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Title: My convention stories Post by catlind on Jul 23rd, 2003, 9:21am What a mind blowing experience. The very first clusterhead I met was Linda. The very first cluster attack I witnessed was Linda. My roomies were Elaine, Mast, Roxy, and Linda. I have 4 soul sisters that will never be far away from me because they live in my heart. As most know, my cycle so far has been an easy one. I made the mistake of drinking some alcohol. All of 3 sips from a drink I think. Sure enough, the dragon came swooping down on me. BillyJ, you're my hero. As I went running off the terrace and back to my room, Billy saw me go. I got to my room, and my meds and O2 were inside. The door was locked. I stood there crying banging my head on the door hoping it would open. Billy ran helter skelter to find my room key. When he couldn't find who had it, he sent a maintenance man to the room while he ran and got his O2. He sat with me while I rode out the hit. It was immensely moving to have a clusterbud right there with me. Afterwards, we laughed, and we cried. The next night, I was walking from the back of the cabin to the front (headed to the porch ;) ). DJ stopped me in front of him, took one look at me and said go do what you need to do. I told him I was fine, just a shadow. I sat down and was talking to Elaine. As my nose stuffed up I thought nah, I'm fine. Elaine went to get me a coke. All of a sudden the sweats hit and I knew I was in trouble. I took off running. Headed out in the general directions of the woods. I eventually came upon the water. I remembered Ann telling us last year that when she was sailing she jumped in to abort her attack. Well I had no idea where I was along the bank of the river so jumping in didn't seem like a good idea. Next best thing? I knelt on a rock and stuck my head in the water repeatedly. Effective, if not smart ;) I got back to the cabin and was in the bathroom sitting on the side of the tub, head down rubbing the side of my head. Linda came in and sat with me, rubbing the back of my neck, when she hit on THAT spot. First thing out of my mouth was "How do you know about that spot??" After she smucked me upside the coconut (verbally) I had to laugh at my dumbass comment LOL. Of course she knows about that spot, she's a clusterhead. And to Tracey, who when I headed for the back room where the O2 was, and sat there franticly (sp) trying to get the damn oxygen helped me get sorted out because the tank was empty and I was too damn dumb and in too much pain to figure that out. When the flow rate was too low for my breathing, she helped me rip the mask off the tube and I just sat there sucking O2. Mast on one side of me, Tracey on the other, one holding my hand, the other telling me BREATHE every couple a min/sec whichever it was, because I kept holding my breath. And damned if Tracey didn't make me laugh. I said something about damn that trex is good, and next thing I know, she's saying I know sex is good and I'm laughing and rocking and wondering how on earth can someone laugh with this pain... but I did. After that one, I was apologizing to Mast and asking her if I hurt her hand. Squeezing as hard as we can when getting hit, and she looked at me like I was from another planet LOL. "No, that's nothing, didn't hurt at all" she said. So I laughed because Clark comes away after me squeezing his hand whimpering with the pain, but then, he doesn't know CH pain. I hugged alot, I cried alot, especially after seeing my new clusterbuds hurting, I laughed alot, no I laughed a whole helluva lot!!!!!!!!!!! Elaine and Deb, and Tracey and Linda and Mast and I, the roomies, all sitting on the floor after me getting hit, and then Tracey getting hit, and I swear 300 situps wouldn't have given my stomach as much of a work out as all the laughter. So, in pain, in laughter, in love, to my roomies, and my clusterbuds, I salute you. luv Cat |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by CLR on Jul 23rd, 2003, 10:08am Thanks Cat for sharing your story, I guess ya know I've got tears in my eyes. Just glad you all had a great time, very special. Hug, Cindra |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by Ree on Jul 23rd, 2003, 10:16am Next time come Cindra there is strength in numbers... ree |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by BillyJ. on Jul 23rd, 2003, 10:39am Awww,damnit Cat your stirring up those dust particles again ;) Love ya sis,glad I was there for you,that alone would have made the trip worth while, the rest was a bonus.And what a bonus it was!! PF2 All Billy |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by Linda_Howell on Jul 23rd, 2003, 10:57am Does anyone have any suggestions for getting back to normal after this week-end? I had to clean 2 houses yesterday I can't remember if I put Comet on the furniture or Pledge in the tub. Linda |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by ShariRae on Jul 23rd, 2003, 11:26am aww cat.. thank you for sharing that...i am so pissed that I didnt make it.. but I WILL be at the next one...and to think I was close to this one (Buffalo, NY) DAYUMMMM Huggs Shari |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by Roxy on Jul 23rd, 2003, 12:15pm Cat the River Rat....that was one of the best improvisations I'd ever seen......dunking your head in the damned cold river.... :) I'm just glad it worked.....did wonders for her hair too....LOL..... ;) And if you don't quit making me cry in these posts, Cat...I'm gonna kill you. The one part Cat left out of her story, was that she was out of Maxalt, so I gave her a shot of my trex. Now I'm sure everyone knows about Cat's heart problems, and that the doctors had never given her trex because of these problems. So she is hurting and I ask her about the trex, 1/3 of a dose....she says do it!!!! So I do, with the proviso that she tells me everything she feels, and she reassuringly tells me that the