Summertime Webcamming
June 7th, 2011 by John WolfeCamile, Goldie and a couple of other folks have been asking in the chatbox about my webcam feed this summer (BTW, thanks for your interest in the feed, guys!), so I wanted to give an update about my planned webcamming activities.
As of right now, I’m totally wanting to get the feed going, but (man, I really dislike having to use the word “but”) things have still been funky where my health’s concerned. I don’t want to turn this into a downer of a post or some kind of pity party for me, rather I just thought I’d let you guys know a bit of info that’s going to impact my shop activities i.e., the webcam feed.
The doctor found out the gallbladder wasn’t the only thing causing my digestive issues. They’ve now diagnosed me with “gastroparesis”, which is a fancy way of saying my stomach doesn’t digest food properly.
They determined this by actually scanning how long a meal sits in my stomach. The scan showed it stays in there twice as long as the average stomach, and this in turn can bring on a slew of crazy symptoms, from bloating to intense pressure, to nausea and a ton of weight loss (from not wanting to eat). They do have meds for it, but the first one I took knocked me out, making me very lethargic and it seemed to do little to help with digestion, so I trashed that sucker.
I’m now using some natural supplements (with good results), along with a few other tools like staying super positive and keeping a good attitude, knowing I’ll eventually beat this thing no matter what. Afterall, I’m pretty stubborn and enjoy a good challenge — look at how much patience and persistence I have when it comes to my mache technique. Also, the amazing support from family and friends helps keep me going as well! On the bright side, my food bill has been very inexpensive lately. 
Anyway, I want you guys to know I’m hanging in there and I’m doing my best to deal with this, but it is going to impact my prop building and webcamming since I can run hot and cold with it — some days I feel good and others I feel poorly. I’m going to give it a few more weeks and then try starting the cam around the first week of July. I can’t guarantee a consistent schedule, but I’m hoping to have it running at least a couple of days/nights per week.
If you’re interested in my prop building activities, and seeing me sweat like crazy in the shop, 
keep checking back as I promise to post an entry as soon as the feed begins.
Starting in July, I’ll also keep you guys updated throughout the summer via the Home page’s chat box as to whether there will be a feed that day or night. Thanks again for your interest.
June 7th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Poor lamb. Yes, I know about gastroparesis and Reglan is the usual drug of choice but it can take some getting used to. I agree about going natural. You take care of yourself. We aren’t going anywhere. You’re our favorite Halloween dude and all-around good person.
June 7th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
autumnforest,
Thank you, autumn. That means the world to me!
I care about all of you guys. Along with my family and offline friends, all my visitors here at SoS are what keep me inspired and looking forward to life during this kind of stuff.
Yeah, Reglan was the one I was on and it just kicked my butt. When you’re working to stay positive and keep your spirits up, having a super lethargic reaction to a drug isn’t the way to go. I’m now using liquid vitamins which also contain my greens, a strong digestive enzyme with ox bile and additional stomach acid, ginger root (helps the stomach contract) and I’m getting ready to add in a probiotic. I’ve been adding each of these slowly to keep an eye on how I react to them. Thank goodness the enzymes and ginger root do a better job for me than the Reglan and they don’t cause fatigue.
June 7th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
So sorry to hear that you are not 100%. Hope that you find what you need to better. I agree with autumnforest – take care of yourself, the haunt world needs you. You are one of the most generous haunters out there…I cannot imagine the haunt/blog world without you.
Cheers!
June 7th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Yup thats right we are not going anywhere . You take your time and get well and when you are good and ready to start the webcam again just let us know. Still sending healing energies my friend. Keep positive , it really does help. Talk to you soon.And be well.
June 7th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
The Frog Queen,
Thank you so much!!! Again, your kindness means the world to me, just like the extremely nice comment autumn left. Knowing I’m doing something worthwhile and meaningful for folks is what really matters and keeps me moving forward. I don’t want to sound over dramatic, but psychologically it’s been a pretty trying time the last few months and having you express what you did is like a lifeline being thrown to me. It totally reinforces my purpose and I can’t thank you enough for that.
ssflipo13,
I appreciate that, man! You’re a rock of support for me and SoS and a tremendous online friend. Thank you so very much for the healing energy and I am definitely taking your advice and staying positive. Thank you!
June 7th, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Good god, man, you’ve just had a string of bad luck this year! I admire your determination to keep on moving and beat this thing, and for that, I salute you! (Damian salutes too hard, accidentally karate chopping himself in the head, rendering himself unconscious)
June 8th, 2011 at 3:31 am
Never knew about gastroparesis, so that was an education. Sounds like it develops suddenly as an adult. Interesting *files info away, just in case*.
Glad you are focusing on your body and finding what works for you. Healing is the most important thing, so go ahead and slow down your pace- we know you are still in the parade.
June 8th, 2011 at 5:42 am
I love to come on here and see what you are doing and read your blog, but don’t feel obligated to push yourself too hard. I hope you get your health problems under control and cam get beck to being your energetic self. Take care man.
