THE TRAIN - Coldwater Canyon (on CD Baby)

This is by special request. ;)  As for me, yes.. I'm Deplorable and only watch Trump events at RSBN's live stream on YouTube (Wayne Dupree as well).  What can I say... I've been waiting for Trump to run for President since the late 80's when he was asked repeatedly about it.  :D

It's About Time.

When I first began blogging it was for one specific reason--venting.  I needed a place where I could get things off my chest that were bothering me so I could get on with life without cumbersome emotions or baggage.  I had ONE blog at that time.  When things got tough, and they often were, I would visit my blog and unload to my heart's content, not giving a single iota to being politically correct or holding back out of some delusion that I somehow had to be 'polite' here.  The venting would ensue, fall upon the screen, and I would be left to bask in the aftermath of some seriously epic purging of thoughts, feelings, and more.  In the end I would usually go back and delete the long-winded and emotionally-charged entries, knowing I could do so now that some time had past.  That blog still exists and I still post in it as often as possible, and I named it "All Things Ephemeral" for a reason, even if that reason no longer exists.  Let me explain....

A few years ago I made the decision to stop deleting the entries.  Being honest with myself I realized that I was deleting so as not to 'hurt feelings' of those I vented about.  No matter that I left off names and details that would give much away to the wrong set of eyes reading, I decided it was somehow 'impolite' to share even my feelings and experiences.  Boy, was that ever stupid.  I'm glad I came to my senses and stopped editing the content over some perceived butthurt it may cause someone else.  But, did I really stop editing my own entries after all?  Well, today I figured it was something worth investigating.

I often come here and stare at the blank screen where bits of my life would fall and wonder... "How can I actually talk about this?"  I know as I write just how much I'm holding back, even when I don't WANT to.  Still, the struggle to set myself free remains just that--a struggle, even today.  Even when I know the healthiest thing I can do for myself is write about it, get it out of my system, it's remains incredibly difficult just the same.

What I want very much to do right now is to take the first step in 'going there,' to talk openly instead of using a string of allusions to piece together a story that, when all is said and done, remains unclear and ill-explained because of that fear below the surface of truth.

A Bold First Step

My next blog entry will be in This Free Spirit, and I tell you this because it will ultimately be the first blog entry in many years where I hold little if nothing back.  With failing health I need all the help I can get to break the bonds of emotional servitude, and the first step is to open myself completely to the idea of 'almost' full disclosure.

Wish me luck....

"You've chosen lessons of pain"

I received a message with this video in it yesterday.  I have no idea who the person is who sent it... but, oddly.. this is one of my favorite songs and one I listen to every night.  Headphones on, dark room, and songs to obliterate the thoughts....

I See What You Did There.

You're either part of the problem or part of the solution.  Anyone who's been in a relationship knows that if there's dysfunction there's damage.  In my case there's much damage to both my emotional state as well as my physical state.  It's not hard to understand the VAST difference between "Enabling" or "Supporting," and you have to pick a side eventually, right?  So when it comes to choosing which side you're on, use compassion, care, love when making such a choice, because you can easily break someone's will when you're pushing them in the wrong direction with every move or choice you make, with every word uttered, with every action.  At some point you have to ask yourself: "Who's side am I on?"

Let's hope your answer comes from a loving place, otherwise you've just embarked on a journey that could utterly destroy another human being from the inside-out.  Think I'm wrong?  Think again!  Here's how it happens....

Now, while I should be entering this in my blog "This Free Spirit," I'm beginning here.  Why?  Well, as some of you know I created this blog for talking about health and diet-related issues, and this particular entry deals with the emotional side of the success or ultimate failure of health goals when dealing with the lack of a support system and living with someone who is hell-bent on undermining my goals.  I guess I should copy this entry in the other blog as well, because it's incredibly important to know how closely related the issues of health and surroundings are.

Ever had one of 'those' friends who can't stand it when you do something to better yourself, your life, your health, your emotional wellbeing?  I think we all have had those people in our lives, right?  Sometimes it's a friend, other times it's an enemy, and there are times when, sadly, it's a loved one.  We give other people power over us, many times without realizing what we've done.  This is often the case with family, especially with a significant other such as a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse.  The damage inflicted by carelessness, indifference or overt sabotage is mind-blowing, and it's a serious undertaking to get oneself back on track when this happens, and especially if it continues to happen.

As you guys know by now.. I'm on Prednisone, which is KNOWN for massive edema (water weight gain), fat gain and redistribution.  Knowing what to omit or avoid in your diet while on prednisone is key to minimizing it's bad side effects.  Let's visit this for a moment, shall we?  And trust me, I'm going somewhere with this.

What to avoid, limit or omit while taking long-term, high dosages of Prednisone:

Salt.
Sugar.
Junk food.
Refined carbs.
Processed foods.
Fast food.

The list of what to avoid is pretty straight-up and not at all hard to understand when common sense is applied.  So if you're living with someone with dietary restrictions, and dietary restrictions are always due to a matter of great importance.  In my case there are several reasons ranging from avoiding the damaging effects of prednisone to having a heart condition and now high BP.

I've talked to T on many occasions in reference to what I have to do and not do to protect my health, and those talks have been over the better part of TWO YEARS now.  So this is not a new topic by any stretch of the imagination.  And yet he continues to do the things that he shouldn't do, and that is to bring home ALL of the items on the "Avoid" list, and he does so on a regular basis, citing he 'Forgot' or takes the stance that he just somehow just doesn't get this.  He has a 150 IQ, so how is it he  doesn't know or forgets?

