Tuesday, March 31, 2009

well... hurray, at least i know FINALLY what is wrong. the clinic that Cam forced me into... literally with bribes and my kicking & screaming. but as i sat there in the cold chair waiting for my name to be called i realized that i really needed to be told what it was that i was going to be told.

so... after i had to lie down, after i was poked a dozen times and told to breathe deeply "in and out, in and out" i sat up to discover that yes, indeed stress is my enemy!

so here is the deal:
i have an imbalanced sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system.

The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is a branch of the autonomic nervous system along with the enteric nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system. It is always active at a basal level (called sympathetic tone) and becomes more active during times of stress. Its actions during the stress response comprise the fight-or-flight response. (http://en.wikipedia.org).

The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is a division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), along with the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS or "bowels NS"). The ANS is a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). ANS sends fibers to three tissues: cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, or glandular tissue. This stimulation, sympathetic or parasympathetic, is to control smooth muscle contraction, regulate cardiac muscle, or stimulate or inhibit glandular secretion. The actions of the parasympathetic nervous system can be summarized as "rest and digest" (as opposed to the "fight-or-flight" effects of the sympathetic nervous system). (http://en.wikipedia.org).

Apparently because of this imbalance, one of my nervous systems is compensating for the other and dominating. Therefore, some of my organs aren't exactly "happy", they aren't functioning the way they are supposed to. So my stomach is pumping out more stomach acid than it needs, which is backing up into my esophagus and causing extreme heartburn/pressure/pain. The doctor said that the treatment is some pills and its fairly straight forward but the duration of the pill taking is tricky. i have to go see him next week this time, and he is forcing the second visit by only giving me a weeks worth of pills! Also, he figures that the last time i had an "ulcer" was not an ulcer at all but an inflammation like what im going through now, another "attack" as he called it.

After I got home and swallowed the monster pill, i did some research and am honestly a little freaked out but also very happy and excited with my findings. It turns out that this imbalance could be the result of the trauma I had when I was born (I almost died, I had the umbilical cord wrapped around my head three times), and could be responsible for my digestion issues and hormonal imbalances. crazy huh!? Well.... Im just taking it easy now, and trying to de-stress... Im going to research tactics on how to de-stress, does anyone have any pointers?

But Im not allowed coffee anymore, and no advil. O, and my headaches are connected to this all too apparently! So once my chest pain starts to go away with the meds the doctor gave me, my headaches should too.

love and hugs!
hey peeps... so I think I have come to the conclusion, after some Medical searching on the web, that I either have an ulcer or just really bad heartburn which either or SUCKS to be plagued with. O well, I guess the stress is getting to me and all the "over indulging" is causing my body to scream in revolt. Cam is taking me to the clinic today after he gets some homework done. I have today and tomorrow off (thank goodness!). But you know the sucky part? If it is an ulcer I'll have to stop taking Advil again, and stop drinking coffee again, so than WHAT THE HECK am I going to do for my headaches? AHHHH!
Stress SUCKS!

On another note, a lady came in to work yesterday, shes awesome I really like her. Actually there are a few customers that I adore! But anyways, she mentioned Sureslim to me because I had mentioned to her weeks before my wedding that I was on it cause she asked how I lost all the weight (I can't believe she noticed, Cam hardly noticed). But anyways, I had to ashamefully admit that I have been off of the program since the wedding and that its "hard to keep to now that Im married". But then on my way home I thought to myself, "what the heck is my problem? I have gained all the weight back that I had lost for the wedding and I desperately need to start taking care of myself if I want this heartburn/ulcer/stree to go away". So folks, Im going back on it on Thursday. I just need to buy a food scale. geeeeezzzzz.... Im becoming that kind of wife that I swore I never would become. You know, the kind that says "the hell with it!" and eats themselves into a size HUGE pant and gets diabetes and dies of a stroke (like my Oma).

O... speaking of my Oma, My moms aunt is amazing! My Tante Lilly gave me my Omas, mothers china set! (thats my moms grandmother, my great grandmother Angelika). I am OVER JOYED! I can not believe that I now own the china that my grandmother ate off of at special occasions, that has been in the family for years, its the BEST wedding gift of all time. Even my kitchen aid stand mixer, and my dyson vaccum don't add up to how much of an incredible gift this is. I am beyond thankful and beyond joyful to recieve it. Now I get to serve special occasion dinners with this china. And it is definitely my taste, its gold rimmed, with a floral pink pattern. I will post a picture of it soon. I bet there are second cousins and other women in the family that are pissed off that I am the one who got it! But I don't care and I fully intend on passing it down through the generations. Its like a piece of my Oma again, its like my Oma gave me this for my wedding, its like having her in my home. When I finally got to pick up that plate and exclaim how much I love it I cried a little... I miss my grandmother more than anything else in this whole world, I would give up soooo much just to be held my her again **tear**.

Well, Im off to relax on the couch and watch the remaining season 7 of Gilmore Girls. I really REALLY need this chilling time.

