A Letter To You! :)

Dear Family and Friends,

Hard times will make us stronger, is what I've heard. Apparently, I'm going through a point in life where I need to be stronger. The past couple weeks have been super tough and have definitely taken a toll on me and my life.

Without too many details, I was sick and lost my voice. Today is Day 16 of the voice being gone. It's frustrating, to be completely honest. I want to play. I want to have fun. I want to call people up and make plans. I want to talk to my family and friends. I want to be able to fully do my job (phone calls and all). I want to know why.

I miss you all. I don't mind doing things with people, as long as they don't mind me whispering. My voice will come back. It has too. I'm seriously not a needy person. I'm probably too independent. It is difficult for me to ask for help or to know what I need/want. My pride makes me think I can do it on my own.  Plus, it is second nature to me to take care of myself, so I have kept much to myself. I don't want to burden others with my trials. In fact, the picture below is how I feel right now.

I used this picture on my GP blog, but thought it was so fitting for this post. I'll try not to duplicate the two blogs too much.

However, it is not about what I want, it is what Heavenly Father needs me to have and go through, even if I don't understand the reasons. I did get a blessing and was told some amazing things. There is hope. With each day, my hope fades a little, but I have to stay strong.

This has changed things in my life a little bit. I had some big plans for this year and they most likely will not happen this year now. There is always next year. There is a chapter or two of my life that will need to end, though it will be hard. Faith requires action, and those actions produce results. 

My voice will come back, and that's an encouraging thought. Life will be good. Sometimes, I wish that I could see the end from the beginning. However, this too will pass and all this will be for my good. There are so many good things to enjoy and love about life. In reality, I need to be more grateful.

There have been good times through this all. I've learned that I can still win quiz games. My coworkers and young women have all experienced "The Squeak". In fact, my new nickname at work is Squeakers. That's what happens when you laugh and have no voice. I have found reasons to laugh. I've still been able to work, both at my job and at the temple. More good will come too. I'm sure of that.

Thanks for being so wonderful. I promise not to be so neglectful.

Your Friend,

Whitney

New Blog

Since my diagnosis of Gastropresis, I felt that part of the reason that I have this condition is to help people going through similar situation or through hard times and trials. After much thinking, I have taken a step that will allow me to reach to to more people and help others. I have started a blog which will go through my journey: the diagnosis, the management, and living with it daily. I will also use it to try to help motivate, give hope and show how great life is, even through tough time.

Here is the link to that blog: http://whitneyslifewithgastroparesis.blogspot.com/

If you know anyone who struggles with this condition, digestive issues, health struggles or anything, please let them know. My hope is that this will bring hope and strength to those going through difficult times. If we all work together, our hard times will be a lot easier to get through.

More Lessons Learned

Are you excited? Well, if not, get excited. Why, you ask. It is because it is time for another installment of Lessons Learned, brought to you by .....Me!!! These are in no particular order.

~ Little kids are the best and say the sweetest things.
~ A good hike helps relieve stress and is actually super relaxing
~ I could seriously handle working 4-10 hour days, if it would give me an extra day to relax.
~ Allergies and colds have similar symptoms. However, colds get worse.
~ Losing your voice multiple times in one year may be a sign to learn sign language.
~ It is kind of hard to throw a party when you don't go to the party.
~ A good visiting teacher is great to have.
~ Baking is also good therapy.
~ Keeping secrets us easy to do when you don't have a voice.
~ Watching old TV shows from childhood, brings back lots of crazy memories.
~ Life never seems to go as planned.
~ If you must fall on a hike (if you are clumsy or such), the best place to fall is near the end.
~ Sitting alone in the Celestial Room for 45 minutes is such an amazing experience.
~ Older couples are so cute.
~ Two baby blessings = not sitting where you usually sit at church.
~ Home teachers are nice to have, but when they stay 1 1/2 hours, it throws off your schedule for the rest of the night.
~ Weeds make good fall-catchers.
~ The Brother of Jared is one amazing person and examples.
~ Lots of squats, the day after a long hike, makes your thighs super-sore.
~ Having patience is not easy, but is worth it.
~ Catching up with good friends is wonderful.
~ Honey is a great remedy.
~ No matter how hard you have it, there is always someone out there who has it harder.

These were all things that I learned in the past week. We'll stop there for now, but there will be another installment sometime.

Birthday Celebrations (Only Two Months Later)

My birthday was pretty great this year. I totally am blessed. My birthday was on a Sunday this year and it was definitely a full weekend.

When I got off work on Friday, I headed up to Poky to spend some time with the padres. They took me out to dinner that night. We had a good time. Later that night, my aunt, uncle, cousin and her husband came into town, so I spent some time over there talking and catching up.

Saturday morning was General Conference. For the first time in I don't know how long, I was able to watch conference with my dad. It was so nice. In between sessions, we went and visited with the family. After the afternoon session, my mom and I met up with the rest of the family and ended up talking for a while longer. Then we headed to dinner. I left from dinner and headed back. I had some errands to run, groceries to buy and things to do before Sunday.

For some reason, when I got home, I could not get my front door unlocked. I blamed it on it being late and having my arms full of groceries. It turned out that my roommate's siblings had booby trapped our door, thinking that I was at home. I even found a note in the kitchen asking me not to use the front door. Oops! Got that note a little too late. Ha Ha. Oh well. 

On Sunday, I spent the day watching conference at the church. The sessions were amazing. Right after the second session, I headed over to Andrea & Robert's house. They were throwing me a small birthday party. We played games and talked. They also had bought me a cookie dough ice cream cake. It was so yummy and so nice. 

After that, my roommate had made a cake and we had some people over for cake and ice cream. It was really nice and fun. She decorated the house with balloons, which I think are long lasting balloons because they are still in our front room, and other decor. My cake had 48 candles, which made me laugh. We also played a few games. We are such kids at heart. 

It really was a nice weekend and day. I got to spend time with so many wonderful people, both family and friends. The best part was that it was not stressful. It was super relaxing and enjoyable. Thanks everyone for making it a fantastic and wonderful weekend. You are the best. :)