Writers Challenge Sponored by WEGO Health April 19th 2015 - IF You Could Travel to.... Where might that be & How to do deal Chronic Health and Travels

WEGO Health has really "hit the nail on the head" with their "prompts" for their April 2015 Writer's Challenge. It seems each one of them brings out things I may have not really written much about. Thus now I am getting new ideas, even for my own book I am working on.

Thus, if I could or already have been "anywhere" I travel to, or I've already been there, where would that be?

I have several "1st thoughts". I LOVED Seattle! The 5 years I spent there was better than fantastic. The city, the people, the food, all of the wonderful views, and spectacular places to go see and do things, it just seemed like the "panacea" of life I was looking for. It has been 10 years since I moved back to Texas, and I still miss Seattle.

Then there is portions of California that I truly loved. Lancaster/Palmdale CA were absolutely where I felt I should be. That was in 2001 that I drove myself all of those thousands of miles, only really "knowing" a couple of people. Yet, within days of being there, I had found a couple of dear friends, a place to live, a job, and felt that was my "home". Then Jim and I lived in San Pedro for a short while. I loved it there also. The weather was perfect, and it was also a beautiful place to be. Although I really miss Lancaster and Palmdale, now I know that is just not where I belonged, and neither was San Pedro.

We spent a week in Hollywood Florida! It was like paradise! I had so hoped the job Jim went to interview for, would pan out. We had found the house of all houses, that was about 3 minutes from the beach! It was also a place I could have seen me settling into. I could see a Sunday morning, $2.00 breakfast on the beach, with a Mango Frozen Daiquiri in my hand. Yet, again as much as I loved it, and I think it was more the unbelievable house we found, I just cannot say it would have been where I wanted to be.

I've now been to Washington DC! It was awesome, and I would definitely enough another visit, and hope to again pretty soon, but it's not my "home" either. Same for Pagosa Springs CO, and the "Wolf Creek Ski Lodge".... and I do wished I could go snow skiing again. Stupid body, has to be jointed "disjointed", with all of my replacements, knees, shoulder, and so on, that part of my life I've fondly had to give up also.

Now Las Vegas 0 Loved it and definitely will go back - hopefully soon. It was like "no other" place I had ever been. I just basked in the glow of "neon" signs, lights, sounds of the slots, and all of the great entertainment, huge Casino's, hotels, it is a place everyone should go to at least once in their life.

I've been on vacation in several different states, and of course all around Texas. I truly felt my "hometown" of Ennis TX (Home of the Bluebonnet Festival, Polka Festival, and the All Concrete Motorplex Drag Race Track, would never be my "stopping off" point in life. I guess life changes and we must "go with the flow" as the saying goes. It is not that I just despise this place. I am not really a huge "city" fan, and am more of a "small town" feel type of person. Yet, when I left on that bus in October 2001 headed for Seattle, I truly felt I would never reside" in Ennis again. At the time I had been through way too much "drama", gossip, not being able to "be me" I guess you could say. If I happened to wear a top and show my belly button ring, tongue ring or a tattoo, I was the "Queen of Debauchery". Thus, after leaving here, all of that melted away. I could show a tattoo, or wear a mini skirt, without feeling like I committed several small crimes at once.

So, now to the main question, if I could go anywhere, or had been already, where would that be? Well, I've never traveled abroad anywhere. I've not been "overseas" at all. I truly believe if I was able to go somewhere it would be somewhere such as Tuscany. Of course I am not sure if what I've seen on television and in the movies are a true look at somewhere like that. But, to see an incredible countryside, with lush green all around, and ride down a small cobblestone street, with the smell of fresh bread, beautiful flowers, and people taking life a bit slower would be where I would love to be, at least for a while. The look and feel of those huge Cathedrals, and buildings that have been standing for hundreds and hundreds of years, decorated ornately, and something such as a Castle that I could go to and look down over some incredibly beautiful country side and small town would truly be an inspiration for me. I feel I could go to some place such as that, and be inspired to write, to oil paint again, to play music when I could, and I honestly feel that my "body" might even partially "heal" itself. I know just changing your "destination" does not really mean you will be totally healthy again, but I do feel I would have a "better" me in some place such as that. So, through all of the places I've lived and visited, I would consider moving back to Seattle possibly.

Yet, my "dream month" destination, or possibly longer would be some small place in Tuscany. When I go and flip through the pictures doing a search, seeing all of the incredible buildings, cathedrals, artwork, everything just like it was pulled right out of a pictureest view, all of the statues created by those who have long passed away, yet their legacy lives on and on, within the halls and streets of such a magical place... As I said, just the idea of stepping into a scene such as that, almost melts the stress away, as I sit here writing about it.

