Emptiness

August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Shannon the face of a warrior

What is this?

Paralysis of all or part of the stomach. There is no cure and limited treatment options. Some people can not eat at all and require feeding tubes. For others, like myself, easy to digest food can take hours or days to process.

Common symptoms: Pain, Fatigue, Bloating, Nausea/Vomiting, Dehydration/Malnutrition, Feeling full after a few bites of food.

This is my invisible illness:

I was finally diagnosed in 2015 after several years of dealing with many issues, and no clear answers. It all started because of damage to the vagus nerve from a liver surgery I had back in 2000. My symptoms didn’t start to appear until about 10 years later. I had been tested for many things, but nothing had been a clear answer to all my issues that seemed to come and go. It hasn’t helped that I have had 5 abdominal surgeries in my lifetime, which means I deal with lots of scar tissue problems which only complicates my symptoms.

It wasn’t until 2015 when I was finally tested for Gasteoprisis (GP) which came back positive. I was relieved because now I had a real reason for my flares (times I would have these really bad episodes, of all the symptoms above). Having never heard of this, I quickly became educated on how to better deal with these issues and improved the awareness of my diet. These “flares” can come at any time, sometimes with no warning.

Interestingly enough, I quickly realized that I wasn’t alone. I found a couple of books and several support groups on social media. I realized that my GP is mild compared to so many. However, because mine is caused by damage to the vagus nerve, I can get progressively worse. I am grateful for an understanding husband, and for understanding coworkers, as they all make sure I take care of myself.
I’m telling a bit of my story because this is an invisible disease that has no cure, and so many are affected – it can be anybody, and child, all ages. I hope by telling my story it will bring better awareness. August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month so you will see green ribbons, and hopefully more social media posts about this terrible disease.

What is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve. It contains motor and sensory fibers and passes through the neck and thorax to the abdomen.

#GPwarrior #
#GPfight #CureGP2017

If you would like more information about Gastroparesis, please check out the website below.

Riley and Braska

Time to say goodbye

I remember the first time I saw you both, you were watching out the window at the top of the stairs, it was like you knew I was coming to your house for the very first time.

You both excitedly greeted me, I was curious about these two beautiful medium sized dogs. You looked like a small chocolate labs. I quickly found out you were ½ German Shorthair Pointer, and half Vizsla, a breed I had never heard of. I quickly researched more about both of these breeds, and fell in love with you both. You both were just over 2 years old, litter mates, you looked so much alike it was hard to tell you apart. As I grew to know and love you more, I soon found the vast differences in your personalities. I soon could tell you apart, even without the magic colored collars you had. Blue for Braska, and Red for Riley. It was the easiest way to let anybody know who was who!

I often said that you two were like having identical twins, with opposite personalities!

I was happy when your daddy asked me to marry him, and I got to become your mom. You two have been a big part of our beginning and will always be part of our hearts.

It’s been a fun time, you both have brought joy and laughter to our home. Riley was always the playful bright-eyed girl, who loved to swim in grandpa’s pool. Braska wanted nothing to do with that! Braska was smart and devious – she figured out how to open the doors, and even destroyed a door from working so hard at it.

You both always traveled well, and were inseparable until we lost Riley 2 1/2 years ago. Riley had eye cancer, had to remove her eye at 9 years old, but it didn’t stop her. She still kept playing and occasionally ran into a wall she didn’t see!

Braska was lonely when we lost Riley, I wasn’t sure if she would make it a year. After a few months I finally convinced dad to let me bring home a puppy. You wanted nothing to do with her at first, but you eventually accepted her, showed her the ropes, and even played with her once in awhile. You taught her a love for ice cubes and an intolerance for squirrels. I believe she kept you active longer than we should have expected.

Braska wasn’t able to defy her age… hearing mostly gone, eyesight no so great… afraid to be touched. One minute playing with the young mutt – next struggling to stand or walk. Seeing her in pain wasn’t easy – knowing that she has lost some of who she was was even harder.

It’s difficult to say farewell, but I know you are ready to be with your sister Riley once again.

Time to say goodbye my sweet girl. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Thank you for letting us share our lives with you. We are glad the pain will end. We are sad that we’ve reached the end of the road.

When you cross the bridge, Riley will be waiting for you. Don’t steal her ball right away.

I love you.