The Grateful Journey Journal

Good Morning all. Another day that I feel like total crap, but something good has to come out of it. Today I am super achy and the pain in my abdomen is spreading from right to left. Yesterday, I did get into the doctor and he is sending me for a sonogram of my gall bladder. While feeling around on my abdomen he did feel some kind of lump which he thinks may be a infected gall bladder. If that is the case it will have to come out. Will find out more on Tuesday night when it's checked out. Even with all of this, I must stay positive. So here are my reasons of being grateful on this first Friday of the Autumn season.

1. Happy had a great time and his parents and tot sports program last night. We played t-ball and he really took well to it. These activities are so good for him. Next week we play hockey, I'm positive he is going to slash and cross check me if he gets the chance. He is naturally rough.
2. Brooke has made it three nights in a row sleeping on her own. She is doing really well.
3. Julie was happy with the supplies I bought her for her business trip to Cincinnati next week. It is so very satisfying in making your partner happy.

When hope is lost look within yourself to find the strength to move on. If the strength is no longer there, please call on someone, anyone to help you through the pain and suffering.

The Grateful Journey Journal

Good Morning everyone. Yes, I have made it back to the journal two days in a row. I have a lot of stuff to get done today so hopefully my body will feel up to it. Without any further hesitation here is the to reasons I am grateful today.

1. I have made it back two days in a row to the journal. In my twenty day absence I did miss the journal I just lack the motivation or creativity to write in it. I am feeling better, but this pain in my side is worrying more and more every day.
2. The show The Office, I finally got around to watching last weeks premiere and as usual it didn't disappoint.
3. My determination to figure out what is going wrong within my body. As others question my real pain or feelings, I continue on my quest that something just isn't right and it needs to be fixed.

Never give up. Even when others don't believe, all you need is faith in yourself that what you believe is true.

The Grateful Journey Journal

Yes, I'm back. Its been twenty days since I last posted to the journal. There have been a few reasons why, but the main has been my health. During our mini-vacation to the Dells I became increasingly worse. Going back to my symptoms of severe bloating, dizziness, choking feeling, nausea, anxiety, etc, etc, etc. So many symptoms I didn't want to drive, I didn't want to walk around, and I DIDN'T WANT TO EAT. It was really bad, so when we got back home I did my best to be productive, but all of those symptoms just wouldn't fade. I felt like I was going crazy. I went to the urgent care in the area, because I didn't feel safe driving the hour to our primary care physician. The doctor there suggested going to a gastro doctor, for all of my blood work, chest x-rays, EKG and so on came back normal. A couple days passed and my wife drove me out to the doctor where I explained to him I had eaten in 4 days, I feel like I'm dying. He did send me to the gastro to have an EGD done. The next day after the doctors appointment I was so distraught of these re-occurring symptoms I was at my wits end. Then finally a breakthrough! After talking to my sister and explaining my symptoms and how I was feeling she lead me to checking on the medicine I was given after the H pylori bacteria was treated, which was Nexium (Omeprazole). I found a website (askpatient.com) where you can enter the drug name and other people explain in a forum the side effects that whatever particular drug has given them. It was like a light at the end of the tunnel, so many (thousands) suffered or were suffering the same symptoms taking the same medication. It's been almost two weeks since I stopped taking the Nexium and most all of those horrible side effects have been taken away. Hooray!

Then comes the EGD which took place last Thursday. I was a little nervous as would most be when a doctor sticks a camera down your throat while you sleep. My esophagus was in decent shape and my stomach showed signs of gastritis (swelling of the tissue) along with some duodenitis. The doctor took a tissue sample of the stomach tissue to test and all came back normal. The only problem is is that I still suffer from something that just isn't right in my abdomen. I have this burning/stinging discomfort on my upper right abdomen. When I was last at my primary care physician he suggested that if it isn't the stomach or small intestine that it may be my gall bladder. From everything I read I feel it is, the pain started to come and go a few weeks back and is now a persistent dull discomfort that grows worse after eating. I have another trip to the doctor tomorrow to get an order for an ultrasound to check this out. If all comes back positive with this I don't know where to go from there. Am I going crazy or over blowing this whole thing like my wife believes? IS it something else like my colon, pancreas or large intestine.