I do have a few things that I've learned about travel now that I am plagued with this ridiculous autoimmune issues, especially about riding too long and so on.
Wear comfortable clothes, whether it be on a plane, train, bus or traveling by car. Don't set yourself up, where you MUST set for hours at a time. Try to pick a way to travel, and of course by car this is the best, where you can get out every once in a while, stretch your legs, back, and be able to move around. The longer many of us have to sit in one place, it gets to where it just hurts too much. Try to travel as "lightly" as possible. Gosh, when I was younger, I would pack my "entire closet" for a weekend! Now, I've learned to pair down a great deal, pick pants, a skirt, dress, jeans or whatever, but make sure you can interchange several tops, a belt, scarves, or something to be able to have one "outfit" that can be several depending on accessories. I LOVE HEELS! And I take them even when I may not wear them.  But, do your best to wear the most comfortable shoes you can have, and some that you can also interchange with outfits. Again, so you are not carrying around two suitcases full of shoes. Try and keep taking makeup, hair products, (now most hotels have hair dryers and ironing boards), so find out what they do have so you don't have to carry extra items. Find a way that you can do your makeup nicely, but fairly quickly. I tend to carry again every piece of make up product I have, and I am too overloaded and probably don't use it anyway. If you have medications, always have them in their bottles, labeled, and if it is something you must keep refrigerated, be sure to ask for a fridge, or make sure you can get one if staying at a hotel, and also like my medication came with a freezer bag to freeze the solution in, and put my medication in there. It will last a good deal of time, then you can re-freeze it when you get to your destination. I know many guys are not for "stopping" if they are driving on a vacation and so forth. But, just put your foot down, whether a spouse, friend or whomever, and take those bathroom breaks, coffee, soft drink, eating breaks. Don't overdo as I said above being confined for way too long and not getting out if at all possible. Tag luggage well. Plus, if you do have "joint problems" and are flying. Request a wheelchair with an attendant to help you through the maze at the airport. Last year I took that suggestion when I flew to D.C! That was the best thing I could have done. I never would have made it all alone, with luggage etc and walking myself. Having that wheelchair really saved my life. Don't be embarrassed, I decided not to be. I would do it again, if I travel by plane.

#HAWMC - WEGO Health Writer's Challenge!

Stress Awareness Month - WEGO Health #HAWMC Writer's Challenge April 19th 2015

Definitely a great question for ALL of us that have to contend with a stressed filled, everywhere you look and feel world! Daily stress producing items are all around us. Whether you are "chronically ill or in chronic pain" or not, the news and medical world tells us that our daily stress levels are off the charts. This also means that stress effects us in so many different ways, especially when it comes to your physical and mental health.

Then you take all of that into consideration, jobs, families, travel, homes, cars, kids, and just what we see in the news daily, is enough to cause us an insurmountable bunch of stress. We have known for years that stress contributes to heart problems, it definitely effects our immune systems, allowing things that normally not make us ill, to sometimes makes us more ill than we think.

Now let's add in doctors visits, 15 or more medications a day, feeling overwhelmed already, yet due to chronic illness and the pain that comes along with it, the stress levels can be way over the top of the glass, and pouring down all around us in a puddle. Just having to deal with a drive to a doctor in Dallas, maybe two in a weeks time. Making sure all of my medications are filled properly, and with me so I don't miss any. Not feeling well some days, either with some type of "flare"; whether Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Sjogren's, and the list continues. Add those onto trying to keep a job, do errands, take care of a home, a yard, a car, buy groceries and prepare meals, do laundry, and all of the 1001 things that can pop up at any moment, to distract us from what else we are doing. Then our bodies all too often "revolt". So, now I am dealing with a huge amount of fatigue, severe headaches, my hips and lower back hurting, perhaps like last week for me, having the procedure done on Thursday - even though a "good procedure" to hopefully help reduce the horrid pain in my lower back, hips and legs, was still "stress". So I get up on Friday, with bright pink cheeks, feeling like a train had run over me, seeing everything piling up I need to do, and guess what, here is a flare. I would "assume" a Lupus flare, due to the pink hot cheeks and nose. That all too familiar "Lupus "The Wolf" Mask" we get when one of those comes on

So, I've spent over a week at doctors offices, having that procedure done, then coming home to know I am behind on everything. Now I feel lousy, the weather brings on a new set of stress on it own, and I now have a very low potassium situation they discovered last week when I had the Transforminal Epidural Steroid Injection done in my lumbar spine. My potassium was at an "dangerous" low. Most of the time at what mine was, and they even checked it twice, I probably should be getting IV Potassium to try and get it back up a bit, then follow up with pills. But, I didn't hear from my PCP even after calling at 9:00 A< Friday. So, I followed up with my Cardiologist, who immediately called in a script, told me to take two of them for two days, then one a day, and come in on next Friday so they can check the levels again.

