Mood:  lucky

GI wise... well... that's another story. Side effects from anesthesia that put your entire digestive tract to sleep for almost an entire week. Tis reasons for not so much fun extreme nausea and waves of vomiting. The unwillingness to consume much of anything. Protein shakes... well... they haven't been too easy to consume either. But all is expected when you find yourself dropping a few pounds of weight. But you know what? These are just minor things. They are just minor set backs.

I have the world  ahead of me!

My surgeon had me come into his office today during his lunch break in order to address issues with another post-operative infection. Not only is my digestive system extremely slow when it comes to an anesthetic state of sleep. But so is my overall healing process. My body is just now beginning to show signs of healing. Crazy! At least all of the surgical bruising is finally starting to fade away. One grows tired of hiding indoors in fear that some folks will assume that Eric is a wife beater of some sorts. HAHAHAHA! No worries... we already had to explain my bruising to a few at our local bank. BAH! Even my surgeon's assistant got in a few of her own funnies regarding odd, but normal for me, various shades of bruising that is just now beginning to fade away. As she told my surgeon, "I sure hope she didn't give out the name of who did her surgery!" Hahahahaha! Once again... being called the 'special patient,' with some really special post-operative complications like another nasty infection. Another procedure, but a far shorter one today in order to drain the infection.

Eric wasn't given every little detail with regards to what my surgeon encountered during last weeks surgery. But today we both got full details of not just problems with my far too low blood pressure issues. But as well with bone tumors that literally crumbled on my surgeon which meant the need to cut far deeper than anticipated. Surgical incisions that we were told will take up to 5 months to heal. We were also told that I will need to have a few additional surgeries, surgical implants, to replace bone that had to be removed within the entire upper left portion of my jaw. I don't need to go into any further detail on how fortunate one can be to have such an amazing surgeon with decades of handling such highly complex cases as my unique case. Let's just say that sometimes pictures say more than a thousand words. I will handle the changes within the structure of my face. I will prepare, once again, for the necessary upcoming surgeries.

At the end of the day. It truly isn't the end of the world. It is just the beginning of one very lucky journey.

2018 is going to be one AMAZING year!

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: January 5, 2018 12:32 AM EST

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Mood:  vegas lucky

HAPPY NEW YEAR~2018!

I like to call it the year of MANY silver linings!

I can't say that we woke up this morning with a hangover. Alcohol related anyways. HA! But I sure am finally feeling the side effects from anesthesia and other strong narcotics that are slowly coming out of my body. Gastroparesis means not only a super slow, turtle pace digestion system. But it also means taking ten times longer than most folks when it comes to weaning anesthesia and other drugs out of your system. I may not fully feel the surgical cuts just yet. But I sure the heck feel the side effects of severe nausea that comes with anesthesia! Tis was not a very good day to kick off a new year. What I have been doing is a whole lot of resting. Enough sleeping that could last me for the remainder of the year! BAH. I feel for Eric once he goes back to work, on any anything but a normal sleep schedule. For the first 48-hours he barely got any sleep during and after surgery. Let's just say that we both finally were able to catch up on some serious sleep. Much needed rest for the body.

With a new year, comes with it, new resolutions.

My resolutions had already began a few days ago. I plan on sticking to mine this new year which involves continuing to close doors on relationships that no longer serve me well. Relationships that are clearly not healthy for me nor the rest of our little family. I also vowed to change how I respond to highly combative and hostile conflict. It has now taken a permanent place... in the past. I will no longer subject myself to any unhealthy relationships of any sorts. That includes any ridiculous shenanigans that only lead to further overwhelming stress. I can not take back the past. But I can change the present and the future on what I will and will not allow as unhealthy in my life. Unhealthy for our entire little family.

I also plan on making another huge and permanent change this new year. After over 15 years of having the same phone number. I will be changing my cell phone number. A private number in order to make sure that a peaceful life remains here on out for me and my future. I will be sending out a group text message for those once my number has been changed. This is just one of many positive changes that I plan on making for this new year. 

This New Year 2018 is all about change for the better!

Happiness is yours for the taking if you learn to open yourself up to what you truly deserve. All the happiness that life has to offer you! Never settle for less than what you deserve. Never compromise your self worth. Never, ever give anyone the chance or opportunity to steal away your beaming ray of light, a most beautiful smile and that undeniable sheer happiness!

HAPPY NEW YEAR~HAPPY NEW YOU

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: July 5, 2018 5:38 AM EDT

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Mood:  special

You know what I have learned over the past year?

There is no better place than the place we call, home.

There is no place that I would rather be... home on New Years Eve.

