Noiseless Days

See, it's very maddening
This war silently rages.
You hear the quiet of the day
I hear the battle cry through the night
A clamorous and acute intensity
That is so loud it's bright.
The stillness that never comes
Noiseless days that do not exist
All a relentless unrest.

Pancreatitis Attack: What will help?

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this. Pancreatitis can be pretty severe. It's an inflammation of the pancreas that can cause severe pain, nausea, and other symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, seeking medical attention immediately is crucial; the sooner, the better. This attack could last from one to two weeks. When you are 48 hours past the symptoms, you should be on your way back to normal eating, but making diet changes is highly suggested.

I am sharing this post to provide you with support in an easy-to-understand way. I know you're facing some of the most challenging moments and may feel sicker than ever. It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed. These facts can offer comfort and guidance as you navigate the next few days.

Number One; Sleep elivated, try not to lay flat. It will feel better sitting up curled up but you got to rest so try to stay reclined with pressure against your stomach. If you use enough pillows you can sleep in a reclined postion. I also used a pillow pushed up against my stomach at all times.

Number Two; Ice Chips!!! They will be your best friend. You will be so thirsty but wont be able to hold anything down. Ice chips can be a life savor.

Number Three; Only clear liquids! Don't put more food in your stomach. CHICKEN BROTH!!! That will keep things calm in your gut and give you nutrition. I also ate bannana popcycles and canned cold peaches and grapes. I kept Sprite, Water and Ginger Ale all with lots of ice.

Number Four; take pain reliever around the clock.

Number Five;take baby sips of whatever you are drinking.

* I was told to use Vicks Vapor rub on my stomach for the pain but this is what I found out. Vicks Vaporub is a popular remedy for cough and congestion, but it is important to be cautious when using it on the stomach. The ingredients in Vicks Vaporub can cause stomach irritation and lead to discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If you experience any side effects, it is best to discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.

For me, the back pain was just about unbearable. I am about three days into feeling better, and I am still exhausted with back pain and some stomach pain and fullness. I was sick for fourteen days. I had one day I thought I was better, but twelve hours later, I was just as ill as day one.
I genuinely hope this information proves helpful and easy to understand. Please know that I'm wishing you a swift and smooth recovery. Take care of yourself during this time.

For stomach pain, it's better to try other remedies like:
Peppermint oil: Known to help relieve symptoms of indigestion and stomach discomfort.
Ginger: Has anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe an upset stomach.
Chamomile tea: Known for its calming effects on the digestive system


Symptoms
* Abdominal pain: This is the primary symptom and it often radiates to your back.
* Nausea and vomiting: These are common symptoms. Fever:
* You might experience a fever.
* Rapid heart rate: Your heart rate may increase.
* Swellingand tenderness in the abdomen: The abdomen may become swollen and tender.
* Trouble catching your breath.
*** In the event of a hospital stay you may be given oxygen, neausea medication, pain medication and fluids.

Causes
Gallstones: These can block the pancreatic duct.
Heavy alcohol use: Long-term alcohol abuse is a common cause.
High levels of triglycerides: Elevated triglycerides in the blood can lead to pancreatitis.
Infections: Certain infections can cause inflammation of the pancreas.
Genetic disorders: Some genetic conditions can affect the pancreas.

Treatments Hospitalization: You may need to be hospitalized for intravenous (IV) fluids, pain management, and other medications.
Pain relief: Medications to manage pain are often necessary.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be required to treat complications.

SOURCES
1. www.mayoclinic.org
2. my.clevelandclinic.org
3. www.niddk.nih.gov
4. www.webmd.com
5. continentalhospitals.com

Intake and Outtake and Breath...

