coming back from absentia

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 12:41 pm

Sorry I have been absent. It's been a tough couple of weeks.

I don't know if any of you follow the news of the entertainment industry, and know that the Visual Effects branch is in crisis right now. The company that made The Life of Pi live (did the tiger, the sea, in fact everything but the boy and the boat) declared chapter 11 the week before the Oscars, where they took a bunch of prizes, and currently my son Adam is on leave without pay. Luckily he has many irons in the fire (his Disney show in development; a movie script withe Warner Bros etc.), but he moved out of his apartment and in with me. My apartment is small for us, and we are doing OK, but it is an adjustment. He has always used me to help with his ideas, and bounces things off me all the time, but when he was at work and in his own place it was different. Now, from the minute he opens his eyes in the morning, and every moment he is here he is talking to me about his work. It's tiring, but necessary for me to shut up and listen. And give him feedback.
His dog, Lenny, hates me and is dead scared of me. We know he was molested badly before we got him at the pound. We have no idea why he doesn't seem to want to get used to me. He adores Adam.

For me, if I was in the kitchen a lot before I am in there 2x as much. Adam is into eating healthy, not touching "anything white", drinking his shakes and losing weight, so he loves the food I prepare. He is losing weight, while I am still NOT!
I am eating paleo except for oats. I make oatmeal crackers which I eat with sardines, or avocado for breakfast. I tried ONLY paleo, but it didn't help me to lose weight, and left me hungry, so I started eating some oats. I seem to be able to manage well with just that amount.

The other stressful thing - my purse/bag was stolen. I was at Costco, just came out and was putting my stuff into the car when I cart seemed to roll towards the car. I didn't manage to stop it, and added a new scratch to the myriad of bumps and nicks to which my car is so susceptible, but he 20 seconds I took my eyes off my cart seem to have been enough for whoever took the bag to do so. This whole week has been devoted to cancelling credit cars, letting people know, getting a police report, and new drivers license and so forth.
Super tiring.

Frankly, I have given up waiting for Norman. He's worse than Godot for me - Godot has been here 3 times, while I am still waiting for N!
If I can get a couple of days a week where I empty out the worst of it so I am not in awful pain from cramps etc it's OK. I use stool softeners and Citrucel daily. I try to avoid reaching D levels, but that's about all I can do.

Also, my back has been so bad I have given in and asked my pain doc for an epidural, hopefully to calm it down and allow me to move more easily. I don't know what is contributing to the exhaustion - the MC or the constant pain.
Walking is so hard for me. It doesn't get any easier like it should as I build up strength. I feel like I am starting again day by day. Still, Lenny, the dog, is only OK with me when we are out walking, so that is a good incentive to try.

I can feel I am getting a UTI. I got some D-Mannose, which says I should take 2 2x a day regularly, but from what I have read here people start taking it when a UTI starts.
How should I take it UTI experts? 2 2x a day until the feeling of UTI goes away?

Big good news I am even reluctant to post lest I spook it - I am cutting down PPIs SLOWLY. I am now down to one a day, and trying to work up the courage to try one every 2nd day. I am using Vit D and H2 blockers, and it seems to be helping, though the oral thrush/mouth sores have increased.
Still, I plod on!

It's amazing how these things can take over day in the life of....And then another and another!

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 12:57 pm

Dear Lesley,

I'm sorry you're still having such a hard time. You surely have a recalcitrant case of MC!

I'm sorry too that things are hard for Adam right now. Adjusting to having your children move in (or being the child who moves in) is a challenge, no matter how much you love each other and like being together. You get into a routine, and it's stressful to have that changed.

I was thinking of you just the other day. It's getting warmer, and I thought to myself, "I need to go find Lesley's recipe and make some ice cream."

Hang in there. You know we're all rooting for you.

Love,
Martha

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 1:49 pm

Thanks Martha!

Adam has savings enough to last a while, but he has no idea what is going to happen. If Disney goes for a pilot of his show and it gets picked up, well, things are GREAT. If Warner bros buys his script - ditto.
Both these things will determine where he needs to live, so it's too early for him to decide exactly where he wants to live. The issue is not only money.
It is hard though.

I don't know how to manage my MC since it is so C dominated. I have said this often so I won't go on. I am eating as well as I can under the circumstances and that has to be good enough!

I think of little Abigail often!

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 2:39 pm

Lesley-- from Kansas to LA -- :bigbighug:

I'm speechless really-- a rarity for me. As if the rest isn't stressful enough getting your purse stolen is really kicking you when you are down. A pox upon them!!

Trying though it is, it's good that you are there for Adam. Hopefully this is a very temporary thing and someday you two will be saying "hey remember the time that Lenny and I had to come and stay with you? That was a crazy time, wasn't it?" Here's hoping that something terrific comes through for him in a big way.

You are a strong lady. I am still in awe that you went to England and Israel and did well. You are an inspiration really.

Please keep in touch.
Carol

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 5:25 pm

My hugs to you, Lesley. One day at a time (sometimes a minute at a time) is all you can do when all the chaos hits. Love, Deb

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:33 pm

Wow Lesley, you've had more happen to you in a month than some of us have happen in a lifetime. I hope your living arrangement is temporary and Lenny realizes that he's lucky to have you.

Hang in there. It will get better.

Gloria

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:35 pm

I'm so sorry, Leslie. You are in a perfect storm of stress that, God willing, can only get better. Take good care of yourself and take Martha's advice and make some ice cream. I hope things get better soon.

Sheila W

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:44 pm

You are an inspiration really.

I wish they had an emoticon that showed how loud I am laughing! Adam should hear that!

Actually, he is doing fine. He knows he is going to be OK. As soon as he knows what's what he will see where he is going to live and find himself an apartment. The problem is he needs quiet for work so when he works here he more or less takes over the living room with his equipment. However, he often goes out to work. He likes people watching while he works.

My back is a lot worse since my trip

. I have made an appointment for an epidural. I can't wait.

But yes, the purse thing was unnecessary. I could have done without it.

Thanks Deb! I appreciate it!

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:37 am

Leslie,
Just want to add some hugs to the others. You just don't seem to get a break. I feel bad for your son. Mine also lost his job of 15 years last Oct. as a restaurant manager on the Jersey Shore. It's not easy to find another since Hurricane Sandy. He has found something, but not paying what he was getting before. Right now he is having a hard time keeping up with condo expenses and could lose it. We never stop worrying about our children no matter how old they are.

Hang in there Leslie, you are one stong woman.

Nancy

Eric · Post by **Eric** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:54 am

Sorry to hear about everything piling up. Know you're not alone and we're thinking about you.