Birthday Balancing - Gastroparesis (Strikes Again)

Hey Hey Hey.... 

It's a 22 year old now talking to you! Does that make me more mature now I'm a year older? 

HAHAHAHA Doubtful! 

I may be physically paying for the last few days now, but they sure were worth it! Our birthday only comes round once a year and I was going to make sure I had fun for my birthday. Gastroparesis can suck my ding dong to be polite! 

They even got the Spice Girls in there .... KINDA!

I've had a fun-filled 4 days of birthday goodness starting by going to see the #NoFilterShow with one of my bestest friends who lives all the way over in Scotland. It starred 3 hilarious Youtubers who I LOVE; Grace Helbig, Hannah Hart & Mamrie Hart. They created a comedy show and were kind enough to bring it over to the UK just in time for my birthday week. The show was absolutely hilarious and my cheeks and stomach were killing by the end of it. Definitely a good work out and they say laughing is the best exercise... don't they? I filmed the whole thing without even realising it because I was too busy wetting myself laughing which I'm uploading (or maybe even uploaded by the time you read this - who knows with Youtube Uploads haha) to Youtube. So if you would like to watch their London #NoFilterShow then head over to my Youtube channel by clicking HERE. 

"AIR" - I think we went on this about 4 times?

Next up was 2 days at Alton Towers Theme Park. I'd never been before and had wanted to for ages as I am an adrenaline junky! My best friend took me for part of my birthday present. She'd booked the hotel, the park tickets and even did the two and a half hour drive whilst I sat there half asleep from the night before. How lucky am I?! Although the weather was pretty darn - well.... shitty to be quite honest, we didn't let it stop us having an awesome time. Saying that, I must tell you that going on upside down or fast roller coasters whilst it is pouring with rain does feel a bit like you have daggers going into your eyes at times! OWCH! Weather aside, we had an amazing time and got on all the rides we did without almost any queues which was even better as I am VERY impatient. We got some hilarious pictures and have some amazing memories from it! I also have some very sore legs from it as Alton Towers seemed to be a very large park that was VERY hilly. There were definitely more hills than flat land which is great exercise but leads to a very achey Sophie. At least I walked off all those donuts I may or may not have eaten over the two days ;) Whoops. My tummy behaved itself relatively well which was the best birthday gift I could have asked for.

"THE SMILER" - It is a pretty epic ride thats for sure :)  

"NEMESIS" - one of my favourite rides for sure!!!

We came back just in time for my actual birthday! My birthday consisted of opening presents, shopping, eating donuts, eating frozen yoghurt, eating pizza and eating more donuts. I think I may have a donut problem. I have eaten and treated myself to way too much food and none of it being healthy or low in fat. Before anyone says anything like you don't need to lose weight... I am fully aware of that and don't look at fat content to make me slimmer but it is because fatty foods take longer to digest and therefore tend to block my inside up and cause more pain! But it was my birthday ... and I like donuts! My mum and I went shopping to the Stratford Westfield Shopping Centre to spend birthday money I was given and well... who am I kidding... we are female and do not need an excuse to go shopping! We spend around 5 hours wondering the shops and had nice girly time. I did very well in the end and got some nice things to go with all the amazing generous gifts I received! We tried crazy hats on and went crazy on the PinkBerry Frozen Yoghurt toppings. *Mouth watering just thinking about it*. I ate the whole pot and am still claiming that there was a hole in the bottom of it and it disappeared before our eyes.... my mum isn't buying it and reckons I pigged out. Then to finish the evening off, my brother created a lil' something for me. I have never particularly liked birthday cakes (yes, I know, I'm weird) even before all my health rubbish so he made something just for me out of a plain sugary donut I had bought back from Alton Towers. He added some jam and some icing sugar with a candle and BAMM..... my very own donacake? Or in English, a Donut Cake. That baby slid down very nicely may I add :P! 

The Dog Has NO Chance!! 

Thank him above, my stomach behaved pretty well for the most part over my birthday weekend/days! Now, I will suffer the consequences knowing that I had a pretty fantabulous birthday and spent it with the ones I love. What more could I ask for? Well, besides a nice big diamond but you know... I'll let that one slide this year :P 

On a serious note, even though I am most certainly suffering now with a very achey body, painful stomach and exhaustion, I had a really good time and am proud that I managed to walk round all the parks and then the shops. I had a great time and am very grateful for everything I received. As for Gastroparesis, I believe I won this battle so it can shove it where the sun don't shine! :D

I have an appointment with my pain specialist coming up this week so I'm hoping he has some sort of plan because although I did have a fab time, I am in a lot of pain now and struggling to eat a single thing now that every things builds back up. I know I ate all the wrong things and maybe too much and just had adrenaline making it feel like I wasn't in as much pain as I was, but I can't deal with this pain all the time. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't in anywhere near as much pain as I can be at times, but the pain was certainly there and did get quite bad at times. I was always thinking in my mind of what the consequences would be and trying to balance out everything in order to try and keep myself stable and not drop.

I'm trying to be more fit and active. Trying being the key word mind you. All the walking may have made me exhausted and achey, but it certainly helped my tummy when I did eat. Or at least I think it did. It may have been just a good period and luck or it may actually help the digestive system because of gravity and all that jazz. So, I've been doing some exercises and right after posting this will be going on a nice long walk with the dog and my bestie. I even did a handstand today!! Don't ask! I am most probably going to pay for this A LOT but I used to love dog walks and gymnastics and almost joined a cheerleading group twice. I love cheerleading and would love to join a group so that is my target. All be it potentially well out the question but I really want to so.. tummy... screw you. I don't mean cheerleading like 'give me an A.. A', I mean like the full on proper American flips and stunts and all that good stuff. I know, I know.... I'm mad and probably being totally unrealistic but it's good to set targets right? Besides, we only live once!!

Rightio, just before I go for now, I want to say a huge thank you for my family, my bestest friend and to everyone who made my birthday special. Thank you for the generous gifts and even just for the texts or Facebook comments wishing me a Happy Birthday because it means a lot that you would take the time to do it for me. 

My question for the post is, are you an adrenaline junkie and if so, what gets your adrenaline going?

Stay Strong

<3