Junk food, and TONS of it.  Processed food that now fills the shelves of the pantry.  If he cooks something (and these days he does most of it because I can't stand but for a few seconds, literally) he drowns the food in salt, mayo, or anything and everything that really isn't even remotely required.  And most of the time the food is pre-packaged crap that has little to no nutritional value.  He will literally forego cooking any vegetables, even the frozen kind you can pop in the microwave.  See, this is the part where being "Dangerously dependent" on another human being means risking your life and health.

One of the most horrid places to be in life is at the mercy of another.  It requires a great deal of trust to be at the mercy of someone, and when that someone does everything possible to undermine your health, your goals for better health, it becomes a dangerous, dangerous game.  I want nothing more than to have enough of my health and energy back where I'm SOLELY responsible for preparing my own meals.  The level of stress and anxiety that comes with being at T's mercy is through the roof, thus risking my health even more.  I have no idea what to do about this.

The shelves of the pantry, the inside of the fridge and freezer have mostly junk, processed crap that offers very little nutrition and a LOT of calories.

I talk and talk, I beg and plead, I send him links to read about the effects of eating that stuff to him... links he really just ignores as much as he ignores my text messages.  Who IS this guy??

Why do I bother talking to him?  Why do I bother sharing anything with him?  Why do I bother texting him, sending him emails, etc. when they go completely unnoticed?  He will read for an hour links and such people leave on his FB page, but he has NO clue what's going on with me unless I spoon-feed it to him.  I've grown weary of spoon-feeding him information and holding his hand to walk him through every...single...step of learning anything at all about what I'm dealing with.

Does he know anything about autoimmune hepatitis?  Not really.  What he knows is what I've told him, and I can't hold a seminar for him.  If he's not going to take the time or invest anything into learning, then why should I bother?  I've mostly gotten to a point where I don't--bother that is.

So what's really going on with T?  Well, given his habit of indifference.. there's really no telling if he's just being careless, or hell-bent on sabotage.  I don't believe it's the latter, but the former isn't any prettier nor particularly helpful.

It's time I sign off, complete a couple of other entries in my other blogs and wait for the Lasix to kick-in.  This means camping out in my room so I can be near a bathroom.  Lasix, btw, is a powerful prescription diuretic, so this is going to be fun.  NOT.

Wish me luck....

Changing the Dialogue to "Yes, it's okay to focus on ME."

Crossing entries on my blogs are simply until I catch everyone up to speed with what's currently going on in my life.  Once that's done the entries should be focus-specific to the blog... Thanks for hanging in there with me, folks.

I don't feel like writing another entry.  My body hurts, and putting AIH into remission is going to be a bitch.  But I have to allow myself that time, you know, to heal, to mend, to just be okay about how this needs to evolve.  It isn't comfortable saying I'm going to take care of myself.  I've spent my life as a mom, so caretaker is really the only title I ever knew.  As a child, my emotionally absent mom who preferred psychological torture and punishment, made it so even then I knew deep down that all I had was me.  Somehow, I made it.  Somehow that child survived.  And somehow.. I will continue to do so.

I'm fighting like hell not to lay down, to give in to the discomfort and pain, fatigue and sluggishness that began returning with the first taper-down of prednisone.  I'm fighting that, because if I don't... it will win.  And I can't have that.  So what I'm doing now is continuing to reassess where I am and planning a strategy that I know will help me.  Some of this I can do on my own, and some of this I will need help to keep that forward momentum.  T would be instrumental in that IF he were plugged in, here in the present, and not mired in doing the bare minimum required in life overall just to get by.  How can someone that unmotivated be so successful financially?  Don't know.  What I do know is that I'm mostly on my own, and that means all focus for healing must be spent aimed in the right direction.

Remission is the goal.  Feeling GOOD, even GREAT is the goal.  Being happy, healthy, inspired and excited about my life... THAT is a goal.  MY goals.  No matter if I have the actual stamina at the moment to make it all happen at once, but I can't give up.  What energy I have will now be directed solely at taking care of me.  I have to.  My survival depends on it.

I know what I need.  I've always known what I need.  There have been a couple of people in my life who decided THEY were experts on what I need.  And they were and ARE completely WRONG.  I knew this then, and I know this now.  My approach now is to listen to myself, because no one is an expert on me.. except me.

T has no idea what I need.  He's not horrible, mean, nor hateful (well, except on a couple of occasions when he chose to be an asshole and regretted it).  He is, in some ways, worse than 'mean.'  To me, indifference towards another person, not SEEING them, HEARING them, and unplugging because you're lazy is far worse in many ways.  But I'm not going to focus overly on that, because my point here is that he is of no help.  I have ME.

I've had to say it out loud, my truth.  I've had to say the words that make it real so I can take every measure to improve my chances and LIVE.

I have an autoimmune disease.  The one I have attacks my liver, specifically, but wreaks havoc throughout my entire body, leaving much damage in its wake.  I have Autoimmune Hepatitis, and I will have this disease for the rest of my life.  I don't have all  of the answers.  I don't know my specific odds just yet.  It's too soon with treatment for me to know anything but what I feel and experience daily as I strive for remission.

How long will remission last? Unknown.

The odds are great that most with AIH will relapse within 12-24 months, and with a second (or multiple) relapses prognosis becomes more grim.  I know with a second relapse I will be placed on an immunosuppressant, and most likely for life.

The drug that helps me hurts me.  But it's a necessary evil, because the alternative is early mortality if this isn't treated quickly and appropriately.  This is an aggressive disease that requires aggressive treatment in most cases.

There is a chance, a good chance, that I will never ever feel 100% like myself again.  There will be good days and bad days, and I won't be able to predict which days will be which.

This disease can and often does cause secondary problems, such as pulmonary.  I have to accept the fact that this has already occurred.

