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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Aug 14, 2016 11:40:03 GMT
zellaStill thinking positive thoughts for you. You are so brave for seeking out our help. And so strong for keeping on. (((hugs)))
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,080
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Aug 14, 2016 11:52:13 GMT
Hey Zella, we need you to stick around. You not only know how to spell per se, you know how to use it.
Hope everything improves soon.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Aug 14, 2016 20:53:15 GMT
zella Still thinking positive thoughts for you. You are so brave for seeking out our help. And so strong for keeping on. (((hugs))) Aww, thank you. I can assure you I feel neither brave nor strong. But I'm still here.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Aug 14, 2016 20:54:00 GMT
Hey Zella, we need you to stick around. You not only know how to spell per se, you know how to use it. Hope everything improves soon. That made me smile! Thank you. I need all the smiles I can get.
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,566
Jun 26, 2014 14:12:17 GMT
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Post by anniebeth24 on Aug 14, 2016 23:20:19 GMT
Another Pea just reaching out to say hi and letting you know we're out here all around the world thinking of you.
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,183
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Aug 14, 2016 23:32:50 GMT
I admire your honesty. I think it takes great strength to admit to a problem and say that you need help. Good for you! I also wonder if keeping a little something in your stomach/digestive system might help? I don't have major issues like you do, but I know that I'm most likely to have cramps and need the bathroom quickly after eating if I haven't eaten for many hours. It's like the food hitting an empty system triggers the cramping and evacuation. I'm sending you hugs, and hoping that you can focus on some other things that might distract you at least a little from the pain. Maybe you should make a goal to post on every thread on the first page or so - even if it's just to ask a question if you know nothing about the topic.
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Post by shescrafty on Aug 14, 2016 23:45:07 GMT
zellaI am sorry you are struggling right now. I am so proud of you for reaching out and saying "I need help." That shows a lot of bravery and I know how uplifting it can be to know others care about you and your problems-the peas absolutely care! I hope you can get some answers and relief soon. Until then pls continue to check in and reach out when you feel the need. Lots of virtual hands will be here to help you along!!!
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Post by peasapie on Aug 15, 2016 0:08:51 GMT
My son has a crap ton of stomach issues, along with IBS in general and psoriasis and depression, and I truly feel for you and what you are experiencing because I've been going through this with him for 25 years. There seems to be a true connection between the gut and the emotions, back and forth, so maybe if they can figure out the gut it will help your head, too. He has finally gone off all dairy and realizes how much worse he is with that trigger food. Do you have allergies, too?
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megsienz
One Post Wonder
Posts: 1
Aug 15, 2016 0:21:24 GMT
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Post by megsienz on Aug 15, 2016 0:32:41 GMT
Hi there I have been a long time lurker, but your post has brought me out of the shadows as you have tummy troubles very familiar to my own. I'm so sorry you are feeling so miserable. It is really horrible to first be in pain and then not knowing what it is and how to fix it. I have had similar problems with my stomach for a number of years. I don't want to sound preachy, these are just things that I have found helpful myself, but you sound miserable and I just thought that maybe my personal experience might help you. Personally, I would stay away from any carbs, especially white bread and potatoes while you are so sore. Sweet potato is ok though. I would also definitely think about going dairy free. It could help with the diarrhoea. I don't have any dairy in my drinks, especially for coffee but I drink soy instead, and I find this helps. Also, there is a really good app called the Low FODMAP diet app. This tells you which foods are not great for you by marking them with a red mark and giving foods that are ok as green. You might be eating a vegetable that you think is really good but it is actually causing the upset.
Hope that helps a little. As I said, its just my personal experience, but sore tummys are no fun!!
