I have been going to these conventions for years...
And then I started to change...
This twice a year event really tests my person...
Its exciting and fun seeing my peers, friends and amazing glass...
Also its vegas so theres something for everybody...
Good times abound...
The first trip after diagnosis was a serious trial...
We drove from Eugene, Oregon non-stop to Vegas...
Of course we all work like dogs till we get to the show,
Then party hard and come home,
Do it all again...
So I was pushing myself harder than I ever would do now...
I didn't eat right, that,
coupled with the fatigue led to a huge crying breakdown episode once we checked into our room...
My boyfriend at the time was great at handling me and helping me move through many hopeless and depressive thoughts...
I mustarded up just enough energy to visit my good friends for the first time since diagnosis,
They hadn't seen me since I got really sick...
They commented on how much weight I had lost...
Looking for signs of sickness..
I had a hard time walking through the hard rock to their rooms and the elevators...
It was bringing me down...
Feeling extremely self conscious...
I knew some people were finding out about my new diagnosis...
I felt like they were watching me...
Judging me...
I know I was...
It was a tough trip...
All my trips to glass events end with inspiration..
Mostly memories of good times, good people and a lot inspiration...
The next show I wised up and rented a scooter...
Changed everything for me!!!!
Helped to make me feel more normal...
Less self conscious...
Fortunately I have the kind of best friend who is fearless and rents a scooter with me!
We had the best time :)
Scooting everywhere...
We barely had to get a taxi the entire week...
Went up and down the strip...
All day and night...
The wind in our hair...
It was a great adventure!
Now every time I am in Vegas I rent a scooter...
Even just to walk through the hotel...
This trip I made some new changes to also help make me feel better in vegas..
Brought a vitamix blender...
Made green smoothes every morning...
I made sure I had sleep and didnt take shots or get really drunk...
Drank Kombucha in the mornings...
Kept hydrated...
Makes me feel good that I had made decisions that led to me feeling good...
Its always a battle...
Especially travel...
I just hope to have at least one night when I can go out and party with everyone else...
Usually I try and make sure I don't have to work the next day...
This time I brought my cane to the party just in case...
You never know how far your gonna have to walk...
In hind site, I should've taken my hurry cane...
Hide it when I had my hands full...
Usually at clubs and bars theres not enough room to fall anyways..
Plus drunks usually look like they have ms...
We saw a guy fall flat on his face as we walked into this party...
I brought the light saber cane my brother got me to Vegas but barely took it out...
I have such a horrible memory at times...
I knew I'd be drinking...
I decided to keep it in the room most of the time...
Its okay that I have to say no more often these days...
I am hoping that I know myself better these days...
The last few shows previous,
I kept getting these big allergic welts...
Didn't know if it was a food or medication allergy...
Apparently its both and I am highly allergic in general...
I have seen dr.s, had tests, etc...
I get these flare ups at times when I am emotionally stressed...
Haven't been taking care of myself...
Eating inflammatory foods...
Drinking and not resting enough...
Mostly its stress related...
My mind controls these welts...
Its one of the craziest side effects of ms that I really dislike...
This trip, I only had a tiny one...
It came and went quick..
Which is great because at times, my stress was off the charts...
I am hoping I am learning to deal better...
Putting the glass down...
Saving some spoons in my back pocket...
I hope that I listening to my body better...
Work in progress...