Before I forget I finally made it back to the dentist and he brought even more "great news!" I have five cavities, four teeth to be pulled and 1 crown to be placed. Out of the four teeth coming out two of them are going to be replaced by permanent fake teeth. Yeah, I'm going to have titanium placed in my jaw bone. Sounds like fun! After all this is done I vow to myself to go to the dentist every six months. No more of this crap, I need to take better care of myself.

I'm very far behind in the journal, so today I owe you sixty reasons I am grateful. Since it is so many some of them will be short and easy.

1. That nothing bad happened while we were at the Dells. As bad as I felt I thought for sure I would end up in the emergency room.
2. The kids had a good time at the Dells despite the way I was feeling.
3. Even though I feel like crap I am able to strap it up and get what I need to get done.
4. For websites like askpatient.com. When I was growing up info like this wasn't available and I may have never learned that the Nexium had a part in how bad I was feeling.
5. Everything came back normal from my EDG. Though I still feel like crap at least I have one thing eliminated.
6. Market Day food it is delicious.
7. During my four day fasting I did lose 11 pounds. I could probably use to lose about 5-6 more.
8. The NFL season is in full effect and so is my football blog Touchdown Dance.
9. Of my two fantasy teams one of them is in first place. Go Cleveland Steamers. Team Dirty Sanchez has a lot of catching up to do.
10. My sister suggestion to check on how Nexium made other people feel.
11. To the Bears beating the Steelers this past weekend.
12. Finally the Bears have a real quarterback.
13. My wife who is a real peach. Though I have been very difficult to deal with the past few months, she is there by my side whether she believes something is wrong or not.
14. Happy
15. Brooke
16. Cailee
17. Caitlin
18. Tierah
19. Jordan
20. Alayna
21. Julie (My Wife)
22. Mom
23. Tom (my step-dad)
24. Boo Boo (my sis)
25. Dean (future brother-in-law)
26. My Pops (RIP)
27. Pop's friends who are there to still lend a helping hand whenever I need it.
28. Scooby
29. Our home
30. Our cars
31. Milton Bradley was sent packing.
32. Sports radio
33. That I am still here to enjoy this beautiful world.
34. Brooke stayed in her bed all night lst night.
35. Happy always sleep in his bed every night.
36. We got the bunk beds back, giving every one their own bed to sleep in.
37. My blog Touchdown Dance has a value over $10, 000 dollars.
38. I'm more than half way home.
39. Happy started his first sports class.
40. The kids had a ball at Tierah's birthday arty at the Tae Kwon Do center.
41. I enjoyed a beer on Sunday, though it made my stomach feel like crap.
42. Hockey is getting real close to becoming real. The Blackhawks have a good shot this season.
43. Basketball isn't too far behind either. Though the Bulls will be horribly average.
44. Baseball season is almost over here in Chicago where it has been very sad on both sides of town.
45. President Obama has a sense of humor. To all of you bashing him, get a grip. It's a tough job to resurrect a country from the turmoil it has been put in by past government regimes.
46. That I live in America. Though it seems that more people within in our own country resent themselves or their country it is still the best place in the world to live.
47. TV season is back in full effect. Only so much crap you can watch during the summer months.
48. Once again my DVR which not only never lets me miss one of my favorite programs. It also lets us spend more time with the kids before they have to go to bed.
49. The weather has been really pleasant the past few weeks.
50. Most of our bills are current and on time.
51. Frankie the wonder hamster.
52. To the Nintendo DS which helps me forget about the pain I'm in at times.
53. Sudoku, my favorite bathroom entertainment.
54. I got some booty this past weekend.
55. College football is better than ever this year and this may be the season that blows up the BCS.
56. The dustbuster which has made cleaning up the hardwood floor easier than ever. (Thanks, Pops).
57. Our laptop is still going strong without any major malfunctions.
58. The staff at the gastro doctor which made me feel more at ease before the procedure.
59. To the flu shot, because it looks as if it will be a horrible flu season.
60. That I am finished with this post.

