Vancouver Pride Parade

Today was the Gay Pride Parade in Vancouver. Jon, Claire and I all staked out a spot at Milestone's and settled in to watch the show. It was a lot of fun with tonnes of great outfits (or lack there of... ha ha ha).

Here are some pictures! (please be aware there is some nudity)

Fireworks Nights

Last night was the first night of the HSBC Celebration of Light (it goes for 4 nights). The music they used was fantastic but I wasn't as wowed by the display.

Here are some of the pictures I took. The first photo is of my apartment filled with smoke. No, there wasn't a fire - just Jon cooking up some steaks! =)

I'm a Crazy Belly-Dancing Lady

Well... today I took the plunge.

I opened pandora's box and signed myself up for my very first belly-dancing show! OMG - am I insane??!?!?!? (don't answer that). It's going to be on August 24th - CRAZINESS!! That only leaves a few weeks. So, I guess I'll be spending a bunch of time practicing my shimmies.

It's all very exciting. I must say that I'm starting to feel like me again. And its sooooo nice!! For a couple of weeks my health was consuming all of my energy, but now I have a little bit extra to give to other things! Yipeee!!! I'm hoping that it just keeps getting better and better.

The funny thing is that I've hit a point where I've had 2 months off from school and now I am ready to just get back to it. Yet there's still another month. I think part of it has to do with the fact that work has been fairly quiet (and boring). I've been fairly antsy about it all over the last couple of days. The faster we get to it, the faster we are done and can get out into the real work world. I've been thinking about next year a lot too. Curious about where I am going to end up (location and company). Not to mention the type of job I am going to end up in!! I really need to start thinking about what I am going to want to do workwise because I want to start shopping around in december.

Well, off to dream about it all!

Temporary Amnesia is Cool

So I went in for my scope today.

Yes. I was very nervous. But here's the cool thing. They give you this drug that is related to rhohipnal (the date rape drug). You are conscious and relaxed, AND it renders you with temporary amnesia.... meaning, you don't remember the 'big event.' Well, not totally at least, just hazy bits and pieces.

I can now understand why the date rape drug is so scary in the wrong hands!!!!!!

Anyhow, overall it went well. The UC has gone further up (not so great) but there were no abnormalies. I've got new medication to take... so hopefully that will get me on the mend quickly!!

Hope in the Medical World

Well, I actually had a pleasant experience with my new GP yesterday.

Get this. He has computers in each exam room that he takes all his patient notes on, shows you detailed info on the things you are talking about, and does prescriptions, etc. For a techie-geek like me... IT'S GREAT!!!!

He's still a typical 'western' doctor in terms on not thinking wholistically about how different items might be related at a deeper systemic level. But I'm still impressed and looking forward to having him as my doctor. (looking forward to a doctor!! yikes - maybe i am losing my mind... ha ha ha).

Tomorrow I go in for my scope. Fun Times! But at least things are starting to get dealt with. My goal is to be back on track by the time school starts again in september. =D

BELLYDANCING

I don't know how I let it slip my mind... but ...

I LOVE BELLYDANCING

A shimmy here... a hip thrust there.... what a great workout!!! And tonnes of fun too! Our class this summer is going to focus on more folk-style than club... which is great because the movements are more organic and don't need to be as precise.

Fun times are ahead!
My instructor's website is www.venusbellydance.com . I've taken classes from her over the last 4.5 years and have really enjoyed it.

Time to wind down.

GI Appointment

Well, I had my appointment with the GI specialist this morning.

Nice guy.

He asked me the regular questions, then, much to my surprise asked me what my schedule was like. Huh??? After responding that it was fairly open, and that I had understanding bosses... he said he'd like me to come in on thursday for a scope.

Thursday?!!?!? This thursday?

Wow - I've never seen a doctor work so fast and efficiently before. Usually it takes a least a month!!

And what's this? He's still talking? .... Then he goes on to explain that they are going to give me drugs to make it less stressful (previous scopes have been a horrible experience, but I never mentioned that) and then he reassured me (a specialist that reassures?) that it will only be himself and a nurse in the room, no students. WOW.

Ok... a scope isn't exciting - but the attitude surrounding it is!

