Tongue in Cheek People!

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Hello my bloggy peeps!  It seems as though it has been months - well it actually has!  December was a complete runaway and January a complete write-off to date!  Ya!  I'm pouting a little bit - I won't lie.

Things were rolling along until about mid-December when the schedule, concerts, hockey games, recitals, crafting, quilting, baking, buying, wrapping, Christmas dinners and bookkeeping exploded in my face.

Christmas was spent in Washington whereupon my sweet mother, Chickadee and Stinky pulled up ILL!  Shortly after getting home DH assumed the sick position for about a week.  And me being a sheep - followed!  Things seemed to be getting better right after New Years and we seemed to be slowly gaining ground when just this past Monday I was hit with VERTIGO!

I am one of the unfortunates who has been diagnosed with Menieres Disease.  Vertigo is a symptom of the disease which comes when it wants and leaves when it wants.  I do truly HATE it and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.  DH is my hero:  coming home from work to take me to the bathroom etc.  (Thankful for texting!) It is a very debilitating disease of which there is no cure as there is NO indication as to what causes it.  If none of you have experienced vertigo - imagine yourself being tied to a merry-go-round that spins at 100mph (and that's being kind!) of which you cannot get off or stop.  So ya - getting outta bed?  Outta the question!  Walking?  Outta the question!  Having a shower?  Outta the question!  Normal day-to-day functioning?  Outta the question!

How do I cope?  DH and I have tried a gagillion different things over the 15 years that I have had it:

• whiplash collar helps to hold head up when sleeping
• hot drinks to help move fluid/ease pressure in ears (broth, tea etc)
• nose sprays to help move fluid/ease pressure in ears
• sleep sitting up with tons of pillows
• puke bucket must be at left arm at all times
• sleeping pills help to get good chunks of sleep
• hot bags to soothe pain in ears and/or pressure
• wear a warm wooly headband to keep ears warm
• don't watch "fast-moving" tv  (so watching sports is outta the question!)
• I can only read little bits at a time before it sends me into a "spin" so "audio" anything is a life-saver! (and yes it has taken me almost 24 hours to type out this post!)
• knitting and crocheting is allowed when vertigo is at a minimum!
• wear only front-zipping clothing to avoid pulling anything over the head 
• "no one jiggle the bed!"
• massages can make the vertigo worse!
• keeping your sense of humor helps
• calling my momma who has suffered with the same disease, mandatory!
• crying once in awhile is acceptable
• prayer is essential to keeping sanity
• sponge baths are optional

And no, gravol doesn't work along with any other meds deemed to help motion sickness and no the Epley's Maneuver doesn't work nor does the Brandt-Daroff Exercise all of which are helpful for those who have been diagnosed with BPPV.    I've tried eating a sodium, caffiene and sugar-free diet in the past as well - made no difference.  I've tried every herbal conconction - you name it - I've tried it!  The shortest "bout" of vertigo I've had lasted a day; the longest:  6 very long weeks!

Well, now you can consider yourself informed on all things "Menieres"  and I'm feeling better now that I've "purged" my pent up need to blog and complain all at the same time.

I DO have plans to show you all the gifts that I made over the past Christmas season, and my quilting plans for 2013.  But until this vertigo passes, I will remain patient (sometimes only in theory!)... I know it WILL happen!  Of that I have no doubt - it's just a matter of when.  If it doesn't and I die (tongue in cheek people!):

I bequeath my fabric stash to my beloved mother and 3 sisters. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE TO THIS DAY, MY Last Will and Testament, written upon this blog post subscribed my name, this January 20, 2013.  SIGNED, PUBLISHED and DECLARED, By the said Testator:

Booilley

I know that you were thinking you were coming to read all about quilting and fabric, so in an effort not to disappoint here is my QUILTS board on Pinterest.  Feel free to browse and enjoy!