hospital isn't that far away!! So we all sit and wait with her......she had promised to tell us......then she says her chest hurts, but she doesn't know whether it's from the trex or from laughing so damn hard....... :-/ Was vindicated this morning when the doctor prescribed her trex.....wheeeew. I had also given her another shot on the side of the road going back to the airport......and I'm damn glad the doctors now approve..... ;D |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by Margi on Jul 23rd, 2003, 1:48pm Awright, you girls - you're making ME cry here too!! Keep those stories coming!! Cat, wow. you really moved me with that one. I KNEW you'd be amazed by this experience - I'm SO happy for you!!! Mike's done the noggin in the river thing, too - we're here in the mountains though - water's pretty danged cold here. Quick abortive. And, uh, Linda? As long as you didn't Pledge the toilet seat - you're good to go, darlin. And, yes, I've done that. Don't ask. ::) |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by catlind on Jul 23rd, 2003, 1:58pm Back to normal Linda? LOL. We put the fun in dysfunctional ;) I don't know if there is going back now. This is a one way trip, you meet these people that you swear you've known all your life even though you've just met them. You watch with horror as they endure the pain of CH. You laugh with joy and glee as you have fun together. You cry in silence as you realize you are helpless. You pray to wotan, the gods, buddha or anyone that might listen and ask for some relief for your friends "Just give me all the pain please, please please don't let them hurt ever again, I'll take it all, just stop them from hurting!". You sit in wonder and awe at the resilience you see. You rejoice in the human spirit and that people with this dreaded affliction can still laugh and love. No Linda, there is no going back. It's a one way ticket. And this flight carries our souls and binds us forever. Don't be sad, smile and think of the drowned rat ;) We are never alone, we will always have each other. You're right Margi, it's very moving and powerful. Dammit, got something in my eye again.... Cat |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by Linda_Howell on Jul 23rd, 2003, 2:33pm On Saturday night, several of us went into town to shoot some pool. When I started to get hit I wen t to the womens bathroon with Susie hot on my heels. I only had a nasel spray with me and you all know how long that takes to work, so asked her to get me some ice from the bartender. As she was doing that Billy went sprinting to the car for the 02. It was empty!!!!!!!!! So here I am banging my head into the stall door when someone comes into the bathroom. I think it's Susie but it's not. A few seconds later I hear this, " Are you awlllll righhttttttttt?" in this incredulous voice. Susie comes in with the ice, and the woman asks her"Is she awwwlllll rightttttt?" Susie says matter-of-factly, Yeah, she's O.K. After it's over, I look at the bar rag and it's the filthy rag the bartender has been using all night to clean up with and Susie and I start to laugh. As we are leaving the bsthroom Susie says, OMG Linda you scared that poor woman so much she forgot to flush..... Another day in the life of a clusterhead. Linda |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by cootie on Jul 23rd, 2003, 5:57pm My story goes like this: We decide to leave a day early on Thursday.....Brad practially has to drag me outa the house ta leave all the house pets ect and me feelin guilty. Plus I'm tryin ta bondo over my hive attack pox on my face. We drive lill more then half way (turned out to be more like a 10 hr trip). We pass up the real nice batch of hotels along the highway with cool restrants next to them ta drive on a bit farther....then all we can find is low-life budget ones. We had ta pick between the Budget or the Value hotel. I don't even remember which one I picked cuz all we had to go by was one had flower pots hangin by each door and the other had overhead lights. Of course we ended up in the "Taliban Seedy Hotel" with bonus burlap towels and the fresh smell of orange disenfectant overwhelmed the room. I thought I was gonna have a major freak out panic attack when I went in.....very stuffy and smelly.....not fer closterfobics ! I got little sleep there......blahhhh ! Bed was hard as a rock and I plopped down and HURT my back it was so hard.........duh ! OK...so we git out early in the mornin n go to the nearby Hillbilly Redneck Inn for breakfast........I was the main attraction there.....I remember mumblin 'take a picture it'll last longer' several times ! So off we go........we get to the resort and I am nervous as a cat as usual meetin all these strangers at the convention. So I start ta talk to a couple in the resort as we are checking in askin em if they are clusterheads and they just sorta back up and say NO......opps. OK....then I met live4fun.........then Ree......warmest welcome in the world from these two so I KNEW it was gonna be OK !! We put our stuff away in the room and checked it out then headed over to the CH party cottage where everyone was.....waiting. I was overwhelmed by the welcomes.....everyone yells "COOTIE"......they all line up for warm hello's and big hugs. I had the best time of my life with perfect strangers I feel closer to now then my bestest friends here at home I have known for ever......almost impossible to explain but it's true !!! I had a total blast......never a dull moment and laughin my ass off till it hurt ! Brad is the one with the lampshade in the pic's......ha-ha-ha...inside joke. I learned so much....I made so many new heart to heart friends.....Brad thanked me Friday nite when we got back to the room after the super good time for gettin him involved with this group and gettin him to go to the convention...he had tears in his eyes when he said that and gave me a lill kiss. He was totally overcome by it all......now we