Now, after all that being said, "How do I, did I, deal with all of the stress"? My first way to "deal" with stress is "listing" and writing down, what is "MOST" important to get done quickly, and what may be able to wait a day or two? That helps me a great deal, to literally "write down" a list, and prioritize things. Then I take stock in how I feel mentally and physically. If I am feeling very lousy, then I know I need to do absolutely what has to be done, and save others for later, when I feel better.

From there, I allow "time for me". Even though my to do list might be long, I still need to be able to either go outside, and do my walking. I enjoy baking. So, for me going into the kitchen and making a pie, cake, cookies, or whatever I feel like I might enjoy baking, I do that. There are days, that I may have to do one or two things, then sit down at the computer and write, or take an hour to watch a movie with my two pups. I also very often find if I go over to my Mom's, and just spend some times away, where I can talk, and "gripe" if I want to, Being able to express my stress is critical. If I can't write it down, or say it, or find some type of avenue to be able to "purge" some of the bad stress, then I really find myself unable to get much of anything done. I am too wrapped up in what I CAN'T, thus what I can does not come to me, when I don't just take that walk, talk to my Mom, write on my book, or post on my blog. Summer as I had mentioned in another blog post earlier in the week, tends to help. I can open up my home, and let the fresh air in, get some light streaming in, and I have a "renewed" feeling, that tends to be a great deal stress free.

Being ill with so many of these diseases, syndromes, and such do add a HUGE amount of stress in my life, but my husband, Mom, and others can "feel" that tension in the air. So, between all of us we try to keep me in check with stress. It may mean a day trip to Oklahoma and the Casino. Which in saying that, we are LONG overdue to go. It has been several months, possibly about 4 or more months since Mom and I made that 2 hour journey into "freedom" for a few hours at least.

Just a day trip away from it all, is an incredible way for me to get back to the matters at hand daily, and lead my body and brain into a new perspective.

Writing has always, and will always be one of my biggest ways, that I can "purge" out the stress, remain half sane hopefully, and try to carry on up that "mountain" always reaching out to attain a goal.

#HAWMC

"A Tagline" for my patient experience! WEGO Health Wtiters Challengs April 17, 2015! #HAWMC

My very first thought is exactly what the "title" of my upcoming book is:

"It's Not ME! It's The Disease    "Stupid"!

Well, the first thought was to add the word for description   "Stupid" at the very end. Of course I surely want people to read my book, so the very last thing I would want to do is offend someone with the title.

Of course, everyone that totally "gets" the brain fog, the lethargic fatigue, the times when you are just too ill to put makeup on to go to the market, and all of the other "times" that come with these insidiously mostly invisible diseases.

This is due to the fact, that we have SO MANY that do NOT understand any type of what we call "invisible" illnesses. 

There are times that either "brain fog" causes me not to be able... to probably makes sense to some, yet I feel they just don't "get it!"

Sometimes I would love to wear something around my neck that says "I TRULY AM NOT WELL!! Just because I may "look okay" and run out to the store, yet at home I look like hell! And there are days I DO park in the handicapped sign zone, and sometimes I don't. Yet, I have those that "stare" at me, as soon as I am getting out of my car. They think if I am not on crutches, a walker, cane, or almost crawling into the market, then why would I have that sign?

When I am upset, often it is due to the pain, physical, mental and emotional. So, those that don't "know" me, probably due to NOT listening or seeing what they should, they are mad because I don't go out a certain time, or they wonder why I can't mow my yard.

There are all kinds of things that go into what we call "Invisible Illnesses and Pain". There are days I am in horrendous pain, yet something may have to get done, so yes I go out. Just because I am out, don't think I am "better".... with anyone you know, that has illnesses such as Lupus, Sjogren's, RA, MS, FM, Chronic other back disorders, migraines, chronic pain.... there are MANY of us that walk thru life, and MANY people out there that don't "see" it, yet even with the "invisible" there are symptoms and signs to watch out for.


I now have to make lists, to remember my lists, so I don't forget my list! One day I maybe hand washing my car, the next I maybe on the sofa unable to move. Or Worse, one moment I can "appear" well, and within hours be so severely ill, that I have to go to the Emergency Room.

