Aa
BACK from vacation!
The Smoky Mts. were amazing… I had such a fun time! Our motel didn’t have working wireless… and I felt so cut-off from ya’ll. If this is a choppy post, forgive me… I blame it on the lack of sleep and amount of time spent staring at strange souvenirs, shopping, and watching the Olympics.
I know my trip has nothing to do with a health problem, but I still feel as though you are family, and I’m excited to tell you about it.
Ok, so we stayed in Pigeon Forge, and from there we visited Cades Cove in the Smoky Mts. National Park several times which is a small cove 10 miles square that is hemmed in by the Mountains on all sides and can be drove through on small roads at slow speeds to observe all the natural wildlife in the evening (wow- tons of dear and some elk, and we even saw a bear).
We then took the Sky Tram “Ober Gatlinburg” up the mountains to the tippy-top and from there visited a black bear habitat.
We also visited the Old Mill, which is a real grist mill and also went to a pottery house and watched them create pottery (that was fascinating, the guy was turning out huge, expensive and beautifully shaped clay vases every two or three minutes).
On our way home we stopped at the Mayfield Dairy plant and toured it and watched them package the milk… and my family ate their wonderful ice-cream.
Lastly, we stopped at Rock City at the top of Look Out Mountain near Chattanooga… that was soo much fun. From the top at their observation point you can see in so many directions and so many states (7 I think). It was so amazing…and I managed to get pretty far on the flat trails, and then I went “backwards” down the one trail against the flow of people (going down steps is always easier than up!) and it was beautiful… until I go to a flight of stairs at least three stories. Well…. I was determined…. So up I went!!!! I will say, that was enough stairs for me for a VERY LONG time! But the view and the gorgeous scenery was worth it!
I’m posting a few pictures to, but don’t blink, or you’ll miss them… I don’t want them floating on the web for long… my pictures are precious to me…. So I’m only posting a few enough to tell a story!
I learned a lot…. I never once saw anyone my age with a cane. That didn’t come as a shock, but a gentle reminder that being 20 and having a neurological walking difficulty isn’t the norm. I also found that when you are using a cane, strangers will talk over you as though you are a child and round-about you in 2nd person and seem very pleasantly surprised when you speak in an intelligent manner. When you are in a wheel-chair they simply ignore you and stare at your feet as though wondering WHY they aren’t working! I’m not feeling in any way bitter about this, it is just an observation of mine.
As far as my health, I think it went backwards further, but that too could be to one to many late nights and shopping trips! J Smiles. I don’t think I could simply stand in one place without falling over or needing a balancing arm or my handy cane.
I have upped by Topamax to 75 mg. on the way to 100 mg. to control the migraines per neuro DWI orders last visit and a NICE side effect is that it is controlling those partial seizures… I’ve only had 2 since our chat about them on the forum (no more of those possible gran mals). I do have a question Dr. Quix (put on the lab coat) If someone were to come in and mention that they had woke up and realize that they had chewed on the middle (not side) of their tongue VERY HARD, and on other nights had also chewed on their lip, and the side of their tongue …What would you say? I mean, other than, your tongue isn’t gum or isn’t made for chewing on. (Smile!) I’ve woke up with a bloody lip, what am I doing now? I’m calling tomorrow for a PCP appt. with a doc that I’ve seen before and do like, I hope to get in soon (I’m heeding ya’lls advice and my parents who pay my medical bills are ok with it).
So, I’m BACK!
I know this was long, hope ya’ll made it to the bottom!
~Sunnytoday~
I know my trip has nothing to do with a health problem, but I still feel as though you are family, and I’m excited to tell you about it.
Ok, so we stayed in Pigeon Forge, and from there we visited Cades Cove in the Smoky Mts. National Park several times which is a small cove 10 miles square that is hemmed in by the Mountains on all sides and can be drove through on small roads at slow speeds to observe all the natural wildlife in the evening (wow- tons of dear and some elk, and we even saw a bear).
We then took the Sky Tram “Ober Gatlinburg” up the mountains to the tippy-top and from there visited a black bear habitat.
We also visited the Old Mill, which is a real grist mill and also went to a pottery house and watched them create pottery (that was fascinating, the guy was turning out huge, expensive and beautifully shaped clay vases every two or three minutes).
On our way home we stopped at the Mayfield Dairy plant and toured it and watched them package the milk… and my family ate their wonderful ice-cream.
Lastly, we stopped at Rock City at the top of Look Out Mountain near Chattanooga… that was soo much fun. From the top at their observation point you can see in so many directions and so many states (7 I think). It was so amazing…and I managed to get pretty far on the flat trails, and then I went “backwards” down the one trail against the flow of people (going down steps is always easier than up!) and it was beautiful… until I go to a flight of stairs at least three stories. Well…. I was determined…. So up I went!!!! I will say, that was enough stairs for me for a VERY LONG time! But the view and the gorgeous scenery was worth it!