Love, prayers... and a big huge hug!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

hey... just a quick one before work! Im working file this weekend and the next, then I get two off in a row! Just need to get through these two first before I get the sweet time off! Im not sure but now Im getting chest pain/pressure, still have the headaches, and Im dizzy and sorta sickly in the tummy if I don't eat the "right" things. I have no clue whats wrong with me! but Im dealing with it I guess....

Life is wonderful! Cam and I are looking for an apartment in Langley, please keep us in your prayers that we find something in our price range that is perfect for us! Im really nervous since we're putting in our notice and last months rent the end of this month.

eeekk... just a few minutes before I have to take off!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

hey folks! well... and update, and yes the nose tea-pot story for you Alissa!
it so happens that the water from the tea-pot, as I stuck the thing in my nose, tilted my head as I was supposed to according to the picture and directions.... almost make me throw up in the sink and cough like a crazy person!!!!! Cam was wondering what I was doing up there and was sad that he missed the spectacle that was me. Im not sure if that twenty bucks was a waste of money or not because Im scared of the thing and may never do it again! No! not me!

In other news... heehee, I went to the doc. Not my doc (I don't trust that lousy man who couldn't correctly diagnose me if my life depended on it). I went to the walk in clinic in Langley, with my mommy of course cause Im a little girl! But I was brave and waited in the little waiting room all by myself (really, I was impressed with myself). The doc came in, who was awesome! He was so nice, and so little, and so kind and listened which is new to me with medical doctors (other than Dr. Williams who is my gynecologist and the most amazing doctor ever! Kort will agree Im sure). Anyways...
He asked me the usual questions which were associated with trying to discover if my headaches are in fact migraine related, and since I researched before the appointment what kind of headaches I could be getting, I knew what info he was fishing for. Most of my answers were, "no! light & sound don't effect it", "no! Im not vomitting although Im feeling very much like I want to do so!". So he came very close to look into my eyes and TA-DA! nothing seriously wrong with me **breath of relief** but that my headaches are stress related and that I need to "change my lifestyle" and if I do indeed "change my life-style and take the advil he is recommending me to take" and Im not better in a couple months then I have to go back and see him again to talk about what else it could be.

If I take the advil every day on time (every four hours), then I feel somewhat alright, but if I miss it for a little while (like this morning) then I feel headachy, dizzy, sickly, and well... just not too pretty. More weird and faded like. Im not sure whats up! And no Kort, I haven't done what you suggested, although Im wondering if I should.

Okay guys... Cam and I are attempting to look at our taxes now, he has the stuff all laid out on our kitchen table, and as much as its going to give me a headache, he brought home my favorite wine so maybe that'll make it less painful.

Lots of love and smiles!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

hello all who read (which I am assuming is only Alissa and Kort!) O well, no matter to me, this is such a good way to vent! hahaha...

so these past couple of weeks?
I FINALLY got to see Alissa a couple weeks back! which was super and so much fun, we talked so much that I ended up staying in that Starbucks for 3 1/2 hours with two beverages! And then I was finally able to see Kort yesterday and her adorable baby girl Alexys who is so pretty and looks very much like her mommy. Another Starbucks drink and lots of "adult" conversation which was very encouraging and fun. I also got to see Julie on Thursday night last week which was wonderful, another Starbucks date! (I always end up there). She filled me in on all of her Mexico adventures, and we were there for at least two hours, only one drink that time though.

Its been so great to finally catch up with important friends, and now a date with Amy will happen next week, and hopefully one with Traci as well, I feel like time just keeps slipping away.

Lately Ive realised that I just need to keep positive and keep my focus above. I find myself slipping into this helpless, hopeless, horrible depressive state which is ridiculous because there is NOTHING for me to be sad about. But I get into this state of mind where all I want to do is swear at everyone and everything, run and hide and cry forever! Im at least finding God again in all of it... and recently an entirely different state of mind. Ive also completely transformed my diet, and Im going to start moving more to relieve my stress. So... maybe thats what's helping?!

Ive been having these horrible headaches, they are behind my eyes and have more recently moved to the back of my head. I will get them in the middle of my sleep, while Im at work, while Im typing on my blog. They will come for hours and hours, leave for a little while and then creep back. Ive tried warm cloths, sinus pills, that water blue medicine pot, changing from contacts to my glasses and then back to contacts. Everything I can think of to explain it, and nothing seems to be the cause. So Im going to the walk in clinic tomorrow. I hope my mom can come with me for support, and well, to hang out cause I haven't seen her in a while.
Im a little nervous cause one of the girls from work has been in the hospital for three days because of her headaches :S
Fingers crossed that worse case I need to get my prescription changed in my glasses or I have an infection of some sort. I hope its nothing worse.

well... off to bed! Im exhausted and hope my head stops aching.

O yah... I seriously have the BEST husband ever! I was soooooo mean a couple days ago, dealing with my depressive state, and then when I finally snapped out of it I apologized like crazy! and what does my husband do? but buy me the most gorgeous pink roses (my fave!) because he thought that I needed a "pick me up!" and wrote in this super sweet card the most wonderful love letter. Seriously! where did I find this guy? And I am soooo glad that hes mine forever!

take care everyone, and be healthy!