June 8th, 2011 at 11:32 am
John, sorry to hear you are not 100% and feeling well. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
June 9th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Damian,
Thanks, brother! I do my best to keep it in perspective, although it’s hard sometimes. I try to remember a lot of people are facing much tougher things, plus there’s been a blessing or two within these challenges. One of those blessings is the way I’ve been “coaxed” into reevaluating my priorities and connecting with what truly matters in life.
Careful with those self-damaging karate chops.
I appreciate the salute.
trickortreat,
Thank you so much for your wonderful support! I always love interacting with all of you guys and receiving your feedback — it feels like a big family here, but this recent outpouring of support is felt even deeper. Thank you for that.
Ethan,
I appreciate that, my friend. Doing what I do with SoS is a very therapeutic part of my recovery, but I promise to take it slowly. I’ve found the major component to this is psychological more than anything else. Though I’ve never been anorexic or bulimic, I’m guessing the mindset is similar when it comes to recovery. Trying to get acclimated and reacquainted with being comfortable with food again and how it should feel as you’re eating is a HUGE factor.
Adsila,
Thank you so much. I appreciate your gentle thoughts and loving prayers.
June 11th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
I just wanted to echo what everyone else has said and I will send good thoughts your way. I hope things get better soon.
June 12th, 2011 at 10:11 am
Herstrangekind,
So good to hear from you. Thank you very much! Hope you are doing fantastic.
June 12th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
I went online and googled gastroparesis and how it can relate to gall bladder problems, various treatments, what it’s like to live with the symptoms and what it takes to overcome it. I know that there is no better person out there who is as balanced and committed to doing right and as kind and unselfish and as strong as you are. If I was gastropareis, I would most certainly pick someone less strong than you to mess with. You have all the tools, all the strength and all the positive attitude it’ll take to beat this. I have complete faith in you, John! I know you’ll win!!
I can’t even begin to imagine how hard the last handful of months has been for you with the problems you’ve faced and conquered but I want you to know that I would never consider you posting about your health as a search for pity or even a downer. The exact opposite is true! I’m so grateful for your health updates be they good or bad. It gives us the sense of being included in your life and allows us to send good healing thoughts your way when you need them! Of course, I wish it was so different and you were pain and trouble free! I wish I could cut what you are going through in half and help shoulder what you are going through in a more meaningful way! I wish, I wish….. but you are such a strong man, much stronger than you know, you will beat this! And when you feel less than strong, less than good, we are here for you 100%!!!! Sending more gentle hugs and every good healing thought I can lay hands on!!!!!!!
June 14th, 2011 at 9:50 am
geez, I’ve never heard of this kind of ailment before. did it just come out of nowhere? at any rate, please take care of yourself! sounds like you have a terrific attitude and that’s half the battle. sending lots of hugs and good wishes!
June 14th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
It warms my heart to see so many people here supporting you.
Very well deserved.
Cheers!
June 15th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Camile,
How can I express the gratitude I’m feeling in something as simple as a comment for the wonderfully kind, supportive, loving intentions you’ve shared in what feels like so much more than a comment to me!? From the bottom of my heart I sincerely thank you for all the uplifting words and feelings you’ve shared. Though they went out in cyberspace, they certainly feel so very tangible; like a giant hug! Thank you, so much my friend.
I’ve recently been taking a step back and assessing everything now that the dust has settled from all the doctors visits, surgery, etc. and I honestly believe more than 90% of this is psychological. I’ve always had a nervous stomach and an extremely anxious, nervous disposition (even as a very young child) and my stomach’s been prone to many upsets over the years because of it. So no doubt my digestion has been a little on the slow side all my life, but my recent emotional state has hugely contributed to everything. Honestly, I believe if they scanned my stomach ten years ago, they would have found it was a little slow back then too, but I wasn’t quite as stressed out back then as I’ve been recently, so it was really no biggie when it came to eating.
I’ve been experimenting with my food lately and have proven to myself just how much the mind is involved in this process. Due to all the medical stuff I went through this year (major amounts of stress there), I sort of found myself relating to eating like someone who is anorexic or bulimic. It was a vicious cycle — the more stomach stuff I experienced and freaked out about, the more I was at the doctor’s office. The more I was at the doctor’s office, the more my stress increased and in turn I started shutting down when it came to eating — eventually developing a fear of eating and feeling food in my stomach.
It’s now time to put my foot down and show my mind who’s boss in this process. With the help and support of you guys and my family and continuing to gain my confidence back, I have no doubt I’ll beat this thing completely! Thank you again. You’re totally awesome!
pam morris,
Based on my past, I think I’ve always had a slower rate of digestion — it’s probably been there since childhood, but I feel a lot of recent stress and anxiety is what got me in the agitated state I’ve been in the last few months. I’ve been researching the effects stress has on the digestive tract and it’s extremely pronounced. Even as a kid I was always stressed out and a bundle of nerves, so I’m guessing that is what impacted my stomach.
Thank you so much for the wonderful well wishes!
The Frog Queen,
I feel the same way about the tremendous outpouring of support. You guys all inspire me to get better!
Thank you.
June 22nd, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Hang in there John and get well soon!
June 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 am
Thank you, Barry!