I have portal hypertension, and though it's mild at this time, it points to the presence of liver damage. I will believe, until told otherwise, that this damage is mild.

I wasn't told I have fibrosis or cirrhosis.  I will accept that as confirmation that I don't have those problems.  Yes, I know that this 'don't ask' policy I've taken on is a little silly.  But I'm sure my doctor would've told me it were the case if I had either.

This inner dialogue is what I live with now.  My constant mantra as I taper down the prednisone has returned to: "I can do this!  I can do this!" as I go about my usual daily routines and chores.  I talk myself through everything.

I miss that first week on Prednisone, when I felt the pain subside, my energy return, and my thinking clear.  I don't know if that feeling of returning good health is something that will return.  I don't know much of anything at the moment.

I understand that what little information that is out there for this disease simply isn't enough to help me understand what's happening to me.  I'm confused and need answers.  But there simply isn't enough out there for me to glean any real understanding of this situation that has radically changed my life.

I'm told I have the "Type 2" variety, that mostly effects young women... but can happen to older women too.  Type 1 is rare enough, but Type 2 is even more rare, and often with a poorer prognosis as those patients, patients like me, often don't respond well to treatment protocols, have partial success, or quick and multiple relapses causing further liver damage.

I know diet doesn't help, it doesn't heal, it has no effect except in the case of salt intake and cirrhosis. I don't have cirrhosis, so I'm not sure how much salt will effect me if at all.  I can't turn to diet to fix this.  Nothing will fix this.  Treatment is management of the disease, as there is no cure.

I understand that NOT treating this disease brings early mortality, so I'm planning on sticking with the protocol, even if it does bring on board unpleasant side effects.  Weight gain, etc with Pred is a given.  Been there, done that, and one struggles terribly after coming off to take this corticosteroid weight gain off.  But.. I suppose choosing life and some weight gain at first is better than death.

So be it.

The dialogue in my life has changed.  My inner dialogue has changed with the circumstances, and I have to learn how to deal with T's insensitivity where I'm concerned.

...which is another entry for another time.

Because the Discussion Changes

It's not in one place.  If you're new here, this is what you need to know about my blogs.  The problem with putting all thoughts into one place is that looking for relevant information becomes a treasure hunt of sorts where you only find the dragon in the end, rather than the gold. Okay, so I'm not saying what I have to say from one day or one moment to the next is 'gold,' but my sense of humor is working overtime today... just bear with me on that, okay? ;)

This Free Spirit is one such place, the newest in the corridors here.  It's kind of my safe place, in a way, though visiting the ghosts of the past is often the case.  "Abuse Bonds Broken" is, for me, a way to help myself, and to help others, who've dealt with malignant narcissists.  It's really not always about the worst of the situation, nor is it always just about purging the demons.  My goal there is to help, but to also bring healing for myself in the process.  And process, I do.. more times than not, this is exactly what I'm doing there.

The stories and such aren't often pretty.  But life with a narcissist and emotional abuser rarely is, right?  In essence--you're not going to find unicorns there.

Where Fireflies Dream is a place where the sun is SUPPOSED to shine a little brighter, where life is a little lighter, fuller....  But let's face it; as life smacks me up-side the head on occasion, the lines between the great and not-so-great begin to blur.  In essence--you won't often find unicorns here either.  But I'm trying...

All Things Ephemeral .... because the discussion changes.  This was the original blog, the one where most of the laughter, contemplation, silliness, passion, and tears were cast upon the pages.  It was overwhelming at first, really, because there were NO lines drawn between anything; it began as a place to purge anything and everything.  This also used to result in many posts being deleted.  Yes, I still do that on occasion, delete posts, but very rarely now.

Boo's Juicy Bits  Well, now THIS one has gone absolutely rogue, I have to admit.  It began when I started juicing, then evolved as I embarked on a healthier diet, then went completely rogue because of the health issues that have come on board.  This blog... let's just say ANYTHING could end up here.

Why?  Because the discussion changes!  And because we live in a world that has become increasingly indifferent, where people can't 'concern' themselves with the emotions, experiences, etc. of another human being.  This is not accusatory, by the way.  It's simply a sad fact.

While not everyone is safely wading in that comfortable pool of ones own life, some are simply unable to step out... be vulnerable.  No matter.  These blogs... are just me stepping out of that comfortable place.

Spilling Over...

I guess I should remind some of you who may not know, that if something is bothering me particularly.. I will most likely post it in all of my blogs.  The spillover from one to the next is just something that's going to happen.  Most of the time I aim to separate what I'm talking about between each one so that the meaning isn't really lost in context.  Make sense?

My blogs overlap, though they're meant to be focused in one aspect of my life or another...

Boo's Juicy Bits:  The main aim here is health, diet, eating, all the things that support and give us a foundation for a good (or bad) life.  There's so much to this part of health, so there will be at times an overlap as to what's going on the pages.  If life is getting in the way, or helping me on my way, the details will most likely end up there as well.  And don't be surprised if you find sexually-focused chatter on there as well.   The information is all connected in one form or fashion anyway.

Where Fireflies Dream:  Created as a place for whimsical thought and ideas to play, an expression of who I am, how I dream, what I want, and the things that can or do hold me back from my greatest expression of self within my life as it is at any given point.  Again, be aware that at times topics of a sexual nature will most likely appear in posts.  Don't say I didn't warn you. ;)

This Free Spirit:  The newest blog and one I feel is necessary, even critical for me.  It's a place to talk about abuse.  Been there, done that, and still haven't gotten 100% past the damage, to say the least.  My goal with this is sharing in hopes it will help others, but also to have a place to talk/deal with the lasting effects of my experiences.  This one will often have chatter of a sexual nature as well.

