Over the past few years, things have become more clear to me. And I have found a few things that seem to help. Just thought I'd share, and I'd also like to hear what works for others!

*I start each day with a Carnation Instant Breakfast. This insures that my stomach has something easy to digest...I guess you could say, it gets my stomach going for the day. You could try other drinks like Ensure, but they're not as tasty.

*I've learned that I feel so much better when I'm loaded down with fluids! A Gatorade a day keeps the doctor away~ lol, don't I wish...but serisouly, it will make you feel better! Or try the new vitamin waters...they have less salt then the Gatorades do. But some of us need our salt, so go figure?!

*Rest, rest, rest! Even when I'm feeling great, I still have to take it easy. And it takes me twice as long to recover when I'm sick or recovering from surgeries.

*Speaking of surgeries.....The smell of alcohol pads will help with nausea afterwards.

* Alcohol pads and/or ginger tablets help with nauesa while flying.

*I've learned that I will never be able to ride any kind of ride at an amusement park....heck, I have my own ride built in....LOL... Oh, and driving through the Mountains will seem like a roller coaster ride to those of us that have problems with dizzness.

*I've learned that actually watching the kids play, can be far more impotant then actually getting out there and playing with them. Don't get me wrong, they miss the Mom that ran circles around them, but they have also told me that at least they always know where I am, and that I'm always right here when they need me....It's funny how the way someone says something, changes the way you look at things.

*I've learned that if I don't like what a doctor has to say, I can get a new one. We all have the choice to get a second, or even third opinion! I once had an OB tell me that I needed a captain of 'my' ship. And that she was like a crew mate. That all the crew mates have a special job, but it's the captain that puts it all together. I learned that I have to be my own captain!!

*I've learned that we are ALL intitled to our medical records. I have started keeping a copy of mine at home. This helps on so many levels! I have also wrote down every doctor appt. I have had in my adult life. It helps that I save my day planner every year. This way I can look up when I had what test done, or when I last saw someone. I know I must look crazy with it, but for real, I can't remember all that stuff!

*And I've come to realize that this is what it is, that's it's here to stay.......and now I just gotta figure out how to LIVE with it!

Thanks for the tips - you sound very positive and I'm glad you are doing well. I have to agree with you about what you said about your kids. Guilt over not being able to do things with them was really tough for me but then I realized I really wasn't "doing" very much anyway except for running them around and being really busy. The old saying "quantity isn't quality" is really true. My kids like that I'm around and I am noticing them much more and just talking to them and not just being busy.

I often say to others exactly what you did "it is what it is". I don't like it and I never stop hoping or looking for ways to feel better but if I just pretend it's not there, I just set myself up to feel worse.

WATER, WATER, oh, and more WATER....

Its the oddest thing because I used to never drink water, I was a 6 pack of Pepsi a day kind of person. By the time I got sick, I had stopped the caffeinated drinks but was drinking tons of soda and lemonade. never water.

But after I got sick, water became my best friend.

When I'm tired - water. Short of breath - water. need some energy - water.

And along with the water - rest. Don't push myself to the edge.

Thanks Trebleclef.....I do try and stay positive, most of the time. All of it has become rather ammusing, and I keep thinking~ what next??????.....But I do it with a smile on my face, even if it isn't a real one. My mom never let me give up as a kid, and that strengh has carried over, if I didn't have it, I would of giving up a long time ago. Well, that and the kids.....if I gave up, what would that teach them.

I have to say, I love your saying! "You can spend your life angry and bitter about what has happened, or you can go on from here and make a life worth living. Choose" - Captain Brien Thomas Collins, a Green Beret who lost an arm and a leg in Vietnam. WOW! I gotta go write that on the wall, and remind myself every day, that I must move on. I tend to dwell on the past too much!

And Wantmeback! lol......Got water?
I have noticed though, that I can't drink cold water....it gives me an attack of IBS?!?!

Drakonfly,

I really love that saying too - hope Captain Collins doesn't mind that I hijacked it....
I used to say I had no choice in all this and how it affected me. But, there really is a choice in how I respond. Believe me, I don't always take the high road but I try to as much as I can.

Stay strong.......