of control. Far out of my own control. This is where great counseling helps one to put things into perspective.

I have to remember that what is going on... what has been going on... what is taking place... what will be happening during and after surgery isn't my fault. No one asks to be sick.

Outpatient therapy to help filter out my kidneys and bladder will be done back across state lines for a course of 15-weeks, 7-days a week, 4-5 hours per daily treatment. To say that I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all this news, would be an understatement. I have already handled more than any normal human being could ever handle in a lifetime. Yet, it still isn't the end of my lifetime. I am living, breathing and through it all, still somehow fighting. How in the heck do I do it? With the help of my guardian angels. It is something that I have always believed, deep in my heart, to be true.

Over the next few days, while I am doing my best to deal with another new course of therapy and the medications not-so-welcoming side effects. Eric has already begun doing his best to figure out how in the world we are going to pull everything off in a matter of 20-days. A green letter written to the Sheriff requesting donated hours, generously donated by fellow employees, coworkers that over the years have become good friends. We don't do well asking for help. I assume that's where pride somehow always gets in the way. But life happens... everyone at some point of their life... sometime in their lifetime... can't win the battle alone. There will be a time, in everyone's lifetime, where asking for help is perfectly... okay.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: February 1, 2018 2:03 AM EST

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Mood:  quizzical

What Eric could had used more of this morning was some serious coffee! Another far-too-early morning wake up call for my surgical procedure. All in 'hopes' of keeping my functioning kidney out of harms way from, once again, getting blocked from the reappearing ovary and large ovarian tumor. A surgically placed stent to fully free my left ureter tube that helps drain my kidney.

But as with life... expect the unexpected.

Rewind a few days, back to results from an emergency rescan. Hoping to make some sort of sense from existing and new symptoms. Far too much blood in the urine. Way too much uncomfortable pain. Enough nausea which doesn't allow for a need to consume much, if any protein shakes or other valuable daily nutrition.

17 surgeons later... three big specialty hospitals-mayo clinics later and maximum experimental oncology treatments. Yet, everyone has their own respective opinions regarding an ovary that has magically re-appeared after pathology reports show it being surgery removed several years ago. Yet, one single microscopic fragment that grew over the course of several years has done more than enough damage that still to this very day... continues. ORS-Ovarian Remnant Syndrome, one in now 13 in the world that still has gone above and beyond all the other 12 documented cases. Not only did this bizarre, magical ovary of many sorts grow back from one, single, microscopic fragment. But has once again defied all odds of being placed in a deep, permanent state of sleep. Last weeks emergency scan shows not just one magical ovary producing follicles. But now my right ovary is awakening from the deep radiation sleep. Another three follicles appearing on the big screen which makes for two separate ovaries, functioning on two different cycles. Not only is this unheard of by most, but as well it's the nightmare of sorts that my team of specialists were hoping would never happen... again. Which is why fast-track, maximum course of radiation therapy and a few other experimental treatments were used, yet still failed to shut down the feeding blood supply to this medical mess.

Stable... Unstable.

The only good part of the page upon page of reports was with regards to one word, 'Stable.' This means that the largest tumor and smaller tumors have remained pretty much stable since my last scan. They have only grown a slight bit, not much since the last scan. However, there is still an active feeding blood supply to all areas of the tumors and magical re-appearing ovary. Stable... is a most welcoming and encouraging word for someone like me with a very rare medical case.

What isn't a very welcoming nor encouraging word... unstable.

Once arriving for my surgical procedure this morning. I was asked to fill out a few additional forms of needed medical information and other releases. They also asked if I could provide a morning urine sample, which I only thought was possibly routine before the procedure. Then we were whisked away to the waiting area before being directed into an examination room, literally waiting a little over an hour for my specialist to come in and delivery the news. Expect the unexpected... it comes with the territory.

This mornings surgical procedure to place a stent got canceled as labs showed a far larger amount of blood coming from my kidneys than just last week. There were also cells, not good cells, that were detected which gave my specialist no other option but to cancel the procedure. We were then told the other unexpected news, "I am going to have to schedule you for exploratory surgery and biopsy of your bladder and kidney. We have a very high suspicion of cancer within the bladder or possibly the left kidney." Not the news anyone in their right frame of mind wants to hear. Myself and Eric were in no way, shape or form ready for that kind of news nor having the anticipated procedure this morning literally canceled within a last second notice.

Cancer? Again? Bladder? Kidney?

I just successfully beat skin cancer. I would never dare to say that it was an easier form of cancer. But instead, I would rather say that the location and options to treat skin cancer are far greater than other types of cancers. To now come face to face with another unexpected turn is not only frustrating, but downright frightening. I went from one report showing tumors... stable. To now other aspects with regards to labs and reports... unstable.

