A Writer's Life Interrupted #crohns #ibd

I decided to expend my energy the last few days chalk painting a desk and hanging new curtains. Little did I realize the adventure would leave me barely able to move. Step class should start slow. Hopping from chair to floor and back again requires more muscle than I currently have in good working order.

My second to the oldest grandson, Jack, is in a wrestling tournament in Reno on Saturday (I can't wait) and we are heading into the desert on Monday for some awesome rock collecting.

For many years I wouldn't take a vacation that was in the middle of nowhere due to Crohn's, but with the advent of smart phones and other necessaties I am going to give it a whirl. I figured I'd spend Sunday packing for life's little annoyances so we can be off early on Monday.

My husband and I love taking driving vacations. My kids, see above two on the bottom and the one on the left, would run screaming from the room if those two words were uttered in succession.

This is how our littlest gkid reacts if I mention going on an adventure. Now our two oldest Jack and Jake were always ready to go. Sigh. Now they are all grown up.

This is fossalized brain coral from several years ago. I cannot wait to get my hands into dirt again. I had convinced myself that my rock hunting days were over. After all, how does one with a disease like Crohn's manage a dig? You always gave to be mear a bathroom, right?

​As we all know my right hand is a mess. How to fix it? Slather on the medication, add bandaids and top it all off with a heavy duty yellow glove. I experimented using a rubber band to loosly wrap around the cuff to keep out the dirt. If the weather is cool I will add a long sleeved shirt as well.

I will probably do most digging with my left hand as any irritation of my right causes the condition to flare and trust me, it hurts. I will be bringing lots of toilet paper and a trowel. Nothing else needs to be said and pain pills just in case.

We will stay in a motel and use it as home base. Trying to keep everything clean would otherwise be too difficult. However, that has opened the door to a motorhome discussion. One we will review at a later time.

We are also taking our dogs which will be interesting. I cannot leave them in a kennel. Aggie has severe asthma and Bella has already lost one eye to glaucoma. Both dogs need medication around the clock and I don't trust a kennel to do that. The most important thing I will leave at home is self-consciousness. I have to do it if I want to have a good time. So I embarrass myself once or twice. I HAVE to live.

​For now, I am back to work on Professor Peanut and his Pals.

Wishing you all the best.

Louann