I’m posting a few pictures to, but don’t blink, or you’ll miss them… I don’t want them floating on the web for long… my pictures are precious to me…. So I’m only posting a few enough to tell a story!
I learned a lot…. I never once saw anyone my age with a cane. That didn’t come as a shock, but a gentle reminder that being 20 and having a neurological walking difficulty isn’t the norm. I also found that when you are using a cane, strangers will talk over you as though you are a child and round-about you in 2nd person and seem very pleasantly surprised when you speak in an intelligent manner. When you are in a wheel-chair they simply ignore you and stare at your feet as though wondering WHY they aren’t working! I’m not feeling in any way bitter about this, it is just an observation of mine.
As far as my health, I think it went backwards further, but that too could be to one to many late nights and shopping trips! J Smiles. I don’t think I could simply stand in one place without falling over or needing a balancing arm or my handy cane.
I have upped by Topamax to 75 mg. on the way to 100 mg. to control the migraines per neuro DWI orders last visit and a NICE side effect is that it is controlling those partial seizures… I’ve only had 2 since our chat about them on the forum (no more of those possible gran mals). I do have a question Dr. Quix (put on the lab coat) If someone were to come in and mention that they had woke up and realize that they had chewed on the middle (not side) of their tongue VERY HARD, and on other nights had also chewed on their lip, and the side of their tongue …What would you say? I mean, other than, your tongue isn’t gum or isn’t made for chewing on. (Smile!) I’ve woke up with a bloody lip, what am I doing now? I’m calling tomorrow for a PCP appt. with a doc that I’ve seen before and do like, I hope to get in soon (I’m heeding ya’lls advice and my parents who pay my medical bills are ok with it).
So, I’m BACK!
I know this was long, hope ya’ll made it to the bottom!
~Sunnytoday~
Hey, you were right here where I live! I live in Sevierville which is about 10 min from Pigeon Forge! I have been to Cades Cove the Old Mill and most of the places you went. I wish I had known you were going to come here, I could have tried to get you some free passes to a lot of the attractions here!
I am glad you had a good time. I don't go to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg to often because I have lived here for 15 years and the traffic gets old fast. I usually take all the back roads to cut down on sitting in traffic. If you ever come back, let me know and I will get you a map of all the shortcuts and back roads.
Hope you are well,
Hugs,
~Santana~
I am glad you had a good time. I don't go to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg to often because I have lived here for 15 years and the traffic gets old fast. I usually take all the back roads to cut down on sitting in traffic. If you ever come back, let me know and I will get you a map of all the shortcuts and back roads.
Hope you are well,
Hugs,
~Santana~
One of the signs that somebody is having gran mal seizures in their sleep is a bitten tongue. It's one of the ways the doctor can tell you're not faking it... if they're one of THOSE doctors, that is. Nobody would chew on their own tongue in their right mind - ouch!
I'm glad you had such a good time! It's reassuring to know you can go out and do things, even with being under the weather.
I'm glad you had such a good time! It's reassuring to know you can go out and do things, even with being under the weather.
Oooooh, it sounds like I've added a destination on my list of places I have to go some day! What you've described is just the kind of place that makes my heart happy. Thank you for sharing your vacation with us; it truly sounds wonderful!
Welcome home,
Kathy
Welcome home,
Kathy
The trip was simply amazing, now I'm home and trying to make phone calls, and get everything done, life is back to being crazy busy here!
~Sunnytoday~
~Sunnytoday~
Wow, sounds like you had a great trip. I could almost see myself there. I wish. lol I am glad that you had a nice time.
Now listen up to Quix and do as she says!!!!
Hugs
Moki
Now listen up to Quix and do as she says!!!!
Hugs
Moki
Hey! Sunnykins! Welcome back! I think the Smokey Mountains are truly heaven on earth!
About chewing on the lip. Certain meds can cause this if I remember (I think things that affect neurotransmitters). But, Awakening like that is always suggestive of grand mal seizures. Your doc needs to know!!! Make sure that you tell the front desk, possible seizures and awakening with chewed up tongue and lips. If it was just the med, you would expect to wake up in sudden pain the second you chomped down on your lip. The lips have the highest density of sensory nerve ending of anywhere in the body.
Talk later,
Quix
About chewing on the lip. Certain meds can cause this if I remember (I think things that affect neurotransmitters). But, Awakening like that is always suggestive of grand mal seizures. Your doc needs to know!!! Make sure that you tell the front desk, possible seizures and awakening with chewed up tongue and lips. If it was just the med, you would expect to wake up in sudden pain the second you chomped down on your lip. The lips have the highest density of sensory nerve ending of anywhere in the body.
Talk later,
Quix
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