I remember past New Years Eve festivities that meant getting dressed up and living it up with really large, loud and mostly drunk crowds. Hahahahaha! Hey, I am just keeping it real! Really honest. Not to say that there weren't a few times that we might had been a part of those drunkin' crowds. Ha! That is also keeping it real. Really honest. Hahahaha! Not this year though... no way... no how.

This year we will be ringing in a new year with all the comforts, joy and unconditional love from our fur children at home. It sure beats the hospital! A place where there is no sleep. Unless you are in a drug induced state of mind. Yes, there is actually sleep to be had in such a place. So much sleep that when I finally got the opportunity to rest on my own couchbed. I still had a hard time waking back up. We almost missed the opportunity to bid farewell to 2017. Welcoming in a far happier new year! Doing so as a family... together.

But such as luck would have it as clearly luck remains on my side. I woke up at exactly 11:45pm. Enough time to wake Eric up who was sleeping next to me on the couch so we could quickly turn on the television and watch the countdown together. A new year. A new me. A far HAPPIER 2018!

YAYYYYYY!

2017 was one heck of a year for our entire little family. It was a year of great loss. Losing fur children that meant the world to all of us as they took a little piece of our hearts back home with them to heaven. It sure wasn't the same this holiday season. But I know they were still here with us, celebrating the love and joy that comes with this magical time of year. We suffered great loss in 2017. We also learned a great deal in 2017. In the process we have become much more wiser and far more respectful to the greatest gift of all.

The gift of life.

Farewell 2017. The tried and the true. As we remember those we love, but never truly lost. Our hearts will always be with you~

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

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Mood:  chillin'

I believe in signs. I believe in gut instincts. I also believe there was very valid reason that two surgeries had to be postponed, time and time again.

There was every bit of a really good valid reason on why surgical procedures had to be rescheduled over the past few months. Physically, my body just wasn't ready. Mentally, I had yet to close some doors in my life... permanently. I most definitely believe that no matter what type of surgery you are having to any part of your body. You must first be ready in every way, shape and form. Physically, spiritually and emotionally.

After finally putting all the silly shenanigans away that had been causing me stress and the inability to focus on far more serious issues. I finally had the opportunity to focus on far more important matters with my health... surgery. It may have taken awhile, but this morning was the first step in realizing two long awaited surgeries. It wasn't a choice. It was a must. Regardless of what type of surgery you may endure at some point in your life. There will always be risks involved with going under the knife. For those whom may never have to endure any type of surgery in your lifetime. Consider yourself lucky.

With any surgery, comes the risks that are involved when you go under anesthesia.

As I am now taking the time to catch up on blog entries over the past week. I am very fortunate to now be on the other side of surgery... recovery. The safe side after suffering surgical complications. Having pre-existing issues places anyone at a far greater risk of surgical complications. This is why when surgery is a must, not an option. One must be prepared both physically and mentally. It takes one heck of a surgeon to be okay with not just taking on my highly complex, complicated medical case. But to also understand that surgical complications can sometimes not be avoided, no matter how many precautions one may take before surgery. And I must say... my surgeon took a lot of measures in order for me to have the safest surgery possible. Without complications. But you can't predict the unpredictable.

I do not have much recollection of the next 24-hours during and after surgery. But I can tell you one thing. There is an afterlife. I am not sure what you would call as far as what I was able to remember with going to a specific place and remembering one very particular face. One particular face that I have never met before in this lifetime. But after finally waking up and coming to while looking down to see Eric holding my hand. The very first words that Eric said came out of my mouth were of those perfectly describing his grandmother. I know where I went and I know who was waiting for me. Along with others whom I can only hope to one day put names with those faces that surrounded me.

This isn't the first time to have encountered such a place that not only enlightened me. But angered me that I had to leave such a peaceful, beautiful place outside of anything of this world. I believe that place to be called, heaven.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: July 5, 2018 5:39 AM EDT

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Mood:  lucky

Call me crazy... but I actually don't mind the cold temperatures this morning.

Winter is my favorite season!

After layering my clothes and bundling up with the biggest and warmest coat I could find. Yesterday morning was the truest test of all time to see if I could pass pre-surgical testing for this mornings scheduled surgery.

1 out of 2 over the next few weeks.

My guardian angels must had been by my side. I finally got the long anticipated words, "ALL clear ahead!" FINALLY! This has been a very long time coming! 

I will always have low blood pressure issues. I will always have a lower than normal body temperature. That comes with tumors and cancer in general. But this morning as I finish typing... 7:54am. We are getting dressed and on our way to my first of two surgeries. I plan on continuing to battle. Realizing my dreams along the way for a much happier, time to take care of #1~ME... New Year 2018!