All Things Ephemeral:  Originally, this one was created to let it all hang out, a no holds barred kind of place to talk about EVERYTHING in great, bloody detail.  The nature of doing this means that, in the past, I would often delete posts after a day or two, a week, a month, whatever... because it was a bit much to leave just sitting there for the whole world to see.  However, this is changing.

I will be taking that no holds barred approach with posting there soon, as it's one of the greatest barriers I need to cross in order to heal.  Like Pavlov's Dogs I learned through experience that expressing myself openly meant I would pay a price, a high one at that.  But since this is no longer the case I plan on resuming, for personal growth and healing, my once bold approach to using this blog exactly as I intended---a place for me to be free to express myself in any way I see fit!

Onward...!

Like I need another hole in the head

New blog.  Honestly, sometimes I wonder where I get all the time to post in all of these.  In some ways having the focuses of my entries in separate blogs helps me maintain cohesive thought.... well, at least I TRY.  Expressing everything in one common place just makes for a serious muddle in which it's difficult to sift through sometimes.  I mean, I revisit some of my entries to see where I am.  I mean, isn't that what a 'diary' is for?

Well, this new one is about the ongoing processes of working out past injuries, as well as current ones...

Either way, it was a moral imperative.  Finding my way in the dark is a necessity, and the link below will provide you with a window on which to see this happen.  It's not always going to pleasant...

This Free Spirit

OR

http://abusebondsbroken.blogspot.com

In the light of day

....everything seems better.  Be careful of that facade.

If I had the energy at night to write these entries, I guarantee you they would look much different.  The accumulation of the day's stresses become a bit more blurry in the light of morning; just a fact. At night I'm very clear on how I feel about things, what I really want to do about them, and I'm in-touch with the severity of the damage being done.  How am I supposed to find solutions when the problems scuttle away to hide near my subconscious when the sun rises?  I say "Near my subconscious" because I'm well aware that they're there, it's just that it becomes easier when facing a new day.  Kind of ridiculous on my part, you know, allowing that to happen.

It's indifference and lack of humanity rearing it's ugly head again.  This permeates everything I do, want to do, and try to do.  I've lost my resolve when it comes to relying on myself for strength, guidance, self-esteem, and so many more important and necessary matters.  How did this happen?  How did I become so complacent in my own undoing.... yet again?  And, is there a way out?

Yesterday I had the first part of a two part stress test.  If you don't know how those work, the first part is all about placing your body under monitored and rigorous stress; in this case, exercise.  I'm not talking about normal exercise, but the kind that has NO warmup and NO cool-down, and you jump right into raising your HR as quickly as possible.  The low end of the target HR for these tests is 145 BPM, and the goal is to go as long as possible with the incline (on the treadmill) raising, and the speed raising every 3 minutes.  It's pretty rough, which is the point.

I was only about 5 minutes into the test before the burning in my chest started, then the pain that went through to my back.  No, that wasn't a heart attack, though you certainly can feel those things if a heart attack was happening.  In this case... it was angina (chest pain), and the tests and imaging done afterwards are to determine IF something is wrong and WHAT that something is.  I had an EKG machine hooked up to me the entire time, so if something really bad were happening they would have  known.

I had to call off the test--which is how it works btw--due to the chest pain and being unable to breathe well (understatement).  The test stopped abruptly (as is the protocol with or without problems arising) and I was told to sit down.  The pain began to subside as soon as I sat down and was completely gone shortly thereafter.  By the time my HR returned to normal I was fine.  I have no idea what the significance is (if any) of that experience, but I'm sure they'll tell me eventually.

The second portion (resting) will happen on Monday November 2nd.

I might add that they place an IV port in your arm when you get a test like this; one reason is so they can inject the tracer (radioactive contrast solution), and the other is in case of emergency they can begin administering medications, etc. immediately.  I will get the same tracer on the resting portion of the test on Monday.

So where am I going with this and what does it have to do with 'indifference'?

Usually I read through a heart disease forum I belong to so I can see what experience others have had with any given situation.  In this case I read up on events during stress tests, ones that match my situation.  Wasn't good, what I found, but I'm not one to panic or get worked up over something that is probably NOT my issue.  I do, however, like to be informed--it's the smart thing to do.

I passed what information I found about the occurrence on to T.  No reaction, no concern, not a thing.  Now, one thing I didn't mention is that I was SUPPOSED to get the second half of the stress test TODAY.  Why am I doing it on Monday?  T has taken me to a few of my appointments due to my serious sleep deprivation lately... in order to avoid accidents due to my sleepiness, etc.  He has a TON of acquired leave accrued and will lose them if he doesn't use them, so he's schedule his leave on days when I have an appointment.  I'm grateful, no doubt about it.  But I'm concerned, still, of the indifference he has, that he swears doesn't exist.  And trust me--it exists.

I've had to deal with some serious health issues, and am STILL dealing with them.  There's some situations that are now 'watch and wait' situations, and that's just the way it is.  But when troublesome symptoms occur... I don't have anyone to tell or talk to about it.  It's not a good idea to ignore the symptoms, and well... I guess I'm just in that place where I'm unsure about how long I can continue doing this.

I would take a bullet for the people I love to save their lives.  Period.  But what I won't do is risk my life by remaining in a situation that, well, risks my life.  So what do I do about it in the meantime?

There's so much more I need to say about this, but in keeping things in context it will have to be in separate posts in order to keep things straight....

.....I'm going to post in my other blogs today, too... it's time, isn't it?

