Success in the midst of chaos

I haven't written much lately as I have been writing more in my caring bridge journal at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jenelle

Simply put I am surviving. A friend gave me a sticker recently that describes how I feel most days.
List of things to do today:
1. Get up
2. Survive
3. Go back to bed

My life is hard...with pain...dystonic attacks...chronic vomiting if I eat...infections...IV nutrition maintenance...feeding tube issues...fatigue...spasms and the list goes on. I survive by finding joy and happiness with my family, friends and what I do have to be thankful for.

My son is the joy of my life. He is growing up so fast. He talks all the time and loves telling me about everything. He is in awe of all that life has to offer. For example...crafts at preschool...caterpillars...rocks...spiders...dirt on the floor...the clouds...the sun...trees...cracks in the floor...friends...love...books...hugs...coffee and bagels...ice cream...snacks...rolly polly bugs...sticks...poop...flowers...bubbles...afternoon walks...playgrounds...the park...spit...toothpaste...baths...toys...stickers...grandmas and grandpas...picnics...spiderman...underpants...wagons...popsicles...and so much more.

He reminds me to focus on the small joys of life and let my struggles and disabilities exist without being the center of my life. I survive by living in the moment and being thankful for what I have. Doing this has also made me a successful Ph.D. student. I was recently recognized for my academic accomplishments.

http://bl-psy-appsrv.ads.iu.edu:8080/
If you don't see my picture click on "Dorner receives first Pari Prerana award"

The picture is with the Dean of the University Graduate School, Dean James Wimbush

For those of you living with dystonia, gastroparesis, fibromyalgia or other chronic illness. Hang in there...live in the moment...find the small joys in your life and know that you are not alone.

YMCA class

We signed up our son for classes at the YMCA. It is just a general preschool class for two year olds for a couple hours three days a week. He just started going this week and he loves it. They have some free play before a circle time with a story, an activity and then a snack. He gets so excited about telling what he did at "school". On his first day he said "Mommy today is Monday!" I said "Did you learn that at school?" and he says "yes Mommy and we walked on paper". They apparently read a story about footprints in the snow and the art activity was stepping barefoot into a tray of paint and making footprints on paper. He is already making friends and even has asked to have some friends over to "my house to play with my big cars". It is wonderful to see him so excited and growing up. This will be a wonderful program for him and I am so glad he is excited about it.

In the picture he is bundled up for our first big snow this winter. He made snow angels and had a snowball fight with his Daddy.