That's a ton of reading to do. So if you made it to the end of the list, thanks for reading and you have way to much time on your hands. LOL

The Grateful Journey Journal

Good Afternoon all. A little late in getting the journal into today. We had a visit to the doctor for both Happy and I. Then we had to get Happy's prescription filled and by the time we made it back home it was already 1:00 PM. Time flies when you're running around. Which I have plenty left to do. Tomorrow we're headed up to the Wisconsin Dells for the last break of the summer. So the journal will be left empty for a few days, but as you all know I'll make up for what I missed. From the sounds of it we will have perfect early September weather to enjoy the water parks. Since I have so much to do I better get on with it.

1. Glad that we were able to get Happy into the doctor, because it turns out he does have a sinus infection which could have been made worse left un-treated along with all the water we'll see this weekend up north. He also had a little fluid in his ear that hasn't been infected, but sure would have become so if we let the sinus infection go.
2. We had a wonderful dinner last evening to celebrate my wife's birthday. We ate a place near here called Rock Bottom Brewery. Good food, nice atmosphere and even better brew.
3. Even with all the traffic we made it to the doctor right on time. See we live over an hour away from our physician. We started the kids there when we lived closer and just didn't want to change, because it is a very good practice. Just a pain to schedule appointments due to the amount of traffic we have to deal with to get there.

I wish you all a happy Labor Day weekend. I'll see you again come Monday or Tuesday of next week.

The Grateful Journey Journal

Everyday is special when you are blessed to walk this planet, but today for our family it's extra special. Today is the day my wife was born. Without that day I would be a very lonely soul still searching for my mate. Not only is she an amazing wife, lover, mother and person. We all are all better off, because she is here with us. It's another beautiful day here in the Midwest and I have plenty of reasons to be grateful.

1. As I stated above, I'm very grateful my wife was born on this day.
2. The hot, hot, super hot time my wife and I spent together late last evening.
3. The fact that I picked out the right boots for my wife's birthday present. A feeling of relief, but also I was so grateful in how happy she was to receive them.

Do something small today for a stranger, hold open the door, find something they may be looking for, reach something they may have trouble with or just a pleasant smile and really asking how are they doing.

The Grateful Journey Journal

Seems as if I have fallen behind on my journal once again. I usually don't write on the weekends (family time), but yesterday was hectic trying to organize all the stuff we brought back from storage. All was accomplished, though we have a bit to do today it won't be half as busy as yesterday. Per usual I will make up the days of the journal I missed with added reasons to be grateful today.

1. The garage is super organized now. I have a lot more tools to work with and all the kids outdoor toys are finally here for them to enjoy.
2. Pictures, we went through all our pictures last night and they always bring back fond memories.
3. Feeling much better over the last several days. Looking like I'm turning the corner on expelling this h pylori virus from my system.
4. To my nephew, for knowing he deserves better than he is receiving at the moment, but handling it like a mature young man. Keeping to his hard work and dedication.
5. I missed my first fantasy draft Sunday night. Disappointing yes, but we had something much more important to do. Partly, because I had the wrong draft time. Mostly due to celebrating the twins birthday where we really enjoyed ourselves.
6. There was so much more in storage than I remembered and I was able to squeeze it all into the mini-van. Took a couple of reloads, but I managed to push it all in.
7. Though I do my best to report on the NFL objectively at Touchdown Dance, I am so happy that the Chicago Bears have Jay Cutler under center. Kind of shallow, but I've been a Bears fan for so long and we all know the long line of crappy quarterbacks we have had to watch.
8. The fact that we have enough money to go on a mini-vacation this weekend. Being able to still afford this in these tough times both for us and many others is truly a miracle.
9. As long as we're talking about money, the cool weather we have had in these parts lately has definitely saved us some when it comes to energy costs. We haven't had the air on for a week now and it really cools down at night where it gets downright cold if you leave the windows open.