Well... I'm off to belly-dancing class. Just hope my tummy behaves itself for the rest of the evening!

Garage Sales

Yesterday was my mom's birthday.

Did we spend it going for a nice brunch? - No. A nice walk on the beach? - No.... Nope... instead we helped out one of her friend's hold a garage sale. It was pouring first thing in the morning, so it didn't look too promising. However the sun came out around noon, and dried up everything. I can't really complain about it because I made over $100 and got rid of some of the clutter from my apartment.

Today looks like its going to be sunny and gorgeous, so I am hoping to get down to Kits pool for a swim, and then a little lounging in the sunshine. It's also the first meeting of my friend's book club. Even though I don't think I am going to join, I might just go over and hang out anyhow. We'll see where the day takes me. And, like all weekends, my apartment is crying out to be cleaned.... silly apartment.

For the body side of things:
Tomorrow morning I am going in to see the head of medicine (or something like that) at the UBC Hospital. As much as I don't like doctor's, I'm really looking forward to this appointment because I am hoping that he will be able to help me out. He's gotta be able to give me some new insight, right?

Yesterday was the best tummy day I've had in a long time. It was very exciting. I got to spend the whole day at the garage sale without dash in and out of the house. But in the evening I developed my headache-sick to the stomach thing. So strange. But I got a normal day out of it!!! =)

Busy Week

It's only wednesday, but so far its been a really busy week (in a good way)!

Last night was our monthly meeting at ISPI. We were having a cracker barrel session where each table has a different topic and presenter, and I facilitated at a table! It was my first foray into facilitation, and all things considered... it went pretty well.

Today was hectic at work (all the 'bigwigs' are in town). Just as i was heading out the door our VP of Human Resources asked me to make some last minute changes to a presentation I have been working on that he's presenting early in the morning. That pushed me late for volleyball (damn!)...

It was BEAUTIFUL down at the beach! They've changed the rules around so its a bit more finiky (sp?). I still just love getting out there and moving around. Its just good ol' sandy fun! Unfortunately we didn't do so well... but I'm sure we'll pick up the pace once the weeks wear on.

How's my tummy been?? A bit better than last week (thank g-d!!) but still really crappy - no pun attended! Luckily I've found a good doctor - who even calls you personally!!! So, I'm hoping my first appointment with him next week will start me on the path to recovery. Right now I am just focusing on following my diet restrictions really carefully. I just need to keep in the for front of my mind that my diet has such a direct effect.

The best part of following this restricted diet (aside from feeling a bit better and in better spirits) is that I am losing weight without even trying!!! So far I've dropped about 10 lbs. *happy dance*

Anyhow, that's my week so far. Gotta get my butt to bed so that I can be at work early to make sure everything is ready for the presentation.

Carb Specific Diet

So, I've officially been following the Specific Carb Diet for a week now.

It's actually been easier than I imagined to adhere to but so far I am not seeing any marked results in terms on improved BMs. Although from reading posts online, I think I skipped the introductory stage of the diet, and that's why I am finding it so much easier!! (oops!) I guess I am going to have to suck it up and go on the stricter version of the diet for the next week.

For the last week I have been very contently eating:
- Almond flour break - toasted
- steak
- stirfries
- frozen blueberry & pinapples blended with almond milk (makes ice cream!)
- raw almonds
- baked apples (didn't react all too well to these)
- and of course, sashimi

So... now I will be focusing on making myself some chicken soup and homemade yogurt (per the SCD diet), continue with the steaks, and try to manage to eat some dry curd cottage cheese (that's going to the be tough part).

I'm really hoping that I will be able to get my BMs back under control enough to be able to get some sort of excercise regime going again. My goal is to get to that place in 2-3 weeks. Its all about the small steps.

I went through a crazy 'clean out my kitchen cubords' phase today, and have rid my apartment of any non-SCD friendly foods. To say the least, my cubboards are very bare! But, at least it will stop me from cheating.

I am starting to wonder is whether I am stubborn. Ok - to those who know me I am sure you are just shaking your head and saying... "YES" ... but I mean stubborn in terms of letting other people take care of me. From everything I've read online, many people go to the hospital when their symptoms are like mine. That leaves me to the think that maybe I should be doing this too so that I can get some real help... but then I realize that I am still functioning alright so I shouldn't tax the system. Is this a bad way to look at it all?

