How It All Began

Around Dec 12, 2006 I started feeling ill, you know nausea, vomiting, etc. Naturally, I just figured it was something I ate or a bout with the stomach flu. Most people wouldn't jump to the conclusion that you have a chronic disease right away. I started to feel a bit better as the days went by, but on Dec 18th, it all came back with a vengeance. I had been thru ulcers, gall stones and 2 abdominal surgeries, not to mention having 4 kids, and I had never hurt this bad before. I threw up so much I wouldn't have been surprised to see my socks come up. I stayed in the hospital until the 23rd when they released me so I could be home for Christmas. That didn't go so well. I was back in within 24 hours ad spent the holidays in the hospital. I don't remember much about them. I left the hospital the 28th with a Picc line, IV phenergan and no answers. They have no idea what brought this on. I had my gallbladder removed in 1989, I had a surgery to open all my valves that drown my stomach so stricture couldn't be an issue, and I don't drink because it interferes with my meds. They could tell me what it was but not the why. (That has to be the most frustrating part I think.)

I spent the next 4 months trying to control everything at home. Pain meds and IV nausea meds,
plus various treatments such as pancreatic enzymes to try to control it. I tried every treatment IU's gastroenterology department could come up with to no avail. I couldn't eat, yet I gained 60 lbs in 3 months! The doctor's decided that the weight gain was from the lack of exercise, since I now spent most of my time in bed, and I must be exaggerating about not being able to eat. They didn't even take into account that my hair was falling out. I tried a second opinion, but didn't get any better than I already was. I decided I was not going to drive 5 hours each way to see Dr Pompous Ass when I got not relief out of it. So I gave up on treatment all together.

I decided that this was just going to be my life. I had pain and nausea meds and I was just going to manage it on my own. After all I was a nurse so why couldn't I take care of me? I would still end up in the hospital 1-2 times a year when it was too bad for me to handle. After a few days I come back home and start all over again.

I wish this story had a happy ending, but unfortunately, the story has only begun. I still battle small-mod attacks 2-3 times a month. Any activity that lasts more than a few mins causes me to start sweating profusely, sweating and the nausea to begin. I feel like a hermit. I go out to doctor's appts mostly. I try to get out whenever I have a good day, but that doesn't happen often. I try not to stress about it because stress just causes a flare up. There must be a lesson or silver lining in here somewhere, but I am still looking for it. So I decided I would start writing it all down. Maybe somewhere in all this blogging I will find some answers.