The Nerve-Wracking Journey of Art Intake and Pickup

As an artist, the process of taking your artwork in for intake and later picking it up can be a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s a journey filled with anticipation, anxiety, and ultimately, a sense of accomplishment. Let’s delve into why this process can be so nerve-wracking and how to navigate it with grace.
The Anticipation of Intake The moment you decide to submit your artwork for an exhibition or gallery display, a mix of excitement and nerves sets in. You’ve poured your heart and soul into your creation, and now it’s time to share it with the world. The anticipation builds as you prepare your piece for intake. Will it be accepted? Will it be appreciated?
Preparation is Key: Ensure your artwork is properly framed, labeled, and accompanied by any necessary documentation. This preparation can help ease some of the anxiety, knowing that you’ve done everything you can to present your work professionally.

The Anxiety of Submission Walking into the gallery or exhibition space with your artwork in hand can be daunting. The fear of judgment looms large. What if they don’t like it? What if it doesn’t fit with the other pieces? These thoughts can be overwhelming.
Stay Positive: Remember that art is subjective. What one person may not appreciate, another might love. Trust in your vision and the effort you’ve put into your work.

Motivation Monday Continued

Good Monday morning. I realize I need to catch up and share my updates, but I believe everything happens for a reason. Looking back, one month was too early for an update. I appreciate your patience and understanding as I navigate this journey. Your unwavering support means the world to me, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for every one of you.
As I reach day 51, seven weeks and one day of my journey, I want to share that it hasn't been a smooth ride. There were days when my mind and body resisted, but my determination prevailed, allowing me to continue my journey. This victory over daily struggles and my higher power keeps me going. My progress inspires you to keep pushing forward in your journey.
I had a more challenging time during the first four weeks than during the last three. My chronic illness does cause difficult days, so fighting through and getting ready for the day has helped in many directions but also caused more challenging days. I do plan to dive deeper into all that in a future post. Today, I want to connect to show that I am still trying this out and share a picture of my demeanor on days 1, 49, and 50. I also encourage you to try it because I am thrilled with the outcome thus far.
I'm excited to share more about my journey in the future, so please stay tuned. I messed up on my sign for day 49. Embracing vulnerability, my husband and I were out of town for our anniversary trip, and I stink at math, to say the least. I hope you can see the difference as I feel it. Remember, we're in this together.

Junky Journal?

Junky Journal? Yes, that is our mission: to make a junk journal. Have you ever heard about Junk Journaling? Well, I hadn't until yesterday, and I thought we could do this together—a journal journey, a little road trip, if you will. It's not just about the result but the exciting journey of creativity and self-discovery we'll embark on together.
Let's start by setting our goal small, so we stay calm and relaxed. We can begin by writing a tiny two-week journal. Then, we can embark on our first one-month journal in October. The goal can be to write at least 12 journals in one year starting October 4, 2024, and try to do a page a day. Remember, everything can be adjusted as we go, as we are not married to any one idea. This flexibility allows us to experiment and find what works best for us.

This diary should teach us to turn junk into beauty, to see the beauty in the old and used parts of our lives. These journals will help us develop the habit of saving money and fostering creative thinking, strengthen our cognitive abilities, and help us prevent conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's. The benefits are numerous, and they should inspire us to keep going on this journey of journaling.
Junk journaling is a creative and sustainable form that involves using recycled and found materials to create personalized journals, such as things that would otherwise be discarded. This includes anything from paper scraps and magazine cutouts to fabric pieces, old photographs, and more. That is half the fun, to find the materials.
Junk journals can be used for various purposes, such as memory keeping, art journaling, or simply as a creative outlet. They can document daily life, special events, or personal thoughts and inspirations.

Each junk journal is unique and reflects the creator's style and preferences. This makes them an excellent way to express individuality and creativity. Junk journaling also promotes mindfulness and gratitude by encouraging you to document and appreciate life's small moments and details. As a previous blog post mentioned, learning and practicing mindfulness is one of the most essential parts of this recovery journey. We will use materials and techniques that resonate with you. It's a flexible and enjoyable practice that you can adapt to suit your style and needs without pressure.