PART II: You can't treat me this way

I no longer care if I'm heard.  My resolve is strong enough that I can take things from here.  My guess is that many guys shrug things off and feel justified in their indifference, and I am more than okay with that right now.  I'm in a place that indifference, silence, and flipping the switch to autopilot just gives me more time to focus on what I need, healing, happiness and health.

Give me enough space and I will build a universe!  And yes, L, you may quote me on that. ;)

Even when I resort to the introvert side of me, or if I'm venting in order to sort through the muddle, I'm a LOT stronger than you think.  Don't underestimate me, because others have and discovered quickly that I don't require their help, blessings, or support in such matters.  If it comes down to the wire... I've got this!

Yes, it would be nice to have people close to me who are supportive.  But I've long since learned that it's not an actual requirement in order to succeed at my goals.  of course, there is a lot that's to be said about having a good support network when you're going through difficulties.  Still, if that network and support isn't there, I have to resort to my own devices.

This is where I am right now.

....Will continue this soon...

You can't treat me this way

It is said that even the strongest of feelings expire when ignored or taken for granted.  And this is not the first time I've felt those feelings die inside me....

It's becoming ever clearer to me that I have to take back my life.  I resolved a few years ago to not allow another guy treat me badly, and somewhere along the way... I've become my best advocate.  How did I manage to get that right?  ;)  It's all good, because I know what's needed and just have to get to the task of implementing the things I know that work.  The lessons learned by a therapist I spoke to a few years ago have become invaluable and necessary.

Don't let anyone tell you there's anything wrong with talking to a therapist.  A strong person will look for expert advice when they feel stuck, as I did.  While I spoke to her for only a short time, what she revealed to me would forever change my life.  I now have tools at my disposal for not only recognizing that which harms me, but also for ensuring I don't become easy prey again.

People cause harm in many ways, right?  But we don't often recognize what's happening until the damage is done.  The real trick is to stop things before the damage becomes permanent on ANY level.  I was only somewhat lucky in that, but the parts of me that were deeply harmed are now the strongest.  Go figure.  I guess the cliche we all overuse to some some degree actually has merit.

Intention.  So this is something we humans also focus on when assessing where we are in a complicated situation.  We ask ourselves 'What did they mean?' or 'Did they really mean that?' in scenarios where we're blindsided by the harmful actions or words by another.   No matter if I question the other person's motives, because I've learned to ask myself the more important questions: "Am I okay with this, and if not, how am I going to handle things?"

My striving for better health while doctors give me medications that literally counteract that goal means I have very little tolerance for bullshit these days.  In this present state of body and mind I have absolutely NO PROBLEM asserting myself.  And I will tell you that this is something quite new for me.  Somewhere along the line I grew one hell of a backbone.  I'm more than okay with this, btw.

Oddly, since being with T I've evolved to focusing less on "love" than on respect and humanity, compassion and kindness.  I never EVER ask "Does he love me?"  Because, honestly, that means nothing to me right now.  I don't equate love with gifts, material things, money, or even someone's physical presence.  No, because those things mean nothing if the motivation behind one's actions are self-serving or indifferent.  And yes, people CAN give you material things, money, even their time... and not have your best intentions as their motive.  I will never be swayed by 'stuff,' nor by someone who feels as if they're doing me a huge favor simply by 'gifting' me with their presence.

If someone is here and yet 'not here,' being alone is far more peaceful, healing, and promoting of good physical and mental health.  It's just plain unhealthy to be around someone who is barely, if at all, actually 'there.'  But what does this mean, exactly?

A person has the ability to be present while not saying or doing anything.  You can sit quietly next to someone and feel their presence.  It's unmistakable if you're paying attention.  Unfortunately, I've been 'empathic' my entire life, and even as a child I could strongly feel when someone didn't want me around, was angry with me, etc.  I assumed everyone was like this, and boy was I ever wrong.  Even so, coming to terms with that part of me as an adult was both easy and difficult, because I really didn't know WHAT I was to do with that information.

I can filter somewhat, but not very well what I feel from others.

When being misunderstood becomes a major stressor:

This is a big peeve of mine.  Communication breaks down if one party is always over-scrutinizing what the other is saying.  Wth can't people just, you know, LISTEN?  Why do some people allow the wheels of overthinking to kick in and destroy what would otherwise be a productive conversation?  I will never understand this as long as I live.  Honestly, just listen to what the other person is saying before you pass judgment on what you THINK they "mean" by their words!  I've dealt with this way too much over the past few years, and I'm more about a 50/50 conversation that both people are not only participating in, but equally open-minded in as well.

In my current situation, due to the 'tuning-out' factor, I'm often misunderstood.  I mean, if you're not really listening or engaged in the exchange then you're not going to actually HEAR what it is I'm saying.  And if you don't WANT to be in the conversation, man-up and say so.  There are always other people to talk to.  People who've known me for many years understand me, and they do so because they've been a respectful participant in enough conversations with me to know exactly who I am and what I need.  And in turn I also understand them and what they need out of the conversation.

This has turned into a bit of a purging session, really, and I've strayed a bit off-course.  All of the above is connected, but my goal here today is to talk about what I need and what I'm willing to put up with.  The Reader's Digest version of this would be---disrespect is a deal-breaker for me.  One for of disrespect is not listening during an important conversation.

..... Part II coming next.

Blast from the past

I guess it's kind of weird, really, that my dreams bring in people I knew some 20 years ago.  Weird, but not at all bad.  I think the last really awesome guy I ever dated was back when I worked at the Biloxi Belle in Biloxi, MS. It's a memory I don't actually visit, but one that visits me.  I don't feel melancholy or sad, but I do think it's strange.  I won't even begin to guess what it means, because I think that it has a lot less to do with HIM than it does with ME, who I am, who I was, and who I should be.  Back then I was able to be who I was without any seemingly limiting people around me.  Gosh, that was so very long ago, and during a time when my decisions were mostly the right ones.