Hang in there
megsie
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Aug 15, 2016 6:25:19 GMT
My son has a crap ton of stomach issues, along with IBS in general and psoriasis and depression, and I truly feel for you and what you are experiencing because I've been going through this with him for 25 years. There seems to be a true connection between the gut and the emotions, back and forth, so maybe if they can figure out the gut it will help your head, too. He has finally gone off all dairy and realizes how much worse he is with that trigger food. Do you have allergies, too? Poor kid. He's got a tough row to hoe. I don't know if I have any allergies or sensitivities. I plan to get that figured out over the next month or two. The only thing I know for sure gives me problems is corn, whether on the cob or popped. But I can eat things made of corn. I plan to get food allergy testing done via bloodwork, not the skin tests. Many years ago I did do skin testing, and the only food that showed up at all was peanuts, and I can eat them; it's only if I eat a lot that I have a problem, and even then it's nothing like the symptoms I've been having. There's an IBS clinic in Seattle, and I read a book written by the guy who founded it. He claims almost all IBS cases are due to either food allergies or sensitivities, bacterial overgrowth in the gut, and/or a lack of good bacteria in the gut. Once I get my colonoscopy done, and unless it shows I have an inflammatory bowel disorder, I am heading to the clinic. You might try getting your son to read the book. www.amazon.com/Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome-Solution-ebook/dp/0976853787/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471242290&sr=8-1&keywords=stephen+wangen
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Aug 15, 2016 6:30:24 GMT
Hi there I have been a long time lurker, but your post has brought me out of the shadows as you have tummy troubles very familiar to my own. I'm so sorry you are feeling so miserable. It is really horrible to first be in pain and then not knowing what it is and how to fix it. I have had similar problems with my stomach for a number of years. I don't want to sound preachy, these are just things that I have found helpful myself, but you sound miserable and I just thought that maybe my personal experience might help you. Personally, I would stay away from any carbs, especially white bread and potatoes while you are so sore. Sweet potato is ok though. I would also definitely think about going dairy free. It could help with the diarrhoea. I don't have any dairy in my drinks, especially for coffee but I drink soy instead, and I find this helps. Also, there is a really good app called the Low FODMAP diet app. This tells you which foods are not great for you by marking them with a red mark and giving foods that are ok as green. You might be eating a vegetable that you think is really good but it is actually causing the upset. Hope that helps a little. As I said, its just my personal experience, but sore tummys are no fun!! Hang in there megsie Hi Megsie. I'm sorry you suffer too. I avoid dairy most of the time, but some days it doesn't bother me at all while other days it does. There seems to be no logic to it. This is true of almost all foods for me. I also drink soy milk and use it on cereal and oatmeal. Potatoes are one of my safest foods. I actually hate sweet potatoes. I can't eat them at all. I LOVE coffee, and I haven't had any in several days, and I'm really missing it. But I don't dare drink it when I'm not doing well. Thanks for the info about the app; I'll look that up. Mind you, I have a windows phone, and there aren't as many apps for Windows, or at least, there are different ones. But that would be very helpful info. Edited to add: thank you for coming out of lurkdom for me. That means a lot to me. xxx
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Aug 15, 2016 6:32:35 GMT
I admire your honesty. I think it takes great strength to admit to a problem and say that you need help. Good for you! I also wonder if keeping a little something in your stomach/digestive system might help? I don't have major issues like you do, but I know that I'm most likely to have cramps and need the bathroom quickly after eating if I haven't eaten for many hours. It's like the food hitting an empty system triggers the cramping and evacuation. I'm sending you hugs, and hoping that you can focus on some other things that might distract you at least a little from the pain. Maybe you should make a goal to post on every thread on the first page or so - even if it's just to ask a question if you know nothing about the topic. You know, that is actually an interesting goal, and something a bit different. Thank you!
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Post by gar on Aug 15, 2016 10:07:03 GMT
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Post by jennyap on Aug 15, 2016 11:18:16 GMT
Hi zella I have a 'game' recommendation for you. It's on Facebook if you use that, and both iPhone and Android app stores I believe. It's called Cross-Stitch World, and it's pretty much just colouring by numbers, one square/stitch at a time. You can either let it highlight the squares for the colour you're working on (if you want to think as little as possible!) or not (when you can handle a bit more). I tried it out because I do real cross-stitch, and this is of course much quicker! TBH I thought it was a bit silly to start with, but also find it surprisingly addictive. It's easy, absorbing, and non-competitive, and might be right up your alley.
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Post by miominmio on Aug 15, 2016 11:23:19 GMT
Thinking about you ((hugs))
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Post by woodysbetty on Aug 15, 2016 11:45:50 GMT
It's so hard when you are sick and tired of being sick and tired......but you are important, you are loved, so keep reaching out. Here, your therapist, the suicide hotline....