Now that we have discussed junk journaling and how it can help our recovery process, let's jump in and start. We will begin by making the book cover—one set of directions for creating a book cover for your journal: www.creativeartnsoul.com/make-an-easy-junk-journal-cover/, but you can do what you want. I will post some easy ideas for making the covers next. If you know any, please let me know so I can share it with everyone. As we embark on this journal journey, please remember, "A journal is your completely unaltered voice." — Lucy Dacus

I Will Do the Digging

Let's work together to research, or better yet, I will do the digging and provide you with the essential details. That's how I prefer it. When investigating, I don't want to read a whole book and see the same information repeated on every page. You want to get to the point as fast as possible if you're like me. Our shared goal is to conduct efficient research, and this approach is designed to meet our needs. We will work together to accomplish this goal.

My diagnosis was two going on three years ago, abt the age of 45. I have questioned if I feel like I have had a BD all my life, and I have to say that after learning more about BD, unfortunately, I believe I have.
My first question after my diagnosis was, do I have to live with this forever? The answer was yes, which led to, will I struggle even when I take my medication? That answer was that it would likely continue to happen until your medication was correct, and then there would be fewer and further between before you do, so yes. After all, this is what I have learned so far.

Bipolar Disorder was, formerly called manic depression. It is a mental health condition that yields intense mood swings. These include dynamic highs, also known as mania or hypomania, and lows, also known as depression.

A Mental Disorder, sometimes referred to as a mental illness, is a behavioral or mental routine that generates substantial despair or impairment of personal functioning. 

Now that we have the two definitions above, we can search for what we need to learn to help us achieve a life with as few plunges and ascensions as possible while understanding how to live with a disorder.
I want to start with the top three things that are the best places to get started. I am using what I have learned from my recovery thus far, but I am still learning, so the priority is subject to change. If a stand-alone word is in bold, the definition is below and will be in the glossary I have created.
Number one, Education, is the one I feel is the most important, as this is understanding your diagnosis and educating yourself about Bipolar Disorder. Learning your symptoms, triggers, and treatment options can help you to manage your condition more effectively. Trying to Keep track of your mood changes and triggers can assist you and your healthcare provider in adjusting your treatment plan as needed, which can be a long and strenuous journey. If you feel comfortable, educate those around you about Bipolar Disorder. Lastly, educating yourself can help your supporters understand your experiences and provide better support. Educating those around you is a significant part of the recovery process.

Number two, Monitor your moods and medications. Keep track of your mood changes and triggers. Familiarizing yourself can help you and your healthcare provider adjust your treatment plan as needed. Medication can be a vital part of managing Bipolar Disorder. You should always take your medications as directed by your healthcare provider. Even if you don't think they are working. If that happens, continue to take your medication and make an appointment to discuss it with your provider. I have been told and read many times that the number one thing someone with BD is not to continue to take their medications. I can testify to my personal experience that when, for whatever reason, my medication wasn't working, I got tired and fed up with struggling until we found a medication that would.

The third is to prioritize your sleep. Good bedtime hygiene is crucial. Strive for a consistent sleep agenda and create a relaxing environment to ensure you get enough restorative sleep; even if you have to nap or two, get your rest. I can't say that enough. We all look at life differently when rested. Walking, exercising, and Physical activity can positively impact your mood and overall well-being and help you sleep better.  Find an exercise routine you enjoy and can stick with; being easy on yourself will help tremendously.

We have covered the definitions of Bipolar Disorder and a mental disorder as we are trying to comprehend how to live with BD together. We have also gone over three things we can do to help us navigate life with BD, along with some individual experiences. I hope this blog convinces you that you can navigate life with BD. We are not alone, and we can do it together. Please follow to continue learning together. If you get frustraited, please remember "Out of difficulties grow miracles." - Jean de La Bruyère,



Recovery is the act, process, or instance of recovering from an economic upturn (as after a depression) and also the process of combating a disorder (such as alcoholism) or a confirmed or perceived problem. These problems could be related to mental health, relationships, or personal development.

The article discusses the impact of mental health awareness on society and individuals, highlighting the significance of learning and supporting those with mental health conditions. https://newsinnings.com/impact-of-mental-health-awareness/