Going on a Cruise with GP

Well, for the past week, my husband surprised me with a cruise to the Carribean and Bahamas for our ten year wedding anniversary. I have to admit, I was a bit apprehensive. I had been really ill with a gastroparesis attack or flare for a while now. However, I wanted to get away. I needed to rest and the ocean sounded wonderful. Swimming and a hot tub sounded wonderful. I really wanted to make the best of it and crossed my fingers that I would have some good days. I didn't want to disappoint my husband or make him feel bad. It was really sweet of him to take me on a cruise that I've never done before, plus go to islands I wouldn't have thought to visit. So, I packed and was feeling excited. I had hope and that's important.

I was scared that I would be sick on the cruise in an RV sized bathroom:

The corner of the room in the far right was the restroom.


I have to admit, though, the cruise was relaxing. I think the ocean helped a lot, believe it or not. One of the few things that doesn't make me sick is the ocean. I don't get sea sick. However, the cafe we ate (or me, barely ate at) was buffet style with a lot of people. It made me sad to look at all of the things I couldn't have. Also, people seemed to bathe in perfume or cologne. It made me gag a few times in the elevator going up to the cafe. When I got there, all I could think was:

I did make the mistake of trying to eat and be normal. I went horseback riding in the ocean, which was amazing. Then, I noticed my belly swelling up like I was nine months pregnant. I felt so self conscious and unbelievably fat. I'm heavy already but not usually that heavy, which is weird to me because I almost never eat. The people at the horse farm weighed me in front of everyone because they said the horses couldn't take someone over two hundred and thirty pounds! I've never weighed anything like that, ever. I just felt sad and depressed but riding in the ocean with the horse made it better.

I was a poster child for this picture.



When I do eat, I get cramps (really bad ones), and then I start vomiting. The last two days of the trip, I spent in and out of the bathroom and was so amazingly ill. I started crying at one point because I felt like I couldn't go on. My throat and belly hurt so much, even my knees hurt from bending over to get sick.

I got to celebrate my tenth anniversary without a flare. Thankfully, it waited until the next day. I had so much fun on my cruise. I got to sit on the balcony of my room, listen to the ocean and read. If you're thinking of going on a cruise, I'd recommend it. I have a blog article about traveling with GP that may help you if you think you wouldn't be able to travel:

Previous blog article: http://www.emilysstomach.com/2013/07/information-about-gastroparesis-and.html

I was scared but everything turned out all right. I say if you want to travel, you should go for it. Don't let your GP stop you. I didn't.

GP, Weakness, and now Ovarian Cysts to the Mix

Today was a good day, so I was able to leave the house for the first time in months. My husband and I are looking for replacement dressers, nightstands, and a bed frame. My current dresser is too wide with a mirror and it takes up a lot of space. I've abused it over the years so the drawers don't quite fit in place anymore. We picked out a three drawer nightstand for both of us and five foot dressers with two small drawers at the top of the dresser for things like socks. They're being built and will be ready in three weeks. Also, My husband is going to take me back to buy the bed frame I want (the picture is included) and a vanity (which I don't have a picture of yet). I'm just excited to have furniture that will last forever, as long as we take good care of it.

After the shopping trip, I have never felt more tired. I was so exhausted and weak. I came home and took a three hour nap. I just feel worn out and sick to my stomach now. I just took my anti-nausea pills but I think I may have overdone it today. We did go to a lot of different places. While it was good to get out of the house, I shouldn't have pushed myself so hard. But, I really wanted to be a part of the decision making process for our bedroom furniture. I can't wait to get the bed! Here is a picture of the frame that I want:

Right now, I'm just really exhausted but this furniture is keeping me motivated. I'm really excited to buy sheets, a comforter, and pillows for the guest beds. I'm also excited to have our room fixed up so it won't be so cluttered. I'm excited to have nice, brand new things. I'm not knocking second hand things because they're wonderful but this is the first bedroom suite I've owned that has been brand new that Jesse and I have picked out together and we couldn't be more excited! Also, it was a lot cheaper than most stores wanted for particle board crap that wasn't even reinforced. This is real oak and the drawers will not fall out of alignment. This store was a great find!

But, I've done too much this weekend. We also bought a day bed for the guest room/library along with a trundle bed so that guests will actually have a place to sleep. That involved a trip to IKEA and that failed. So, we went to The Original Mattress Factory where we've ALWAYS had good luck, and we found what we were looking for there. Here's a picture of the guest bed we purchased:

I've only vomited once today, which is a BIG improvement but I have a feeling it's going to be a rough night. My stomach's decided that it's not finished yet. I'm just so weak. I hate feeling like this.

Oh, and Jesse hung up all of the blinds downstairs in the breakfast nook and the sitting room! Now, I can sit here and read without people peering inside of my house! It's almost becoming home. We're finally putting in the finishing touches! lol

On a sadder note, I just want to feel better. I've been taking motilium which has been helping a lot but you can't get it in the United States even though it's prescribed EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD! We have a very screwed up health care system. I've upped the dosage on the pills according to the instructions. I take two to three pills three times a day. It lets me eat. Although, like clockwork, after two hours I vomit but some of it DOES stay down which is a big improvement over what's happened in the past. I wish that Georgia would allow medical marijuana. I really would like something to make me hungry and allow me to eat and to actually FEEL hungry. The nerve medicine makes me somewhat hungry but not always.

If I'm this weak and tired after a shopping trip to a furniture store, campus is going to kill me. *sigh* That's a problem I still need to deal with. I need to get my doctors to write letters and I need to sit down with my adviser to come up with some sort of plan, if I can make it to campus without vomiting.

I'm seeing the OB/GYN on Tuesday to address my ovarian cyst. I'm scared to go by myself but I'm scared to ask a friend to go with me since, it's a GYN trip but those ultrasounds hurt and they're going to have to do a trans-vaginal ultrasound to confirm the cyst is there.

It was originally picked up by the CT scan my doctor did and I have the paperwork that I'm taking with me. I have a 2.8cm cyst on my left ovary. But, it hasn't even registered because of my gastroparesis and knee issues. Sad, huh? Well, I'm trying to take care of one thing at a time. I'm not sure what the treatment options are for the cyst once they locate it. That's why I want an extra pair of ears with me. I don't always catch everything.