Here is one of the pictures.
I am very tired mentally today. Dealing with my family takes a LOT of effort.

Today

Today went well. I was very nervous for some reason... perhaps my mom? It was really nice to have everyone at my awards ceremony. Two of my favorite doctors showed up, my boss, my boss's boss, two nurses, and all of my coworkers along with P, my mum, and my nephew A. I felt honored.

Pics to follow.

Good things to report.....

I have been so busy and meant to update this blog every single day, but just never found the time.

Several people have asked me for updates on what good thing happened. I didn't realize that I never said.

Good thing #1:
P fulfilled a lifelong dream and was accepted to MIT. He will entering into a graduate school program in System Design Management. The post-placement rate is outstanding as is the school's reputation. No we are not moving to Boston - although we really seriously considered it. P will work full time and spend selected amounts of time on campus (hopefully I can come with him some of those times) and be finished within 2 years. It's a very intense program and many, many apply so I am very proud of him. It means good things for us as a couple. It won't be easy, financially or timewise, but we can make it through together.

Good thing #2:
This was a big surprise. I am the recipient of the top award where I work - the "Shining Star" award. I am both surprised and humbled by this. Only 4 awards are given out among the thousands of employees each quarter. There is an awards reception tomorrow where we invite our friends/family/coworkers and give a speech. P is taking the afternoon off work and my mom is driving down. Yes you heard that correct. My mom is driving down and bringing my nephew. I didn't think she would come through and I had to juggle a bunch of stuff around. She will be on her own until tomorrow afternoon and then P will pick them up and meet me at the reception. I then am taking Thursday off because I don't want to leave them alone. We'll run around and do some crazy stuff. My stomach has been in a tizzy all day because I'm worried sick about everything. I ruin everything by getting stressed out I guess. It is nice they are coming though and I will post some pictures when I get them.

Friday night

Right now P is making me a birthday cake. It is a flourless chocolate cake that can be found at the tapas restaurant San Chez which is one of our favorites. He also is making chocolate truffles. We met some friends for Japanese food and then took a walk. It was really gorgeous out today. This week we are celebrating my birthday since things are so hectic during the week.

Everyone is asking me about my Dr. visit on Wednesday. I guess I just have a big mouth since how do all these people know about it. Ooops. Maybe because I've been cancelling lots of stuff because I've been sick. Well bad news. The GI Doc (whom I don't care for) thinks that I have Crohn's disease. Oh joy. I don't honestly believe him. I still think I have Celiac Dx. I for one am around 20 lbs too heavy to have Crohn's, I do not have blood loss, and I do not have excrutiating stomach pain as a general rule(although I did today). I will not take Prednisone, Cyclosporine or any other immunosuppressants. I.will.not. Next week, I am scheduled for a wireless capsule endoscopy. This involves swallowing a camera that is a pill. That will examine my small intestine which is the suspected source of trouble. As soon as this is over, I will start on the gluten free diet and show that doctor that I am right. Wish me luck please and keep me in your prayers.

It seems like all I ever talk about is my various illnesses. I"m so sorry. It's just such a big part of my life right now.

Somehow even with my anemia I manage to get in around 14,000 steps per day so that is a good thing.

5 years old

Crap - I'm blind. It must be the iron deficiency. There are 5 candles on that cake making this June 1978.

It's that week again.

Yes my birthday is this week. Sigh. I really don't care much for Birthdays to be honst. They are indeed better since met P. I always wait for some big 'bang' and they turn out like any other day, sometimes lousier. Anyway, I'm full of cynical goodness today. I went to my MD and had my blood drawn. Now I have no iron in my blood, before I had very little. She's suprised I manage to stay as active as I do. Anyway - the plan is to see the GI doc on Wednesday. I'll keep you posted.

Birthdays seemed so simple then.... I think it was my 6th circa 1979? I sure had great hair and damn was I cute. Check out the crazy jazzed up disco throwback pantsuit my sister has on. She has to have on the stupid outfit so I look even more cute and special on my birthday. The frightening thing is that her daughter has that exact same haircut, almost 30 years later. By the way that was not wallpaper.... it was paneling that matched the carpet.

Very nice day today.

I had a nice day today. P is out of town on a fishing trip that I bought him for Christmas. The weather was so perfect. I seem to talk about the weather a fair bit, but that is because it does impact the type of day I have or like to have. Anyway, it was 75 and sunny but not hot. Perfection. I was up really early, and worked in the yard, edging and pulling weeds. Then I cut the grass, then watered. Then I swept and cleaned the garage. THen a man came and gave us a quote on painting our house. All told I was active for around 3 hours.

Then I went out to lunch and had lemon rice soup. I did some shopping and running around after that. I then went to meet my friend and co-worker N and her family in AA for dinner. Then her and I went and saw Ocean's 13 which I thoroughly enjoyed.

My stomach was great today and it was a very nice day.

Terrible Tragedy....

You must have heard on the news about the UM Plane that crashed carrying transplant staff and transplanted organs. It hits close to home on two levels, being a organ recipient family and being a UM employee. I knew of one of the victims and they were just super nice, productive members of society that really believed in organ donation.

I'm much better than yesterday - I'm able to eat today! I also got in 14,500 steps through a variety of activies. (gym, home, walk at lunch, work).

It's been 7 years.

Happy Anniversary to me. P took me on a suprise trip to GR for the weekend. It was really nice. Too bad my stomach is a complete mess.

It's June 1st......

I can't believe it is June 1st already.

I got back from A-town yesterday afternoon. Was very ill with my usual stomach issues, so it made for a long trip. I was all relaxed and then acquired some unexpected drama/stress last night (not involving me thank goodness) so I didn't sleep very well. Ugh.

I have today off! Yeah. I am going to drag myself to the gym and then run errands. The weather is really humid here and our grass is really long. I am going to make P cut the grass this weekend if it doesn't cool off. My flowers look great! and I am really pleased with that.

Oh yeah - the big news- I'm getting braces. Why yes, I did have braces already in Junior High. They want to move around some of my teeth (the few that I have) and then possibly a lower jaw surgery (less recovery time, less pain, numbness than upper jaw), followed by a chin implant (how exciting), followed by dental implants. I had my big multi-disciplined consult last Friday with the oral surgeon, the dental fellow, the dental supervisor, two prostadontists, one orthodonist, and several dental students. I am a very popular and unique person at the dental clinic at the U. Why didn't my parents bring down there when I was 12? I was lucky to even get braces, seriously. My mum likes to remind me that it cost $2000! The dental insurance paid for half at the time. Apparently, according to my two aunts, mum and grandma who have the condition, pulling out their teeth and getting dentures in the 1940's & 1950's (isn't even an option for me due to my jaw) was good enough for them and dammit, it should be good enough for me. Kind of frustrating. My mum can't understand why I am doing all this. The lack of support from her can be difficult. But I am super excited!!