Maybe try some deep breathing, inhale for a count of 4 exhale for a count of 5....focus on simply breathing in and breathing out....if your mind wanders bring it back to your breath. If thoughts persist, think to yourself, I aware of ...(whatever thought keeps coming up) but don't follow the thought, go back to your breath...
As an example, you are breathing, mind slows, and suddenly you notice a sense of unease, instead of following where that story usually takes, simply say to yourself I'm aware of this sensation, and then bring your mind back to your breath counting as you inhale and exhale....
I struggle with my health at times too and this helps keep me grounded...I hope you can feel the huge hug I am sending and the sense of peace and light as well!!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 15, 2016 16:28:40 GMT
Lexica , I love your mental vacation description! My counselor also had me come up with a 'mental break' place for when I'm feeling stressed or want to calm down... I've never learned 'real' meditation but the mental visualizing is very helpful. In one of my weight-loss classes on handling stress, the psychologist said meditation doesn't have to be 'emptying your mind' exactly; just do or think of something that helps you to focus / calm down / breathe. For that, I use any one of several things, depending on what I feel like doing: my mental-break visualizing, coloring on a coloring book page, or doodling in my art journal. (ETA: I'm going to try and remember the 'vacation without limits' idea- I love the idea of visualizing underwater scenes with all the fishes, coral, etc.) My 'happy place' is sitting at the end of the dock on the lake where we went on vacation every year as a kid... the smell of the water, feel of the sand on the dock, hearing the water, hearing and seeing the birds, etc. I would LOVE to go back there for real someday, but for now, visualizing is the best I can do. zella , I hope you're doing okay this morning... oh, as for breathing, I found this a week or two ago and it's quite helpful to me, as well-- maybe you, or someone else might find it useful as well! DeStress Monday gif: "Breathe With the Shape" I find it difficult to slow my breathing down if I'm trying to do it on my own, but the visual helps me with it.
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Post by Lexica on Aug 15, 2016 19:40:50 GMT
crimsoncat05, I'm glad you like it. I used to use this visioning vacation to help me relax enough to go to sleep when I was going through my very stressful divorce. Suspending reality and letting yourself do anything in any environment makes it really fun. I should have tried this when I started having those anxiety attacks! I didn't even think of it. I wonder if it would have helped me to slow my heart down and get control of myself again. Fortunately, I am on medication and haven't had these anymore, but if I get one, I'm going to try this. I also don't allow myself to feel guilty if I do something bad in these fantasy experiences. This particular fantasy will undoubtedly show all sorts of things about my damaged self at that time, but it was very cathartic. My ex became a really bad guy during our divorce and told lies, made numerous threats, and got very violent and controlling during that time period. I was not the woman I am today and I just stood there and let him harass me back then. It wouldn't happen now, but I didn't have the backbone and feelings of self worth back then. Because of this, I had one fantasy that I repeated whenever he really got to me. In it, I bound his wrists and ankles with thick rope and attached him to a large hook. The hook was on a massive chain suspended from a crane-type apparatus. I suspended him over a huge vat of boiling hot oil. I had the control buttons and as I would go through the lies he had been telling, I would give him the opportunity to tell the truth. He didn't, of course, so I would lower him a foot or so into the boiling oil. He would beg to be brought up. Lather, rinse, repeat until he told the truth about whatever it was that was upsetting me at that time. I would go through the latest hurts and continue to dip him in the oil until he was eventually totally submersed and all that was left was a skeleton. I would raise the hook up and look at the dried up bones of this person who I had been so terrified of. He was no longer capable of hurting me. A cool breeze would begin to blow. As it hit the suspended skeleton, it would begin to crack and crumble to dust, and get carried away by the breeze until there was nothing left on the hook but the rope. After these visions, I felt a sense of calm that would allow me to fall asleep peacefully. And like I said, I suspended any feelings of responsibility or guilt for what I did. The underwater ones were really fun to do. I would spread my arms out and get swept along in dense schools of little fishes, or ride on the backs of the dolphins (who didn't need air either so they stayed submersed with me.) Sometimes I would try to pick up where the previous night's vision left off because I enjoyed creating them so much. If you try this, let me know how it worked for you. Well, not the dark hostile visions that I used to cope with the ex though.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 15, 2016 20:28:16 GMT
I'm lol-ing a bit at your very vivid description of the vat of oil visualization- I've never thought about doing any 'cathartic' ones like that, but it is kinda tempting!! (thank goodness they don't have thought police, huh?? not that we'd ever do the things we all think about... but I'm sure most people have thoughts like that now and then.) in case anyone wants to listen to a lecture about visualization and anxiety / worrying, I just came across this one on the UCTV Youtube channel... How Your Brain Can Turn Anxiety into Calmness. He talks at length about the biology / physical differences in the parts of our brains, what they're each for, and discusses the differences between worrying about things we can't control, anxiety, stress, etc. Somewhere shortly after the 1 hour mark he actually goes through a guided imagery exercise with the lecture hall audience, which I participated in while listening to the video; it was a really good one, in my opinion; his voice is really soothing.
