One highlight of the trip, the birds outside of R. Thomas.
Going to Atlanta seemed like a good idea...get me out of the house, celebrate our Anniversary, spend time at a spa. Late Wednesday afternoon Angel packed up the car, put gas in the tank, and we left...no particular goal in mind, only hopes of visiting the Georgia Aquarium...something he experienced with friends and really wanted me to see.
Just the stress of deciding where to go should have indicated maybe a road trip wasn't the best idea. For days, I researched comforting hotels, spas, organic food, and stuff to do -- vacillating between overwhelm, confusion, and misplaced excitement.
"We could stay near the theatre district. It's so great. That's where I saw Wicked," I said, sad I wouldn't be able to do that AND enjoy a deep dish pizza.
"Wait. Did I say theatre district?" I questioned a day later. "That's in Chicago," I told to my husband. "Did you realize I was talking about Chicago?" (Note: I thought I was researching Atlanta).
"Yeah...," he nodded, kind of sheepishly. "I noticed you Googled a bunch of hotels and restaurants there. I didn't have the heart to tell you."
"Oh," I said, fighting back tears.
From there, it only got worse.
It was my first time away with Angel since last October (except my parent's house). It was also my first time outside of my "controlled" environment. It was pretty confronting...packing a suitcase of pills, dealing with symptoms, $#*!ting the whole way there (once almost in my pants), not being able to walk or eat like we normally do.
Being sick at home is one thing. Being sick somewhere else is torture. No La-Z-Boy to ease my pain. No second bedroom with tv to help me sleep. No pantry full of herbs and potions. No Whole Foods across the street. A couple of girlfriends have been planning to take me to the beach this August. I LOVED the idea initially. Now, I worry, my body just can't handle it.
My whole experience can be summed up into three categories: the good, the bad, and the funny.
The Good?
- AMAZING massage (Seriously, if you are ever anywhere near Exhale Spa in Atlanta, you must see John)
- Delicious Gluten Free, Organic food -- YAY YEAH! Burger and R. Thomas
- Talking parrots and adorable otters
- An outstanding hotel staff and scrumptious robes (please let me hit the lottery so I can buy one)
- Hammam Detoxification Chamber
- Sevananda Natural Foods Market
- Time with hubby
- Meeting new friends
The Bad?
- Sensory overload...an unbearable reaction to sights, sounds, and crowds
- No tolerance for the packed Georgia Aquarium (Angel pushed me in a wheelchair, but I felt panicked most of the time)
- New, crazy neurological symptoms...bad anywhere...worse when you're eight hours from your doctor and bed
- A sterile hotel by day, a hip hop club by night (loud beats + tons of people = yuck, yuck, yuck)
- Lugging 30 plus pill bottles...completely depressing
- Taking said pills six times per day (not fun at home, but easier than when you are out)
- Seeing all of the things I used to do and not being able to do them
- Leaving early because I couldn't stand the discomfort
- Crying constantly and inappropriately (over gluten free hamburger buns, tissues, and hand cream)
The Funny?
- Waking up in the middle of the night choking. My husband: Are you alright? Me: I think I swallowed my sun glasses. Him: That didn't happen.
- The girl with the fistful of dollars Me: Man, you've got a lot of dollars there (noticing them falling out of her bejeweled pants and gold studded hands into the hotel elevator). Her: _________________________________(insert crazy eye and crickets chirping here).
- More sleep induced mayhem Me (asleep, sitting up, panicked): BABY! Are the chickens ok? Angel: Yes, Baby...the chickens are fine.
Phfew!!! It's good to be home.
Altered Today: Expectations, Limitations, Boundaries, Experiences, Gratitude for my Humble Abode
Friend, this post made me laugh and cry. Praying for a night of peace for you!
Posted by: Melissa | 07/24/2011 at 09:06 PM
Kathy,
What can I say...
Love to you girlfriend!
Paula
Posted by: Paula | 07/26/2011 at 09:34 PM
Jesus. There's so much! But I can't get the funny out of my head -
"I think I swallowed my sunglasses"
"That didn't happen"
Hilarious.
I'm glad you guys had a trip together. It's important.
I love you guys <3
Posted by: Saimz | 07/28/2011 at 12:09 AM