What about the new third option with regards to making our move out west this year that much easier? As of this evening, we are still trying to come to the realization of cells so out of control that things have now gotten way out of control. We are now facing a far bigger surgery. A major surgery with regards to two completely different types of cancer... or is it really? In my mind, if this doesn't go very well since labs are now worse than just last week, this is all connected. Things like this just don't happen. No way. No how. The only silver lining I see in today's news is hopefully things haven't had the chance to go beyond the point of medical intervention. Once again, another specialist who looked up at us across the desk with their computer, letting us know that any doctor who brushed things off with regards to my unique medical case and ongoing symptoms didn't help matters. If anything, they allowed things to get worse. Medically speaking, nothing got better. If that is so much as they had hoped or planned.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 10:31 PM EST

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Mood:  party time!

Why look who just turned 6-months old today!

She may be all girl, but still loves to hang with her best friend Mr. Snoreo. A bit terror on all four paws at times... but still the ultimate CUTIE~PATOOTIE!

So much for the 40-45 pounds that our veterinarian guessed as far as her max weight. Babyblue is already just a few pounds shy of 40 pounds at 6-months old! We have a really strong hunch where this could be possibly going... BIG DINOSAUR PUPPY! Hehehehehehe! Just like our Snoreo who is pretty close at maxing out around 103 pounds. That's one GINORMOUS puppy! Together they make for one huge adventurer! Especially with Eric trying to wrangle both of them while opening up the gate at our local dog park. Babyblue is already past the point of me trying to handle her while walking. She is already far too strong for me and way too rambunctious! It's a good thing that both her and Snoreo have become best of friends and such great playmates while burning off lots of energy in and out of the house! What we need next is a fenced in yard after having to tear down the newly (poorly) installed fence only a few months after purchasing our home.

Our new third option with regards to our next and final move out west is still in the works. At least with this third option, there is a fenced in backyard. Tomorrow is my scheduled surgical procedure to put in the stent. If all goes well, we should be on our way to taking advantage of a third option which will allow our move out west this year to be that much easier!

But as with life... expect the unexpected. No matter how meticulously things may be planned. Life can change in an instant. Life happens and so do change of plans.

What will never change is the unconditional love and endless hugs from all of our super affectionate fur children. Even from Mr. Big ole lap kitty, Papa.

Love doesn't get any better than happy purrs and smiling eyes from our big and small bundles of joy~ 

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: January 30, 2018 9:08 PM EST

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Mood:  special

When the stars align... amazing things start to happen for a person.

Allowing the wind to direct my sail in the right direction. Allowing fate to guide me the way. When something is truly meant to be... it will happen on it's very own. I always felt this to be true in life. When you let go of the reins of trying to control your life. Giving in to a far higher power... my guardian angel. That single, most beautiful twinkling star, greeting me each and every night was helping to guide me in the right direction.

When the stars align... amazing things will start to happen in the most unexpected ways.

Decades ago... I would had never embraced so much change. Constant change that mostly has been out of this gals control. But with age comes wisdom and plenty of lifetime experience. I now welcome and embrace change, all change that may come before me. I have learned to fully embrace change and not to fear taking those huge leaps of faith.... because in all actuality.... change can be a really good thing! Change can be the most rewarding gift of all.

There are big changes that have already begun to quickly unfold this morning for our entire little family. Positive change, welcoming change, exciting change, the most HAPPIEST of HAPPY change! By letting go of those reins and allowing life to take the wheel. I have come to realize that when things are meant to be... they truly will happen.

Allow your guardian angel to guide you the way~

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: January 29, 2018 1:34 AM EST

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Mood:  surprised

If you walk through life and always remember to expect the unexpected. You will then never find yourself the least bit surprised nor disappointed.

We have hit a major crossroad. A huge cut in the road so to speak with regards to another new opportunity that has unexpectedly opened.

Rise n' Shine to a far too early weekend morning! An unexpected drive to view a property. Always... when least expected. We now have further options and more major decisions to make with our big move. This move is turning out to be more like an international chess championship game! These aren't moves that can be rapidly made... no way... these moves take some serious meetings of the minds. We now have another option on the table. This doesn't mean that moving out west is no longer a go. It just means that we no longer just have one option of selling our current home. We now have three options on how this entire big move can play out to our advantage. If this new option goes into the direction where the wind may take us... then we will only have a mere month to quickly finish up any last minute repairs and repainting projects. EEEE~YIKES! Talking about Eric on the hustle! This gals body is on a major time-out for the time being, so I won't be able to help with a possible upcoming month of sheer madness.