In the wake of a 12 hour night

Insomnia is the usual case for me, especially over the past year.  Very difficult to fall asleep, and even more difficult waking up.  It's not that I don't wake up, it's more that I feel like I've been hit by a truck when I do.  This has been destroying my quality of life for some time now.  And last night was an unusual event as I slept for about 12 hours.  I do have to say, however, that it wasn't an unbroken sleep.  But even if within that broken 12 hours I managed to get 11 hours, I can feel a bit of change today.  Hasn't resolved everything, but I feel somewhat different.  This has to be brought under control.  And this... effects EVERYTHING about my life.  EVERYTHING.

Sometimes, after I have a fairly decent night's sleep I wake up feeling odd, too aware of everything.  I'm not sure this is a good thing, to tell you the truth.  In fact, it's quite unsettling.  In the fog of sleep deprivation and other limiting health issues it's almost a Godsend to have reality blurred somewhat.  I know it sounds crazy, but you don't know my life.. not really.  My 'life' hovers on the edges of that blurred reality for the most part, and when the lines begin to sharpen around what I've been ignoring and the stark reality of what actually IS...my anxiety builds.  Why?  Well, isn't it obvious?  Frankly put---I don't like my reality.

Changing my reality:

I've not given up.  I'm searching for answers.  If those answers are WITHIN me, then those things are buried DEEP, because I can't seem to access them at all.  So what's next?  Yeah, you hear that a lot here, don't you?  If I had the answers to that I'd already being doing it, trust me.

Still, I have to compartmentalize everything these days just so I can deal; I think we all pretty much do this.  I guess the trick is to not completely seal everything off.  *shrugs*

Healing.  Healing is absolutely NECESSARY to getting back to myself again.  I have to heal in mind, body, and spirit.  No matter what, I will have no quality of life if I don't heal.  So how do I do that?  How do I heal while in a place that isn't conducive to healing?  THAT is the million dollar question.

I'm stuck:

What do I do?  Where do I go?  How do I start?  When do I start?  How long will it take?  Which path is right?  Will I find my footing?

There isn't a single soul around that I can talk to about this.  The few people I have to talk to I can't open up to.  It's difficult to talk to someone who's not listening.

There's nothing that instills mistrust in another person than trying to talk to someone about something critical, important and having them shrug it off as if it's insignificant.  I'm not a fool, and I can tell when someone really could give a shit less.  All it takes is once, and I won't open up to that person again...

"Sorry to hear that.  Hope you feel better soon."  Wow.  Can't tell you how much this one puts me off.

Platitudes are not only insulting and hurtful to me, but they make you look shallow and self-absorbed.  Seriously.

It's been said that we live in a 'ME ME ME' era, and I have to agree.  Opening up to another human being, wether a friend or relative, is almost pointless these days.  At least it's been this way for me.  And...this is why I have blogs.  Opening up to people usually just brings on the deadpan platitudes that actually make me feel worse.

Does anyone in this country give a shit about anything at all?

Even T is deadpan, self-absorbed to the point of not seeing or hearing or feeling anything about anyone around him.  Most of all me.  But I'm adjusting to that, which means... my feelings toward him are changing radically, and now... irreversibly.  He was warned about this some time back, so he knew the risk of maintaining the status-quo.  Once I accepted that I have to focus on myself in order to heal, to get well, to reach for a better quality of life, to be happy, hopeful, and vibrant... things became both easier and more difficult at the same time.  I never expected this to be easy.

Back to sleep...

My dreams tell all.  I tend to dream a lot these days, and I dream of a reality that isn't, or at least used to be, MY reality.  I'm never tired, sick, painful, or alone in my dreams.  When I sleep.. I'm exactly where I want to be in my waking life.  I know what it is that I want, and my subconscious is showing me every single night how vastly WRONG my actual life is.  Many times I absolutely hate waking up.

It's going to be a long process, reaching my goals, and I will have to remind myself each and every day what those goals are.  I will also have to do everything in my power not to give up, because what happens in the reality of my life makes me want to give up.  This isn't a good thing.  At all.

So, what now?

I mean, they look like they've lost their will to live.  And the really brown ones, that's just overt depression.  The key to helping them is to give them a new reason to live; you know, like.. banana bread.

PART I: Deciphering Indifference: Don't waste my time

It's a chronic problem with T.  It's a chronic problem with a lot of people in this world and is more evident now than ever.  People have allowed a destructive numbness to creep into the very fabric of who and what they are.  The consequences of embracing indifference is that it becomes a part of you, defining you, and ultimately destroying everything with its insidious whisperings inside your mind and heart.  It's a comfortably destructive habit that will take everything about you and make it its own.  It walks softly into one's life as a comforting buffer against anything and everything that makes you... FEEL.  And in the throes of its seductive and blinding embrace... you can be ultimately lost forever.

Indifference is like the sting of a mosquito; with just the smallest amount of anesthetic you won't feel the effects until it's too late.

When blind indifference takes hold of a person it's usually a selective process that often singles out just one, at first unwitting, individual.  Damage is done to both sides, but the effects of the one staring into the face of indifference are far greater in intensity and much longer-lasting.  Honestly, as much as we humans try to distance ourselves from the hurtful effects we too often fail at removing ourselves effectively.  That doesn't mean we don't on some level understand what's happening, and usually several attempts are made to make the other aware of what they're doing.  But true to indifference's nature our words, actions, they all fall on completely deaf ears.