I wish everybody a safe and joyous Labor Day weekend coming up. To all the hard working people no matter what you do make sure to take the time to enjoy the "unofficial" end of summer.

The Grateful Journey Journal

Let me tell you, yesterday was a real peach. Everything was going well, no symptoms from the h pylori, we are on the way to go get the girls and then all hell breaks loose. The drive from our house to the twins school is about an hour and twenty minutes. I always try to leave a little early so we have time to stop for gas, traffic and any other problems we might run into. So we left at 1:20 PM and took the trip to go get Happy and Brookie favorite sissy's. When we started our trip I noticed that the gas gauge was about 3/8 of a tank which is all well and good, knowing I would have to stop somewhere along the way. We are approximately a little more than half way there and the car dies on a road that is busy, but no gas station within miles. Funny things is is when the car died the gas gauge read just under a 1/4 of a tank. Mark the time @ 2:22 PM. My first reaction is to yell you have to be kidding me. The second thing I do is call the girl's school to let them know I'm going to be running late and it would be best for them to jump on the bus to daycare. As we watch car after car pass us without even a hint of stopping to see if all is well I attempt to make calls to the people closet to the area to bring some help. An hour passes and yet we have found no one to bring us some fuel. Luckily enough we have the DVD player in the car keeping the kids semi-occupied. Finally at 4:00 PM I'm able to get a hold of both my step-dad and my wife. Both said they would start to head out this way, but we decide to have my step-dad just drive to us, because he is much closer.

By this time I'm no longer paying attention to the time, but finally realize that the girls daycare closes at 5:30 PM and I wasn't going to make it over there in time either. So I call the girls mother to ask if she can pick them up, she agrees. My step-dad then arrives with the gas, the most difficult part was dodging on-coming traffic to get into the tank. All is well, right? Not so much. My own stupidity in letting the kids continually watch movies drained the battery so it wouldn't start. Unfortunately for me, my step-dad has no jumper cables with him, so he heads back home to find some. It's after five o'clock now, my wife is on her way to either beat someone else to us and go out to dinner since it's way past making anything at home. Meanwhile when my step-dad makes it back home he gets an ear full from my mom for not taking the kids back with him to their house. My Mom calls me telling me she is on her way to pick up the kids, but they don't have any jumper cables. Which is OK, because my wife is on her way with the cables. My mom arrives and I put the car seats into her van and they get on their way. I called the twins mother to ask her if she can drop the girls off at my mothers so we can waste less time once we were able to get on our way. She agrees. My wife arrives about 6:30 PM and within 5 minutes we have the van started and finally get back on the road to pick up the kids at 6:40 PM.

We ate dinner at my Mom's where she bought pizza and some pull-ups for Happy, because he blew up his diaper. The whole fiasco was mostly my fault, partly the car's fault for having a bad gas gauge, but for us to be sitting there from 2:22 PM until 6:40 PM and not have one person stop and see if everything was alright absolutely astonished me. If I see a person who looks in distress or trouble I will stop and make sure if all is OK, I may not be of much help if I don't know what is wrong, but at least checking is the right thing to do. Does my extra effort to help others around me really go that unnoticed. Was it because it was Friday and all any wants to do is get home to their weekends? It was a sad day for me to realize the selfishness of literally the over 500 cars that passed us along the way. The whole incident I took with a grain of salt and was able to laugh at when all was said and done, but that selfishness really cut deep. With that rambling of a story I will also offer my reasons to be grateful.

1. The kids for being stuck in the car for over 3 hours were amazingly well behaved which helped in making the situation much easier to deal with.
2. To my wife, my step-dad and my Mom for all pitching in to help in a situation I could have stopped from happening by stopping for gas earlier.
3. The pizza that we had for dinner and it didn't give my stomach any problems afterwards. Hooray for pizza, I missed you!

If you see someone in need of help, please stop and ask. They might not need it, but the gesture in itself is what counts. Not to mention you really may be able to provide an ounce of help that may go many miles away.