Welcome

Well... welcome to the new home of my Blog. I am hoping to make this an honest space where I can vent a little, educate a little, and hopefully also be educated in return.

A little over 10 years ago I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I have suffered flare-ups off an on since then, even ending up leaving a job because of it and being off work for a year. I'm mentally on the rebound now - and have found a path that I am passionate about following. But.. my BM problems have continued to haunt me. Doctor's don't seem to pay too much attention to UC - especially because I am not stick thin and haven't been hospitalized. The impact UC has on one's life and mental state is unfathomable. I have days (more common than not lately) where I can't even remember what it was like not being preoccupied with how my stomach is feeling after a meal and if I will be able to go out and do something or if I need to stay by my bathroom.

Because UC deals with poop it is a taboo subject to talk about, and most of us living with it spend the majority of our time embarrased. Well... here goes nothing!

At 30.5 years old - today was the first day that I finally broke down and opened the bag of Depends that my mother had bought for me during my last flare up. For the last two weeks I haven't been able to get more than half way to the bus stop on my morning commute without the familiar pangs of stomach troubles rising and an unsuccessful dash to the washroom in the closest Starbucks. I've gotten quite adept at cleaning myself up, and not bawling my eyes out once I make it on the bus! So, this morning I faced facts... and a bright pink plastic bag of adult diapers. Ah... so sexy... just like Calvin Klien would wear! Whatever would the folks on "What Not to Wear" do with me?

So there we go. I was hoping to make it to at least 45 yrs old before taking the diving into the world of adult dipes... but I fell short by 15 years. But you know what? It wasn't the end of the world. I took the bus... I got to work... and no one pointed and laughed. I made it through the day just fine.

So, when I first decided to write in this blog I made a commitment to keeping it lights and "up" - and I think so far I've done a pretty good job.

But that's also what's kept me from writing more regularly in here, because the last little while has been filled with frustration.

Don't get me wrong. I'm having a great time at work, and a relaxing summer, but just know that I could be making SO MUCH MORE of my summer if only I was feeling so 'ill' all the time. I really wanted to focus on getting my UC under control this summer so that I was back in fighting shape for school come september. But instead I seem to be getting worse. It is what it is... but I just am tired of always turning down fun things because of being under-the-weather. And I understand that it seems like a convenient excuse... but believe me I would much rather be out on the town, or hiking, or just doing anything at all fun! As wierd as it may sound... I've decided to start up a second, more raw blog, that deals with that side of my life (that would be this one!). If you are interested in taking a look let me know and I'll send you the address.

Anyhow - back on to the light and upbeat stuff!!
The TallShips are in town for the Sea Vancouver Festival and one of their docking locations is right in front of my apartment!! It's very neat to look out my windows to the masts of ol' ships. I'm hoping to take some photos this weekend of all of the festivities... so check back!

Keeping Chilled

Keeping Chilled
It's just been one of those kinds of weeks where the days seems to slip by without effort.

The weather is still being very un-summer like, and I am growing more and more convinced that summer has come and gone and we are now into the early stages of fall (although I really hope thats not the case!!)
Luckily the sun peaked out of the clouds just in time for our spring volleyball finals on wednesday night. Somehow our team has managed to make it into the mid-zone of the top league (I assure you this is some sort of fluke!!) and so our finals saw us up against teams that were quite challenging to play. We lost 4 games (and its WAY too embarrasing to disclose some of the scores!!) and actually won one!!! ALRIGHT! Now we have a week off before the summer season begins. I can't wait!

Not sure why, but I've been missing my pals a lot this past week. Sometimes its hard having your closest friends spread out across the globe (and then its great when you want to travel!!). I've also been thinking a lot about where life is going to take me next year when I am finished my program. I had been convinced that staying in Vancouver is what would work best for me... but what if I get offered a job elsewhere? Traveling / moving might be interesting too!! That might just go in with my desire to move out of my apartment building though.

Well, I am going to go back to watch the LIVE 8 concert highlights. If you haven't signed the petition yet, I STRONGLY urge you to take a look www.live8live.com or www.makepovertyhistory.ca
cheers
SM