Had my GI Consult this morning. What a way to start the day. Well at least it’s Friday.

After reviewing more test results and my medical history (and the families), they have decided to do both the Endoscopy (upper GI tract) and Colonoscopy (lower GI tract) both on the same day. How about that? A doctor doing something that actually makes sense.

Depending on the outcome of the tests, I may require a third test that involves me taking a “horse pill” which is actually a camera that will take a picture of my digestive tract every two seconds once swallowed. Let’s hope not.

That reminded me of a conversation I had with my Kidney doctor. He was showing me a snapshot of my left kidney and saying how good of a picture it was. My response was something along the lines of “why can’t I take a decent external picture?” Now I might have pictures of my digestive tract to accompany the kidney? I’m not even trying to think about that.

Anyway, the whole thing is supposed to take about three hours and I’m going to need someone to drive me home afterwards, and I’ll be out for the remainder of the day.

I have to be on a “clear liquid diet” the day before the procedure, drink some nasty (lemon-lime) prep as well to “cleanse my colon” and nothing to drink after midnight. It’s going to be a long Sunday in September.

I’m having my IVIG today. Kaye and Dawn (the nurses here) are wonderful and we have a nice relationship. Even though we have been doing this for over a year, we are all looking forward to the day where I don’t need to have IVIG.

One of the advantages (if you could call it that) of this whole “experience” is not having a cycle every month.

I don’t know if it’s the CIDP, if I’m about to enter the era of “personal summers”. Whatever it is, I like the fact of not having a cycle. I certainly don’t miss it.

Slept very well last night. I must have because I was up too early this morning. I went for another walk this morning. I forgot how HOT & HUMID the beach is first thing in the morning. Even still, I wasn’t the only person out and about. There where plenty of joggers, bikers, and skaters out this morning. It felt great to “be a part of that number”.

Later that night

I’m definitely getting my strength back. Up early this morning and late to bed tonight; or truth be told, early Sunday morning.

Pass the Blessings

Spent today in the cutest little cottage in VA beach. Mother and I went for a nice walk this evening.

Today is my anniversary date.

Yep, yep. It’s been one year to the day since my butt hit the kitchen floor and my world as I knew it drastically changed.

As I sit here reflecting on the past year and ALL the changes my family and I have gone through dealing with this disease, I’m reminded once again of how truly blessed I am.

In the past twelve months, I’ve gone from:

being in good health and hardly seeing my GP to seeing doctors / hospitals twice a week for months.

having the ability and strength to do just about anything I wanted to not being able to do the simplest of things such as unscrewing the top off a soda bottle;

able to walk my dog for miles without getting tired to not being able to walk to the driveway and back without being exhausted.

needing a walker and a cane just to navigate, and then realizing it’s not a wheelchair friendly world or workplace.

having good nights sleep naturally to becoming a “dope fiend” at bedtime just to get to sleep.

realizing the “systems” (DSS, SSI etc) you’ve paid into all these years aren’t able to help you, or you have to fight to get any help at all.

There’s a lot more that I could list, but there is really no need. The point is I’m still here, in better health (mental and physical) and I keep improving daily.

We are all survivors.

First and foremost I MUST give Honor and Glory to GOD!

Secondly I need to thank my parents, especially my Mother.