I've been through two relationships of indifference, and both times I ended up not caring a flip about that person in the end.

Over the last few years I've come to see indifference from new angles, and I no longer believe that I'm the one who has the responsibility to fix what's happening.  On the contrary.  I wasn't put on planet earth to fix anyone, except myself.  If indifference is really all that person has to offer, they have absolutely nothing to offer.  At least not to me.

While I've focused yet again on 'the thing' that I want to talk about, I haven't actually shared where I am in this whole thing.

Where I am in all of this and why talking about it matters...

In context, indifference matters a great deal when it comes to me and my life, my emotional and physical health.  It directly affects how I go about the course of my life, the details of who I am and what I want and need are blurred beneath the sharp blades that attempt to obliterate all in its path.

Case in point: Following the first IV iron infusion for anemia there were symptoms that I couldn't pin-point, ones that usually put someone on alert.  With my heart and lung issues, having severe breathlessness and chest pressure is one of those things you simply shouldn't ignore, no matter who you are.  A smart person would at least mention it to whoever they're living with, or call someone to let them know what's going on... to be on the safe side.  Though, I have to add that it's a good idea to call someone who actually cares, because the alternative could be deadly.

Roughly about a day and a half after my IV infusion I had an 'event' that evening that startled me.  I had just gotten into bed and found the usual breathlessness that I experience every night (heart issues), but instead of easing a little.. it actually intensified... a LOT.  I found myself feeling as if an elephant was sitting on my chest, and I was gasping for air.  Literally gasping for air.  This went on for about 10 minutes or so until I became so fatigued by it all that I actually fell asleep.  But before I fell asleep I alerted T to what was going on.  He was actually standing near my side of the bed and wide awake, and when I told him what I was feeling, while gasping for air between words, he..said.. absolutely nothing.  Nothing at all.  He went around the other side of the bed and laid down in silence while I continued to gasp for air.

I propped myself up on my side on one elbow, still unable to breathe correctly, still gasping for air and trying to slow down my breathing.. thinking it may help.  I'm not prone to panic attacks and felt no panic at all while this was going on, hence my not insisting I go to the ER.  Was it concerning?  Of course it was!  But I believed it would pass.  And it did.. after I fell asleep.  I was exhausted by the experience.  Utterly exhausted.

The next day T went to work as usual and didn't mentioned what happened the night before.  What this left me with, like several other 'acts of indifference,' was a deep-seated mistrust, and it went so deep to the bone that I cannot shake it no matter what.  But in reality, I don't WANT to shake this mistrust because it's necessary.  This isn't the first time or first issue that's come along to instill a strong self-protectiveness.

T, I have found, doesn't really care much for anything any further than about 6 inches outside his own skin.  He's aware of it, I've tried to talk to him about it, strongly suggested he "Pick something and practice giving a shit," and all for nothing but wasted breath and wasted time.  I don't have any inclination to continue wasting energy and time on someone who's not willing to give a damn.

Whenever something of vital importance arises, T is "absent."  He's not plugged in.  He's not at all invested.  And this is why I grow increasingly weary of involving him in anything important that's going on with me, my health, and so on.  He's basically now on the outside, and he's even indifferent to that.. until he feels it's going to affect him personally in some way.  *sigh*

There will be a PART II to this, because it's a huge huge issue for me, and one that is helping to destroy my health.  It's about time I talk about it ALL, and it's just too much for a single entry.

I'm exhausted.  Deciphering indifference is a huge energy-suck, and I just don't have any energy to spare.  If you don't FEEL anything---don't waste my time!

Post-Haste Nutrition

Well.  Sort of.  My first scheduled IV iron infusion is this week (Wednesday), and I'm curious to see how my body will respond to this much-needed treatment.  While so much is going on, a bigger part of me is intensely hopeful that this, and addressing other issues, will be one of the biggest turning points with my health and happiness (or lack thereof).  And trust me, if you don't have good health, having any happiness is something you have to actively seek.  I believe happiness should just 'be.'  Sounds overly simplistic and unrealistic at first, but all of us know in our heart of hearts that this is exactly the way happiness works.

Dare to dream, dare to move, dare to question absolutely everything that's going wrong; this is what I'm doing now.  Even I know that I can't rely on infusions to create happiness.  But it's a great place to start.

Clearly my approach with my health has been with the very best of intentions, and the progress of uncovering what needs correcting has been revealed to a point that I have some direction to follow, finally.  There on the horizon I can finally see the sun.  My next step... is to feel the warmth.  THAT'S when I know I'm getting there!

Another recent event was the sleep study, which revealed central sleep apnea.  Some speculation has been made that my low vitamin D (which is actually a hormone, btw) is causing a chain-reaction of health issues.  Funny thing, though, is that a simple correction of Vitamin D levels won't do the trick. So I'm also having to embark of the sleep apnea thing, and it seems as if it's all very related.  No matter, I'll just be a nice, compliant patient and follow all rules of treatment with regards to the sleep apnea, iron deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency.  As for the lung issues, heart issues, etc... well those will have to wait until my next appt with my pulmonologist and cardiologist.

My goal is to resolve the issues, get my energy back, and work like hell to get back on top of things again.

As for the f'd up relationship issues, those will be addressed by T, or I will continue to allow what comes naturally; self-preservation.

Stay tuned, because once the post-haste nutrition (IV iron infusion) is administered, and all other treatments are underway, I fully expect to find my courage to FINALLY speak bluntly here again.

It will happen.

Have you seen my alter egos?