Once I am released, there will be plenty to keep our fur children busy while mommy is home finishing up her smooth road to recovery. Yes, as we were told, things will be different after this surgery. Life, once again, will change. But those words couldn't be handed down to a much stronger person. There isn't anyone else that I know that is stronger than me. The one person that I know who is stronger happens to be watching over me from heaven. I am forever blessed by the strength they have handed down to me.

"Don't let mediocre people talk you out of your dreams. Lions have little in common with sheep."

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 7:53 AM EST

Updated: July 5, 2018 6:16 AM EDT

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Mood:  bright

That old saying is true... all good things must come to an end.

Christmas is now over and the reality of issues that need to be resolved before the years end has officially started back up today. We have to come to some sort of agreement with regards to our mere 13-month old home purchase here in the country. The bank that holds Eric's VA loan has been not only uncooperative, adding over $147,000 onto his existing loan without his knowledge. But once again... we had to reach out for more legal assistance. I am very happy to say that contacting the attorney not only moved the urgent issues with the bank into light speed mode. But as well, once again, we were met with another anticipated retaliation. Eric's entire payment history was not only incorrect, missing over 9 payments with all three credit bureaus. But the bank took it upon themselves to delete his entire loan from all three credit bureaus after an attorney stepped into the picture. It's like living in a rental, all over again. So... this morning it was strongly advised by the attorney to put a freeze on his credit with all three credit bureaus. The freeze will remain until the bureaus can figure out why in the world a bank would do such a ridiculous retaliation move by falsifying over $147,000 onto his existing loan. So far... the attorney was told, "It was a mental error."

UMMMM?.... O-K-A-Y... Sureeeeeee!

It seems as if we are right back to ground zero with missing payments not being reported to the credit bureaus and an underwriter with our personal bank unable to proceed with any sale of our current home. Eric had the unfortunate news this morning to deliver to the couple that lives only a mere five minute drive from our home that were in the process with their own bank. Purchasing our home. What a mess! I don't understand, nor does our personal bank underwriter understand why mere errors could not be resolved by the current bank that holds Eric's VA loan. It makes absolutely no sense to anyone. But unfortunately after the attorney did some research of his very own. Eric is not the first consumer to have this same issue with the same bank over the past several years. In fact... the bank got taken to court by a federal bureau just a mere few years ago. They were sited this year, March 2017 to pay over 1.7 million dollars in fines for failure to properly report consumer payments and failure to timely respond to error reporting with the credit bureaus. The bank had so many complaints that the federal bureau ended up stepping in and taking them to court. I can't believe that it didn't help matters... because clearly the issues with the same bank not reporting payments or fixing their own clerical errors has continued to this very day.

I like to call this another mere unnecessary form of stress. Which is why here-on-out when anyone causes any unnecessary stress.... I remove myself from it, them, they or all of the above.

2017 will end as a year of many doors that will remain closed. And for good reason!

2018 will be the start of a new year with many new doors that I will open as a means to living a life here on out with nothing but sheer... HAPPINESS! 

It's been a long time coming for this gal. I more than deserve it! Anything or anyone to cause mere unnecessary stress, drama or any other shenanigans will find themselves at the door. Closed... permanently. I will not give second chances any more. I have given far too many individuals and situations far too many chances. I have given far too much forgiveness that has been taken for granted. It's time to welcome a new year and the time I deserve to focus on myself and my little family for a change. Time to be nothing but selfish.

You have to take care of number 1... YOU!

Your happiness is first and foremost important!

Eric has his own changes that he has already began initiating on a daily basis. How to handle conflict, problems and other issues that may arise during this crazy journey we call, life. He hasn't handled things to the best of his ability. He will also be the very first to admit it. But as I have learned over the past several years. You can't change people. We all have to own up to our own mistakes. We have to want embrace change. In the process, we all become a better version of ourselves each and every day.

Today, I have also learned a very important lesson about being a stepparent. Over the years, I have kept in contact with regards to how my stepson has been doing. I have also made sure to leave messages with the appropriate parties when he has been unavailable to contact. As any good stepparent, I have protected my stepson over the past several years from any and all stressful situations, family conflicts or any other unhealthy situations or environments. Today, I learned that my stepson was never given those messages. He never got the messages left on voicemails. He never even got the messages of me checking in with him. I will be the first to say that hearing that from his grandparents, not letting my stepson know that I have been in contact, checking in on him and other means of sending things via mail was extremely shocking and beyond hurtful. I was told that... no... they never did let him know. He was never relayed any of the messages or anything else to say the least. That not only cut me very deeply, emotionally. But a great lesson is to be learned from years of being a stepparent and protecting my stepson. One in which, I will not repeat ever again. It's really a shame... when you think about it. It will take me quite awhile to get over it. But as well, I have a lot of conversation ahead to explain to my stepson. On why he was never given the messages. His stepmom cared deeply about him and his overall happiness and wellbeing. He just never found out because his grandparents kept it from him. Indeed an injustice to any child. Indeed... a shame.