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Post by jennyap on Aug 16, 2016 14:52:19 GMT
How are you doing today zella?
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Post by peasapie on Aug 16, 2016 14:53:29 GMT
My son has a crap ton of stomach issues, along with IBS in general and psoriasis and depression, and I truly feel for you and what you are experiencing because I've been going through this with him for 25 years. There seems to be a true connection between the gut and the emotions, back and forth, so maybe if they can figure out the gut it will help your head, too. He has finally gone off all dairy and realizes how much worse he is with that trigger food. Do you have allergies, too? Poor kid. He's got a tough row to hoe. I don't know if I have any allergies or sensitivities. I plan to get that figured out over the next month or two. The only thing I know for sure gives me problems is corn, whether on the cob or popped. But I can eat things made of corn. I plan to get food allergy testing done via bloodwork, not the skin tests. Many years ago I did do skin testing, and the only food that showed up at all was peanuts, and I can eat them; it's only if I eat a lot that I have a problem, and even then it's nothing like the symptoms I've been having. There's an IBS clinic in Seattle, and I read a book written by the guy who founded it. He claims almost all IBS cases are due to either food allergies or sensitivities, bacterial overgrowth in the gut, and/or a lack of good bacteria in the gut. Once I get my colonoscopy done, and unless it shows I have an inflammatory bowel disorder, I am heading to the clinic. You might try getting your son to read the book. www.amazon.com/Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome-Solution-ebook/dp/0976853787/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471242290&sr=8-1&keywords=stephen+wangenI will order that book for him. Thanks. Like you, we have found he is most allergic to the raw product: in his case, milk, yogurt and sour cream - but can eat a little dried milk like cheese. I've read about the intestines having the same serotonin sensors as the brain and that sensitivity to food can affect both digestion and emotions. It sucks and is a double whammy! I think the best food allergy test is by eliminating almost everything and adding one thing per week back in. Unfortunately, my son doesn't have the patience for that. My friend did it and discovered she was highly allergic to just two things: shellfish and pineapple. But those two things were destroying her system!
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 16, 2016 15:00:35 GMT
Zella how are you doing? I've been thinking of you...
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tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
Jun 26, 2014 15:57:39 GMT
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Aug 16, 2016 15:03:44 GMT
Hey zella! So sorry your tough times are still hounding you. Hang in there and know we are all here for you!