So, if there was a "tag line" that I could wear, use, put it on my door, or in my car, would be   - "It's NOT ME!  It's the DISEASE!!   - maybe or maybe not with the "stupid"

Also, one other that truly resonates with me is::

  "Life's Too Short! Eat Dessert FIRST!

 

 

WEGO HEALTH Writer's Challenge for April 2015!  "Your Tagline"...

What are 3 Things I am so looking forward to doing this Summer! WEGO Writers Challenge - #HAWMC April 18th, 2015

First and foremost, wearing shorts, sandals and cute Short Sleeved Shirts and Blouses! That may sound silly, but after this cold weather, with always jeans, long sleeved shirts, boots, socks, coats, and so on, I am so ready to NOT to have to put all of those on for a while. Plus I have a few new Summer tops I have bought, so I am ready to take those for a "spin"!

The 2nd activity that really seems to help me physically, mentally and emotionally is being able to get out and walk every day. That becomes my main priority and a great warm weather habit for me. So, I've already been out and about doing some of that, but with the hips and back hurting so badly, I've not been able to do as much as I want. Hopefully after the Transforminal Epidural Steroid Injection into my L-5 space vertebra, and then both hips getting injected next week, that will put me back into the physical goodness I need in order to really get out there and pound the pavement, or usually laps around a local park or my own driveway also!

I love having lots of flowers, plants, trees, and I bring almost ALL of my "indoor plants" outside for the Summer. I can usually take them out as soon as we know there will be no more surprise freezes. Then they can bask in the Summer warmth and sunshine, up until sometimes September. It depends on when our cooler weather hits, but they LOVE being outside on my front porch. Now I am talking about 70 plants or MORE that I have in my house in the winter, then they all but a few go outside in the spring and summer!!! I always giggle when I see the little tags that "NASA" puts on houseplants now when you buy them. It tells you how many "plants" per square feet in your home is best for the air. Believe me, my house is tiny, so I have way MORE than enough to "clear" the air in my home. I get bummed because there are many things that I used to love to do outside, that due to the Lupus, RA, joint replacements, Sjogren's and other health problems, my ability to do a great deal of pushing a lawn mower, doing the weed eating, bending too much, even raking, hoeing, and so much I loved to do, now is no longer feasible or advisable by my physicians. But, I can certainly do other things that are not as strenueos to the body as others.

A third thing, that I LOVE to do is put my Hummingbird Feeders out, and we both love to "bird watch" all Summer long! We have SO MANY different types of birds, and we have watched them and know so many of their "habits", why they do things a certain way, and really have an awesome time all spring, summer and into fall watching the birds. Of course the Bluejay? is the Texas "bird". But, we have loads of red birds, wrens of different kinds, finches, woodpeckers, mockingbirds, doves, black birds, and Purple Martins. There are more, but of course I can't name all. We have one pair of very "yellow" birds. They come in every year at the same time. They stay together, and usually only nest in a very thick "cedar" tree across the street. In fact, it is so "sticky" with sap, plus it has such pointed and scratchy leaves, that nothing wants to go into it, but them. I think they use that particular tree because cats, not even other birds will mess them there. We think they are a type of finch, but we find it odd that there seems to be only one pair, that come back each year. So, bird watching, we now look for the nests, and have found several nests that we've watched the little ones hatch, and how the "parents" train them and get them out of the nest within weeks. It is amazing.

I like to be able to "open up" my house and have the fresh smell of green grass just mowed, hear the birds, and just enjoy all of nature that I can soak up this time of year. I am still very much a "people" watcher, so I enjoy just watching people and see what they maybe buying or wearing this time of year. It is very interesting to see the things that others buy, and then "guess" as to watch they maybe doing or where they maybe going. When you see all of the ice chests, chips, charcoal, buns, cokes, beer and so forth, usually a picnic, a visit to one of our lakes in Texas, or on a vacation with their family.

This is also the time of the year, that I want to "rid and shed" my old self, and not just be able to put on summer clothes, but to take an "inventory" over my own home. I like to do away with things that I realize I have not used in a long time, or know for a fact just need to be done away with. As I have gotten a bit older, and as time has gone by with the chronic illnesses, pain, age part that I feel I am no longer able to take care of, like lots of knick-nacks around the house, some old clothes that we feel we just don't want to let go of, but to do an "inventory" of my home, and my life. Then I feel it is time to "spring/summer clean" out my closets, rest of the house; along with some of the "cobwebs in my mind", and from my body! Even though we always have that time of "closure" and "renewal" at the first of every New Year, to me spring and summer are also a time for renewal, to take out what we feel is "weighing" us down, and lighten up the load in our homes, minds and bodies.