As of today... I started back seeing my new therapist here in the country. I also had a really good meeting of the minds with my LC. There will be further swift changes that have already began this evening.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

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Mood:  happy

Why just celebrate one day of Christmas?

No way! Not I!

I love the magic of Christmas! Don't you? There is just something about this festive time of year that I don't want to see disappear. Especially... this year.

We have enjoyed such an amazing beginning and sadly after today. The end of Christmas for this year. But today instead of thinking about our Christmas in the past tense. We decided to celebrate another entire day of sheer festive Christmas happiness!

How can one go wrong, especially when we still have snow on the ground for Snoreo and Babyblue to play at our local dog park. YAYYYY! They both had a blast running around in the snow while the winter breeze continued to freeze the ground. Thank goodness for no dirty paws to bring back home so we could use that time for far more happier things to enjoy on this cold winter day.

Most folks celebrate Christmas with turkey, ham and all the other holiday trimmings. Not us. No way! We decided to celebrate Christmas a far more healthier way! This easy to make oriental dish took just a mere 40-minutes and turned out super delicious! Instead of using high sodium soy sauce and other oriental seasonings. I used a very low sodium Paradise Pineapple Teriyaki sauce by Kona Coast with a sprinkle of pepper, ginger and cinnamon sugar for seasoning. This simple dish is enough to last for more than a few days as a far healthier choice for your entire family. YUMMY!!

Our fur children got lots of treats and plenty of toys to keep them busy through out the day. While we took it easy watching some holiday classic movies and sharing my new heating blanket with a cup of chai tea. RELAXING!

We did run into a few other hidden lemon gems that came with the purchase of our new home. 13 months now and counting... a leaking pipe, front door pulling from the frame and another window to seal. I don't believe there will ever be a time, without needing to wear a hat of many trades, in this house of far too many hidden lemon gems. However... with all the experience of so many repairs that we had to tackle over the course of the past 13 months. It didn't take but a few hours to finish all of todays hidden lemon gem repairs.

I can't believe the start of a new year begins in less than a week! Life sure does fly by in a blink of an eye!

This year we will be celebrating New Years Eve together at home with the rest of our little family. A surgical recovery kind of New Years Eve. I only have a few days left to get lots of rest before my first surgery. My surgeon has been taking extra measures and careful precautions ahead of time to make sure that my immune system is ready! In all actuality... I too am ready!

PEACE~LOVEJOY

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: December 27, 2017 7:26 AM EST

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Mood:  happy

I can't believe it!

HAPPY SNOWY CHRISTMAS!!!

YAYYYY!!!!

There really isn't much else that I could ask for this Christmas. All of my wishes and dreams really came true!

Not only did Mother Nature deliver us a white Christmas here in the country. But it was as well the most festive, highly celebrated, peaceful and beyond enjoyable holiday season and Christmas that this gal could had ever dreamed or wished!

It truly was a very magical Christmas for our entire little family~

We had a bit of a slow start to Christmas Eve after this gal had a rocky morning, physically. Our sleep schedule has pretty much turned into sleeping whenever my body needs the rest. So this year meant actually celebrating Christmas at midnight. YAYYYYY! There is just something magical about turning on all the bright, colorful Christmas lights while the rest of the world is fast asleep. The most ultimate form of P-E-A-C-E.

This year we were the first of many houses on Santa Paws list! While all of our fur children were fast asleep. Santa Paws was busy filling all of their stockings. Even leaving a few surprises in our very own stockings for good human parents of very lovable fur children. Hehehehehehe!

There really wasn't anything on myself or Eric's list this year for Christmas. What we did receive was something more that can't be bought in stores. The gift of life and the blessings of being proud human parents of our many fur children. Celebrating Christmas together as one little, yet BIG in heart, family~

It was the very first Christmas for Babyblue, Big LOVE, Sweetie and Papa kitty. All rescued fur children that are now part of our little family. They were all super excited to walk into the Christmas room and see their gifts under the tree and stockings filled with all sorts of toys and treats. Sweetie and Papa kitty are neighborhood rescued fur angels that otherwise would have no home to celebrate Christmas. There really was no reason to not provide a warm shelter, food and lots of love this holiday season and through out the upcoming cold winter months. It's amazing just how well everyone instantly got along. Rescued fur angels are god's gifts from heaven. THIS I do BELIEVE.

It just wouldn't be Christmas without such unconditional love, happy tails, barking and meowing with such excitement!

Yes indeed... a gift that can not be bought in a store.

Posted by GastroparesisAwarenessCampaignOrg. at 12:01 AM EST

Updated: December 27, 2017 6:41 AM EST

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