are tryin ta get back ta normal. He came home from work early the first day back cuz he jus wasn't into it and talks about all the funny stuff that happend at the convention over and over. Got ta meet and talk to the person who started this place.....DJ......got to give him a hug and yak off and on.......he's the coolest !!! Thanks everyone for the great time........I miss you all deeply ! Pam that was a porch partyer and lovein it :) |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by Margi on Jul 23rd, 2003, 6:50pm ok, Cootie, you're now officially on my list of people who can make me cry. excellent post, gal - i went through EXACTLY what you went through last year and now you're letting me relive it all. Loved seeing the pics of you my friend!! I think we need a new support group here - convention post partum blues. Hell, we didn't even GO and I'm missing everyone!! It's just not fair. :'( |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by Edna on Jul 23rd, 2003, 9:51pm gee don't know which to do....... :'( :) Thanks to all of you for sharing, warms my heart knowing you all enjoyed each other so much. pf wishes to all, EDNA |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by Ree on Jul 23rd, 2003, 10:39pm all I can say is awwwwwwwwwwww cuz I'm still so tired from not sleepin much............ My story stars with pullin into the parking lot and being greeted by Billy J and KOP(Steve) early in the AM of Friday morning... they are two of the nicest guys. Yellin "CH???" Dave thought they were yellin "V8" about his car. (Dave also suffers from deafness me thinks) any way I said "No Dave they are saying CH???" They both came down to the reservation desk to be sure we got in ok... KOP is the sweetest guy, and Billy J had great stories of his supporter Minnie. We then got about 3 hours sleep and I started looking out the window for faces that I might recognize. Got a call from Cat shortly after 10 AM she heard I was lookin for life. Then Deb and Bill called for us to find them about 3 doors down with a beautiful view of the St Lawrence... They were mistakenly put in the Honey moon Suite... it wasn't long before they moved them... it was ok Deb got some free drinks out of the deal... and Deb shares!!!!(thanks Deb) Met Mr Happy in the hall and he doesnt look like his avatar...He is one funny man. Walkin towards the cottage I felt like a little kid goin to Disney. I just couldnt wait to meet the friends that I shared space on the MB with. DJ was coming towards me... I was a little nervous meeting him. He gave me a hug I will never forget... He was just as cute as I thought he would be... That was the best for me, meeting everyone and watching everyone arrive... it was great. Then I met Cat...Mast, Tracey, Suzy, Pepper, Kev (Kiss my glass) Kev has a wonderful supporter Irma. Eyes A Fire I call him Eyes a Blazin (Steve) plays the guitar and entertained us alot. Linda H... Elaine, all wonderful people........Jonny is a character but I already knew that.......I never got to cut his hair so we will make an appointment at a later date... too much alcohol and scissors don't mix...Later to arrive were Bryan, Pigeon Joe, Dan (This hurts) He is not an axe murderer by the way........Cootie & Brad came later and it was great to meet them too... Lizzie and Ave (Annemarie) Ave has little philosophies she drops every now and then and I was wishing I had paper to write them down.......It was nice to meet sweet quiet but very smart Joanie, Tim W and his sweet wife Robin......... Tom...M.R. (Mike that got hit hard on the golf course) Terry and Ann... and to finally meet Charlie was such a treat he is soooooooooo tall. If I left anyone out it is not for lack of love but lack of sleep right now... I am still laughing at the funny things that happened. I am crying about the pain everyone that is involved endures. I am thankful for the experience. Thankyou DJ for this wonderful site... Thanks Cat for the great convention... Say a prayer for Dave as he begins the madness............love ya Ree a big ps >>>and Our supporter friend Anthem Clark that made it possible for Cat to do all that she did.......... Aidan is also beautiful and we shared his birthday cake... |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by catlind on Jul 24th, 2003, 7:23am awww dammit Ree :'( Ya done made me cry again! But then you made me laugh, hard!! Dan, you'll be pleased to know you're not an ax murderer ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!! You and Dave are THE perfect couple. I mean, a match made in heaven, literally! They say they were in God's pocket together, they were born in the same hospital at the same time (2 days apart if I remember right). They are truly a Ken and Barbie couple in the best sense of the meaning. Dave is soooooooooo in love with that woman it's all he can talk about and you can see it in his eyes everytime he says her name! And everyone was great, Pam and Brad are the cat's ass!!! LOL. So many wonderful people, so much fun, so much pain, it's a wonder we ever survive. Then you experience this, and you KNOW, there is only EVER one option, survival, at all costs. Family looking out for Family. They say that blood is thicker than water, well I say that CH is thicker than blood. Cat (damn dust.... :'( ) |
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Title: Re: My convention stories Post by cootie on Jul 24th, 2003, 10:11am I'm never gonna be normal agin after this.....oh wait a minute.....was I ever normal b-4 ? Brad came home from work early the first day back and said he jus couldn't get into it.......he's "still" sayin that and it is Thursday already.....almost a week since all the excitement of the convention......a week !!!? I sudjest you all try and make the next one....take it from sumone that is hard to toally impress......I WAS TOTALLY IMPRESSED !! Ok......back to work.......woe is me Pam ;D |
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