We have some really big and quite serious decisions to make within the next few days. I always tell Eric that the universe will let you know... always has... always will. If things are meant to be... they will be meant to be.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

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Mood:  bright

Nothing wrong with sharing a little lighthearted fun with everyone. No one ever needs to take themselves too seriously in this crazy place we call, life. Life need not be so serious all the time either. Not only are these pure organic facial masks good for the skin. But they also feel really amazing! They are initially a bit cold to the touch. But after a few minutes the real soothing benefits of charcoal, tomatoes and aloe vera begin... ahhhhh... our skin says, "Thank YOU!"

We had a pretty serious start to our day with regards to recent lab reports. What was thought to be an infection, turned out to be another issue with the largest ovarian tumor beginning to once again, block my ureter tube. Cultures were sent out a few days ago and came back early this morning showing pretty much nothing but blood in my urine with very little white cells. What my doctors thought was possibly another infection in a different location, ended up being just the opposite. Another complication from an ovarian tumor gaining further size and strength. I still must remain on antibiotics as a precaution for any possible signs of secondary infection. 

 Instead of going back to sleep after a far-too-early phone call from my doctors office. I was whisked away to the hospital for another emergency scan. It didn't take long for the radiology techs to pick up on the largest ovarian tumor literally almost completely blocking my ureter tube. There were other findings, but I won't know the exact specifics until sometime tomorrow. Notes from one of my specialists back across state lines regarding the last scan, a little over a month ago, made absolutely no sense to the hospital radiology team. I am really starting to question just how much a few of my specialists grew tired of dealing with such a complex medical case. Almost as if... just brushing my entire case under the rug.

I was advised by the radiology technicians this morning about just how important it is to listen to your body. "Go with your instincts and you will never go wrong!"

I guess you can say, that I am very fortunate to have gone with mine.

We are already scheduled with a new urology group who will be either surgically placing a stent to help keep my ureter tube open. Or they will be performing a nephrostomy which is basically a drainage tube. This will hopefully prevent any further complications with my bladder and kidneys not being able to drain properly. We were told that it will be a very tricky procedure since they will need to somehow work their way around the largest ovarian tumor. At least I have some time to regroup and get my game face back on. It's been such a crazy start to this new year that we have hardly had a chance to even blink. However, I am glad that things are going at rapid-fire speed so I don't have time to dwell on a million possibilities of what could go wrong.

It's no wonder that we have mastered the art of making sure to find reasons to laugh and smile each and every day. No matter how tough life may be and the endless hurdles that one may have to jump. It's important to remember that laughter and endless smiles go a very, VERY long way!

Look out WWE! There's a new tag team in town!

BAH-HAHAHAHAHA!!

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 11:13 PM EST

Updated: January 25, 2018 11:28 PM EST

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Mood:  lyrical

It's always going to be the little things in life that make this gal the happiest yet!

S-l-o-w-l-y peeling back the air-tight seal on a huge can of my most favorite coffee... ahhhhh... such an amazing a-r-o-m-a~

Yes, I am a pretty simple gal to please when it comes to the far littler things in life that make me truly happy. I am not one to be into the big, expensive brands of coffee. I prefer a much mellower, smoother taste.

While I am at it... why not share a few more of my most favorite things!

A BLOGTASTIC review of these super healthy, organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan beverages. Most of these products can be found at any specialty food store and some even at your local grocery retailer. A new year means a new start to breaking the same ole, same ole dietary cycle. Why not awaken your taste buds a bit and give these super healthy beverages a try!

Vegan and non-GMO and gluten free! The best part is that among other coconut water products it has the lowest sugar and more essential minerals.

Coconut water with a KICK!

Switchel is a drink as old as the USA. A super sweet, tart, gingery, blueberry drink with all the good stuff! The best part? All of the ingredients are ORGANIC. 

Who can go wrong with using ginger? Your stomach most definitely can't go wrong! Glass container, not plastic? A BONUS!

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: January 25, 2018 1:48 AM EST

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Mood:  bright

I have seen, heard and read far too much negativity over the past week towards one another. Why must we all start off a brand new year on such a negative note. Why can't we all just start off this brand new year being much kinder, softer and gentler towards one another.

It's not a good question. But a great statement.

We should not only be kind to ourselves. We should be kind to one another. Negative insults go absolutely... no where. A kind compliment and genuine smile will take you... e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. A gentle hand and a full heart makes this world a much better place. We need more of those huge hearts and gently hands in this world.

May you always feel peaceful.

May you always be the most happiest of happy.

May you always be safe.

May you always awaken to your most beautiful, beaming ray of light.

May you always allow your soul to be... ~free.

#Love #Peace #Kindness #Joy

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: January 25, 2018 12:33 AM EST

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