Overcoming Wal-Mart Phenomenon

Today I went to Wal-Mart.  With 3 kids.  And Wal-Mart was Wal-Mart.  Florescent lights, long lines, people moving in all directions.  And my kids were kids.  Wiggles, shakes, squeals, spats.  And I... drum roll please (this is seriously big news), did not get dizzy!  I did not feel like I was going to collapse.  I never felt like I was going to have to ditch my cart and leave.  I was able to think clearly and make wise choices.  I even spent less money than usual because of that.  I didn't feel like I needed the cart for balance.  I didn't snap or yell at my kids.  When we went out to the parking lot my depth perception was normal.  I wasn't jumping at every car that in actuality was no where near me. 

Today Wal-Mart Phenomenon did not get me!  (That is an actual term that my neurologist used to describe the weird migraines that occur with POTS in large places like Wal-Mart.)

On the way home the kids screamed and I didn't flinch.  No inappropriate adrenalin rush.  We listened to music.  We not only listened to music but did so at a volume that the kids like  And I like it to!  The alternating light and shadows on the road did not phase me.  I am an emotional person, but even with all we have gone through lately, I rarely cry.  I don't have time to.  But on the way home today I was listening to the loud praise music and fighting back tears.  It just felt so good to feel good.

So with all the sad news posts lately I wanted to share some good news.  And after a day of home school and grocery shopping I had the energy to write it!  Amazing!!  Now looking at this again several hours later, I am absolutely exhausted and wished I'd rested instead of writing.  But I'll learn to balance bouts of energy. I'm just not used to having any!  Fall has arrived and I am starting to feel better.  My doc had promised that I should feel somewhat better in spring and fall and I'm thrilled to see he was right.  I am so thankful.

So with optimism abounding right now I'll share some of the perks of having POTS.

• Salt.  Most people have to try to limit their sodium intake.  With POTS however, sodium helps.  It increases blood pressure and helps keep fluid volume up.  This gives your heart more to pump making it easier to get blood to your brain.  In fact my doc kept telling me I wasn't eating enough salt.  I couldn't possibly eat as much as I was supposed to so now I take sodium tablets in addition to eating lots of salt.  This is how much salt I'm supposed to eat a day!

• Compression Stockings.  OK, it might be a stretch to call this a perk, but they really help.  They are hideous.  At least the ones my insurance pays for are.  It's often to hot for stockings with jeans and stockings with shorts make my legs look fake, literally.  One day I was in my yard wearing said hideous stockings, capris and tennis shoes.  (Give me a break people.  I live in the middle of nowhere and was not expecting company.)  Well, the FedEx guy caught me by surprise.  I have never seen a grown man stare so blatantly with his mouth hanging so wide open, and I do believe I was given the power to read minds for just a minute.  And this is what the FedEx guy thought, "Seriously!  How have I been delivering to this girl for years and never noticed that she is a bilateral amputee?"  I smiled, grabbed the package and darted into the house, while FedEx guy thought, "No wonder I never noticed.  She sure moves fast on her prostheses!"  (Clearly FedEx guy has some medical background.) So this uncreative girl has been forced to use her right brain just a bit. I cover them with cheep, cute tights.  Not genius but I was proud my exhausted brain thought of it.

• Laughter and jokes.  As seen by my run in with Mr. FedEx, often there is nothing a Potsy can do but laugh at herself.  And there are plenty of jokes out there to laugh at, as well as a whole list of "You might have POTS if..."  My favorite answer is "if you have enough medical material to be a stand up comedian, but you can't stand up."  So here is a pic that makes me laugh.

Now that's funny!  (In case you don't get it, many people with POTS pass out a lot or at least come very close and spend a lot of time on the floor.)

• Most important are family and friends.  I have a very difficult time asking for help but I have great family and friends.  Many of them recognize when I am in need and help out without my even asking.  My husband is beyond incredible and does anything and everything he can to help.  In fact, Aiden asked Greg tonight, "if you could have anything in world what would it be?"  Without a seconds hesitation Greg answered, "for Mama to be well."  My mom unfortunately understands all to well what I am going through.  And she still does so much to help.  Friends near and far have encouraged and prayed.  This means so much.  I knew what a great support system I had before, but POTS has made it abundantly clear.

• And of course I am learning to trust and depend on God and His strength.  So often I truly have no means of my own to get through and I know it's only by His grace that I do.  That He cares to help me is the real phenomenon that I pray I am constantly overcome by.