.... I think they're playing a disturbing game of hide and seek.  Just kidding!  For the sake of clarity, for anyone new to reading the entries of this blog, my 'alter egos' is a reference to my other blogs, ones which I try to update as often as possible.  At times, I copy and paste the same entry as the first blog I began with, but I try very hard to post what's relevant to that blog.  Trust me, my blogs aren't supposed to be created equal. ;)

You can find the Alter Ego links in the menu bar on the side of the page, if you're curious and new to my blogs.  And why do I have other blogs?  Basically, they were all set apart for specific purposes; dreams and wishes, passions/life/desire/health, and the transient things that, by their very nature aren't always meant to sustain themselves in my life, or... at times... on 'the page.'  Naturally, all of the parts make up the whole, so overlapping is common and necessary sometimes.

I have to admit I've held back a lot over the past few months, whereas in the past I've pretty much unloaded here.  I won't go into why I began withholding what I really wanted to write, but the experiences took hold and held on for dear life.  It wasn't my intention for things to go that way.  But they did anyway.

My goal going forward is to find myself in a place of trust.  This will be a process, because my past being what it is, well, it's just going to take some time is all.  I'll get there.

Boo's Juicy Bits, and the Return to Focus

This blog began as a ways and means to talk, often with humor, about health, wholeness, eating, thriving, living, body/mind/soul, and sometimes to share the naughty side of me.  It's gotten WAY off-track over the past few months due to declining health.  Well, those health issues are being addressed, and treatment begins today/tonight.. and next week.  At least with regards to the issues of sleep apnea and iron deficiency anemia.

Getting back on track with posting and sharing here is going to be a major switch in some ways, as I've had to focus far too much on doctor appointments, treatments, and so forth.  But I think it's time, you know, to get back to the part of 'living.'  Doesn't mean I won't have moments where I vent about my relationship issues, dreams, passions, and the like.  It just means that I think since I'm on my way to resolutions for my health issues... it's time to focus on what's ahead.

It just makes good sense.

So what's next with diet, exercise, vibrant physical, mental/emotional health?  Well, that's just the thing.  Tonight will be the first night I use a CPAP machine, and I already know the one night I used it at the sleep center.. I felt quite different the following day, and I returned to my usual fatigued, miserable self the night after WITHOUT the CPAP.  I see much hope in that.  And with next week being the first treatment for the iron deficiency.. I'm actually getting excited about seeing things improve over the days and weeks ahead.  This is going to be a journey of my life, really.

As my focus shifts to hopeful events, positive outcomes, and anticipation for those things not yet addressed (lung and heart issues), I will also have a lot more focus here.

It's about time, isn't it?  ;)

The sound of my voice--just one presence in the world

To be heard---is not a difficult or complicated request.  And the weirdest part about not being heard is then when you take a moment out of your life to listen to your own voice, you find a unique opportunity to connect with your very presence in the world.  Now, before you confuse this with being self-absorbed or a narcissistic "Need to hear your own voice," allow me to put it into perspective and context.

Perspective, Context, life!

Take a moment and read a poem out loud to yourself.  Only to yourself.  Listen carefully to your voice and imagine your voice not ever being heard again.. not by you, not by anyone.

Listen not to the words, but to your voice.  Do you hear both the subtle and distinct sounds and nuances that make your voice completely unique?  When was the last time you even thought about your voice?...?

Is your tone soft, clear, muted, or resonant?  Do you hear emotion as you speak, and if so... what is it in your voice that tells the world where you are, how you feel?

Your very breath is in your voice...

What do you sound like?

So many people take this for granted.  That deep disconnection from self is more evident when you sit alone in a quiet place and listen to the sound of your own voice.  Poetry...or words from your favorite novel... what does it sound like when you recite them?

After you've read that poem, or those chosen words from a book (make it meaningful).  Now, stop talking and listen to the silence that follows...

....Stop talking and listen now to the silence that follows.  That is the absence of the sound of your voice...

Think about it.

To tell all, or not to tell all---that is the question

Or is it?

I've been trying to bring myself to a place where I can unload, completely unload here on my blogs.  Not just this one, but all of them.  I get so close sometimes, and yet I seem to pull back once my fingers hit the keyboard.  What the hell am I so afraid of?

I created my blogs to have a place to talk about things, to sometimes vent, to sometimes ponder, to just.. talk.  And yet I find myself skirting around the facts and splashing vague hints on the page instead of just telling it like it is.  What will be the catalyst... the one thing that will have to happen in order for me to 'get there'?

My blogs were created for the very purpose of writing my thoughts and experiences, hopes, dreams, wishes, dislikes, or what-the-hell-ever.  So why aren't I doing that?  Why do I hold back?  This is the dilemma, isn't it?  Not being able to speak my mind?  And WTH is that really about anyway?

I often wake up on the morning with SO freaking much to say!  I go to bed at night with the intense need to get stuff out of my head and out in the open so I can see and deal with it.  But do I DO that?...put it all out there?  Hell no, I don't.  And there's just so much to say, to tell, to unload.

This particular blog was created specifically to write about health issues, diet, and... to allow my flirty side come out and play.  Oh, it may seem odd at first, the idea of those topics coming together in one place.  But if you think about it, it actually makes perfect sense.  So... why have I failed so miserably here?  Well, I wouldn't call it a 'failure,' exactly.  But I haven't succeeded in really letting go and telling whatever, which was my intention.

And trust me, there are lots of juicy bits to tell.

Perhaps I need to make it a goal, a REAL goal.  You know, finding a way to open up completely and talk about whatever the hell I want.. without remorse or looking back.  Apparently I'm a total wuss these days, and I really need to fix that, like, asap!

Okay, self... we're going to work on that.

But I do wonder...  Is anyone REALLY ready for me to do that?