That's a relief about the car!

M

There are similar clubs all over the world. I can ask the director, Elaine, if there is one in Lafayette. I will also ask her where they are in NY in case Bobby is interested.

I had a lovely day yesterday with a lady my age named Stephanie. She's disabled for physical and psych reasons, but is high functioning when stable like me. There was no lack of conversation because we're both very chatty, and she also smokes. We did the lunch tickets together.

I had lunch there for the first time yesterday. I got a salad and a cup of potato kale and chorizo soup for $2.25. It was excellent!

Elaine somehow convinced me to stay for the club meeting after lunch. There were about 15 people there. The initial business was very interesting. Elaine discussed relationships with two different organizations that lobby for clubs like ours to get funding and resources. That was followed with seemingly innocuous fluff. Stephanie was outspoken no matter what the subject was, and all her comments elicited responses from a woman named Rose. Things got out of hand and more people got into the fray… the situation being difficult because everyone in the room, aside from staff, was mentally ill, including me.
I barely know these people and didn't know what they were fighting about so I just felt bad for all the people who were upset. I honestly couldn't tell why some people were upset and I'm not sure they knew either. But I don't deal with conflict well and had to leave the room pretty quickly before I had an anxiety attack. I'm really surprised I was the only one. They took a break a couple of minutes later and everyone was fine except Stephanie who was very upset and left before I could talk to her one on one. I feel bad about that.

I'm going to see my PCP today about my GI issues. I don't think there's anything else he can do to help me. I really hate the thought of adding another doctor, but I think I'm at the point now that I really need to see a gastroenterologist. I can't go on like this.

man! the meeting sounded intense!
sorry you did not get to talk with stephanie too.
soup sounded very good!
bizi

thank you
bobby

I saw my PCP on Thursday. He increased one of the prescription meds and recommended adding another OTC… that makes 5 meds for my GI problems now. He ordered a whole bunch of plain X-Rays (I already had them done) that I imagine will be useless and is referring me to a gastroenterologist. My appointment isn't until May 12th, but the receptionist said that they will review the notes from my PCP and give me an earlier appointment if they think I need it. If my PCP documented everything we discussed, that's what will happen. Everything I eat makes me sick. I would stop eating, but taking the meds on an empty stomach would make me sick.

I wake up around 6am every morning without an alarm. If I stay up really late I may wake up as late as 8, but never later than that. Yesterday I slept until 1pm!!! I can't remember the last time I slept that late!!! I don't know why… I have been feeling terrible because of my GI issues, but am otherwise fine. At any rate, it didn't interfere with my sleep last night. I went to bed at 10pm and woke up this morning at 6:30 so I'm right back on track.

The letter I needed from the NH DMV got here Thursday. I'm just waiting on my driving record now. I'm sure my request is at the DMV by now, so I should have it in 7-10 business days. My husband's going to take me to the MA DMV a week after I get it. I plan on going straight to my insurance agent from there. So, I could be finished with part 1 in as early as 2 weeks! I'm very excited!

how much do you think nerves or anxiety are contributing to your distress or can't you tell? you have been under so much stress and must have cabin fever on top of it all.
bobby

You are right about the stress, and especially the cabin fever, Bobby. I wish this had something to do with anxiety, but unfortunately it doesn't.
It's MS and the meds, and possibly something else. My digestive system is not working right… I can't go to the bathroom, I can't bend over or burp without throwing up in my mouth, and the abdominal pain is constant despite all the meds. That's why I don't want to eat…