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Aug 17, 2016 7:19:54 GMT
Hi zella I have a 'game' recommendation for you. It's on Facebook if you use that, and both iPhone and Android app stores I believe. It's called Cross-Stitch World, and it's pretty much just colouring by numbers, one square/stitch at a time. You can either let it highlight the squares for the colour you're working on (if you want to think as little as possible!) or not (when you can handle a bit more). I tried it out because I do real cross-stitch, and this is of course much quicker! TBH I thought it was a bit silly to start with, but also find it surprisingly addictive. It's easy, absorbing, and non-competitive, and might be right up your alley. Hi Jenny. I actually have that game on my Kindle, which is what I use for most of my gaming. It's a funny game, isn't it? With the bigger pictures the last few "stitches" can be quite hard to find even when they are highlighted. Thank you so much for thinking of me.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Aug 17, 2016 7:22:28 GMT
It's so hard when you are sick and tired of being sick and tired......but you are important, you are loved, so keep reaching out. Here, your therapist, the suicide hotline.... Maybe try some deep breathing, inhale for a count of 4 exhale for a count of 5....focus on simply breathing in and breathing out....if your mind wanders bring it back to your breath. If thoughts persist, think to yourself, I aware of ...(whatever thought keeps coming up) but don't follow the thought, go back to your breath... As an example, you are breathing, mind slows, and suddenly you notice a sense of unease, instead of following where that story usually takes, simply say to yourself I'm aware of this sensation, and then bring your mind back to your breath counting as you inhale and exhale.... I struggle with my health at times too and this helps keep me grounded...I hope you can feel the huge hug I am sending and the sense of peace and light as well!! I'm doing the breathing. Thank you for caring so much. xox
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Aug 17, 2016 7:30:41 GMT
Lexica , I love your mental vacation description! My counselor also had me come up with a 'mental break' place for when I'm feeling stressed or want to calm down... I've never learned 'real' meditation but the mental visualizing is very helpful. In one of my weight-loss classes on handling stress, the psychologist said meditation doesn't have to be 'emptying your mind' exactly; just do or think of something that helps you to focus / calm down / breathe. For that, I use any one of several things, depending on what I feel like doing: my mental-break visualizing, coloring on a coloring book page, or doodling in my art journal. (ETA: I'm going to try and remember the 'vacation without limits' idea- I love the idea of visualizing underwater scenes with all the fishes, coral, etc.) My 'happy place' is sitting at the end of the dock on the lake where we went on vacation every year as a kid... the smell of the water, feel of the sand on the dock, hearing the water, hearing and seeing the birds, etc. I would LOVE to go back there for real someday, but for now, visualizing is the best I can do. zella , I hope you're doing okay this morning... oh, as for breathing, I found this a week or two ago and it's quite helpful to me, as well-- maybe you, or someone else might find it useful as well! DeStress Monday gif: "Breathe With the Shape" I find it difficult to slow my breathing down if I'm trying to do it on my own, but the visual helps me with it. Thanks for the breathing exercise link; sounds interesting and I'll be checking it out. I have a few things that I do when I'm feeling bad. Coloring is one, but I have very little patience for it, it turns out. Watching Survivor. Watching random YT videos. Playing games on my Kindle. And singing. If I don't feel sick, just bummy, singing lifts me up. I've been part of a singing group in the recent past, along with DH. I miss it. Unfortunately the group dissolved after a bunch of people either quit or died (dh and I were the youngest in the group. . . most were in their 60's and 70's). I'd love to start a new singing group. But I really only want to do it with hubby because he is a brilliant pianist/arranger/director. And he's just too busy right now. Oh, another thing I've started doing recently is reviewing products. I'm getting some of the products at a big discount, and some of them free. It's really fun to me. My special place is Kaanapali Beach on Maui, specifically at black rock. It's the day we were there on our last trip to Maui. Our younger daughter and I were in the water and turtles came right up to the shore and were playing with us. It was so amazing. I have other happy times I try to access too, but that's the best one.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
Jul 7, 2014 19:36:30 GMT
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Post by zella on Aug 17, 2016 7:43:32 GMT
Hi everyone. Had a couple of busy days so I haven't been able to post much here. Physically I've had two pretty good days. Not great, but not too bad either. I have my colonoscopy scheduled, but it's not until late September, which surprised me. When my regular dr comes back from vacation I'm going to ask her if she thinks that's okay, and also ask her how I can make sure they test me for celiac while they're "in there."
The next two evenings will be busy for me; I hope I am well enough to do what I need to do. I am on the board of a theater company, and this coming weekend is our 5th Annual Ten Minute Play Festival. I'm directing two of the pieces. One of them I really enjoy, the other is depressing and not well-written. Anyway, tomorrow is tech rehearsal, our first time in the actual theater space. Thursday is dress rehearsal. Then 3 performances on Friday and Saturday. I hope my actors do well and make me look good, lol!
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Post by scrappintoee on Aug 17, 2016 8:46:33 GMT
hi zella! So glad you checked in Your upcoming plays sound fun, I hope your actors do well. Just remember, you have LOTS of peaple praying for you and sending ((( hugs )))!!!
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Post by miominmio on Aug 17, 2016 8:47:43 GMT
Hi zella. Thinking of you.
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Post by fridaycat on Aug 17, 2016 9:19:29 GMT
I haven't read all the replies but have you or your doctors looked in to the possibility of Celiac disease? My daughter has it.
Prayers for you. Hang in there, undoubtedly there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
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