Thursday, March 05, 2009

well apparently The Woman's Hospital of Reproductive Health, isn't done with me yet. I just got off the phone with the reception office to book myself another appointment with Dr. Williams. Ive been putting it off too... Im not going into detail why the appointment was made, Im not even sure myself exactly. But I knew it had to be done, Mom was telling me to, and well so was the hubby. So its done, May 6th I'll be heading to downtown Vancouver to sit and wait in the uncomfortable chairs with my mommy, reading magazines I don't care about with Women around me who have the same problems I do. O well... the journey isn't over apparently.

The surgery? It went PERFECTLY! I couldn't have asked for it to go better, and that abdominal, gut, horrible, "can't move an inch" pain is gone! PRAISE THE LORD!

So... I need a hobby, I need to find what Im good at, what Im creative at, what makes me excited to wake up in the morning (other than cam) and do it! I just can't keep watching tv and hoping that my future will approach quicker than it is.
I need to stop feeling so sorry for myself, I need to get over it and live life to the full. And other than psychology (which I find the most fascinating and is what I want to master in work), I think that health is another subject of upmost curiosity. Especially Womens health. I really want to study... maybe I should take out books from the Library, or start up my own book collection. I really still want to paint, what? No clue at all! and scraptbook! Maybe finally I can make that creative wedding album that Ive been dying to get my hands on. hmmm.... all very interesting projects. I need to make a list.. yes, a list is good. All the sudden Ive turned into a list maker, where did this come from? Its like I started to plan my wedding (forever ago!) and finally realised that I take such joy in organization, my goodness!

O... the HighSchool Musical Marathon is happening sometime next week. IM SO EXCITED! :)

Now today is "relax all day" Day (other than cleaning the kitchen and attempting my hand at yoga) because my sinuses are CRAZY! and acting up, with extreme pressure which makes wearing contacts impossible, and causes my eyes to squint, even the meds aren't helping so Im thinking that sickness is on the horizon, therefore, relaxation and Gilmore Girls season 5 watching will help. Its my kicking it in the butt attempt. Unless its the coffee, which means I need to stop drinking it which will make me very sad. Unless....hmmm, decaf, I will buy decaf!

This weeks agenda?: KORT! when are you free?, hanging out with Mommy, sleeping over at the parents place cause its closest to work for my weekend shift. And cleaning the house. I love making sure its clean. O... along with the "get in the groove of food and symptom journaling" agian. I always feel like Im complaining for no reason, when my 5 years of agony and resulting Endo kind of proved to me that the complaining is jusitfied.
O, and finding new recipies, my dinner making plans aren't working for me to I need to come up with a different approach.

Love and Hugs.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

WOW! is it really March already? I can't believe it! It feels like just yesterday I was getting ready for the biggest change of my life and now Ive already been living it for the past two months and what a fairy tale it is! Although Cam has been hardcore into the books the past few days, its been so nice to do somethings around the house for a change. To be domestic. I baked some really amazing banana bread today, FINALLY I got to exchange my white Kitchenaid stand mixer for a red one!! and it only took two months! :P Im not bitter... not at all (I lie!). But I am very VERY thankful for my incredible husband who called The Bay, went down there on one of my late Saturday shifts... put my name on a list, waited for them to call and traded in my white for red. So far Ive made chocolate chip cookies! Pizza dough & the wonderful banana bread! I LOVE baking and cooking, my favorite passtime and I am so glad that I have a husband that LOVES to eat baked goods.
I also... got laundry done, did some hardcore cleaning in the kitchen, made the bed and went shopping for some much needed skincare products. I even called up my brother Jason to come over and keep me company cause Cam was too focused on his homework and I was VERY bored after I finished my errands for the day (before 1pm even!).
Now... I await my 6am shift for when I do the books at work, then I am off to FINALLY see Alissa for coffee. SO excited, I havent seen her since she was my fantastic bridesmaid. I can't wait to chat her ear off, and hear her wonderful adventures that have taken place since we last saw eachother.
My life is crazy right now:
I also have plans to sucker my dad in letting my mom and I take over their basement for our much anticipiated HIGHSCHOOL MUSCIAL MARATHON! Friday night, with movie snacks and the whole nine yards, I will even bring pj's and might drop by a theatre for popcorn! I have to see my friend Amy,my other friend Julie (she got back from Mexico so Im dying for details), I have to call Becky cause I MUST get details on her life and have her talk my ear off about her new baby boy, I need to see Nantina and get my wedding lipstick back. As well as, grocery shop, make and freeze dinners for these next couple of weeks so I don't need to think about it, mail my thankyou cards from my wedding that are sitting in the glovecompartment of my car and learn yoga cause I think its going to help my evolving health crisis.

Lots to do and one Gilmore Girls episode to watch now before bed!
Love you all...

O and please, pray that my father gets a job soon. PLEASE. and that Cam and I get through graduation, find an apartment in Langley close to our work, and that Sue even has enough work to give Cameron once he is available again, also... just prayer for health.
And a praise! our marriage is going even more fantastic than I ever imagined or dreamed so thank you jesus for that :)