I know that as I mentioned above, there are many things I used to love to do inside my home and outside, that I can no longer do, because of my chronic illnesses, joint issues, and so forth. But, I DO have MANY things I CAN still do, to take stock and move forward!

So, there are MANY things I love to do this time of year! I have to "pick and choose" now due to illnesses, and chronic pain. But, I still try my very best not to miss out on what I love the most, as I've written about above!

Happy Summer to ALL!!!

#HAWMC - WEGO Writer's Challenge!

#HAWMC WEGO Health Writer's Challenge April 16th 2015 - "Life Goal" - Can you Achieve it ot possibly more than one -

The one goal that I've been working on now since I was about 15 years old, is to be an "author and writer" and have my books published.

That had been a goal that I had committed myself to, back then even as a teenager. I guess I really never gave myself a "time frame", but of course it is something that I want to do, and be able to see if what I write helps to make a difference in someones life.

Of course a "portion" of that goal I have already achieved. I had the honor to have not just one, but two of my books published in 2013. They came out about months from one another. Those were poetry and prose. And each time I hold one in my hand, I am so thrilled at the accomplishment I achieved.

Yet, the #1 goal even in the author and writers achievements, is to finally put all of my "life's journey" through the many things I have done, endured, and certainly will have a up close and personal look into my chronic illnesses and pain. I am working on that book, already have "named" it and got a "cover" for it done. I've gotten many of the chapters already completed, so I am on my way to hopefully completing this goal at the end of 2015 or early 2016. I just feel between my blogging, my activist, and advocacy role, and being an Ambassador, I am "giving of myself" exactly what I am supposed to be accomplishing. But, this book is what I hope to truly make others know for sure, they are not alone, they are not crazy, and all they experience it truly not "acceptable" as far as health goes, and we must try to move forward, to achieve victory over Chronic illnesses, such as "autoimmune diseases and others" and chronic pain.

I never fulfilled my greatest "desire" or goal that I had thought might happen very early in my life. That was to be a nurse. I also dreamed of being able to write my own songs, the lyrics, music, and sing them too. I knew a long time ago, I would never be the next "bright and shining" star of the music world, but I can dream about it.

Of course, I've had to "redo" my "course" several times when it comes to completing this 3rd book. I find myself taking on way too many other things that to me are very important. When I allow that to happen, then I have change my course, and get back on track of what I truly feel is the most important, which of course is this 3rd book. I have already decided there maybe yet another to follow it, and give more insight to things I dealt with in life.

        

#HAWMC

WEGO Health Activist Writers Challenge!

 

#HAWMC - WEGO Writers Challenge April 15th 2015 - Get Excited!

I find myself seeming to come back to some of the same things I've blogged about over the past couple of weeks.

I know for awhile and I still somewhat still do is get excited about getting to try a different medication for the Lupus/RA. I say that because if I am "trying out" a new one, that means whatever has been going on is just not working. Thus the change in medications. It is kind of exciting and scary at the same time.

Actually when I read articles about the latest in biosimilars, or new research happening, possibly a clinical trial showing promise, all of those make me thrilled that there is a possibility of a complete remission, maybe a cure, or a way to "prevent" many of the autoimmune illnesses. I feel like once we find "why" the inflammatory processes, the body attacking itself, and if we are getting these diseases and illnesses due to a heredity factor, or our own environmental issues, then that will lead to find how to put many other diseases or complete remission. How exciting is it to think if this is something a child in the uterus is already predisposed to, and someday we can "fix" that before they are ever born, would be something extremely spectacular.

On a more personal level of excitement, I always come to the "casino" part of my life. I love the idea of making the reservations, deciding what to wear, and everything that I do to get ready to go (especially overnight), is such a wonderful feeling. Once I am completed prepared, that morning we are leaving, usually pretty early, that first few miles across town, getting on the I-45 interstate gives me a kind of "anxious excitement" in ways. I am already looking so forward to that "McDonald's" where we always grab a quick breakfast. I know when we reach that point, being at our destination is just a few miles away.

I've always found that when you are planning something, whether it be a trip, for a day or more, or you are going to some type of special event, thus the anticipation of that is a thrill to me. Being able to have an article in our local paper about my advocacy, activism and Ambassador status also just gives me a very nice and thrilling moment. I know as soon as I open our local paper, and my article on one of the first few pages, usually the 2nd page, I feel pride, I feel I am giving out to the public, information that is vital to them.

Even planning a day shopping trip out of town with my Mom is always fun. I get excited when I find terrific bargains, and can "clean up" on certain items, whether it be clothing or something for the house, I am thrilled when I see just how MUCH I've SAVED!

WEGO Writers Challenge for April 2015