August 2009~

Dear Journal~

Thought I'd update you on what has been going down with me.  Wanted my friends to know that I am still a part of this planet.  :)  (This is Gorilla, aka William Graves, by the way.)

I'm getting ready to go into high school.  In just a few weeks (three, in fact), I start my first trek into high school.  Nervous?  You bet!  I've already started stocking up on my required supplies; but finding clothes that actually fit my oversized body is an ongoing challenge; when I do, I have to pay out the nose!  It's ridiculous!!

Healthwise, I am still coping with my agromegaly, which is the name of the condition I have.  I have my good days and my bad; it all comes with the territory.  I still have to watch what I eat, make sure I get plenty of fluids, and don't get overheated, or else I could end up in the hospital again.  I also have to have monthly blood tests, to make sure I'm not trying to go into diabetes, which is something that can happen to me.

In addition, I have to take anti seizure medication; the last time I got into trouble, I had seizures, which is another thing that can happen.  As a result, I can't drive until I have been seizure free for a year or so.  Right now, though, I don't see that happening.  *heavy sigh*

I continue to get stares, comments from (well-meaning?) people.  When you see a kid my size, it's hard to forget.  I do know of a kid in New York who is taller than me:  in fact, he is 7 1/2" tall and outweighs me by a good 100-130 pounds.  I mean, this kid is built like a Mack truck:  he's like mega-huge!!

Kid's name is Goon.  Mom thinks that I would be good friends with him.  I don't know; I don't really relish the idea of writing to a complete stranger, but mom, she thinks it would be good. 

Why is it that whenever a parent suggests something, it's always good for you??  I will never understand parents sometimes!

Maybe Goon needs an attitude shakeup or maybe he's lonely, but mom thinks that it would do us both good if we got in contact with one another.

Since my last entry, I haven't really had any hospital scares; I pray it continues.  I have been really careful with what I eat or do.  I am already in danger of getting diabetes or any number of problems because of my whacked out (nonexistent) thyroid; don't need any more fuel to the fire, ya know??

Don't want to do anything stupid to endanger my health, so I just lay low, try to get by as best as I can.  It's not easy, but I think I do pretty good, all things considering.

I have been writing to a kid who lives here in Nashville; he has muscular dystrophy.  He's ventilator-dependent and has lost all ability to walk.  He's really in sad shape; however, the attitude this kid possesses is nothing short of extraordinary.  His name's Johnny (Johnathon), and he's sixteen, one year older than me.  We've been writing to each other for about a month now, and he seems to be very friendly.  Maybe one day we'll meet face to face.

I think I might have seen him:  he goes to our church.  Christ Community Assembly of God.  He has like a million brothers and sisters, and his parents are busy, busy, busy!  The mother's short (only like 4 1/2' tall), while dad is scraping the ceiling at nearly seven feet tall:  he's my height.  They are an incredible family; I've never seen anyone quite like them!

I just never got around to saying hi to Johnny.  Maybe it's 'cause I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing to him, hurt his feelings:  he seems to be a very sensitive soul, and I don't want to injure his spirit.  So I just relent and write to him instead.  Maybe one day I will work up the courage, look past the vent tube and his electric wheelchair, and see him for the great guy he seems to be. 

It's worth a shot!  :)

Well, sorry if this isn't much, but I just got up not even ten minutes ago; my brain's still in a coma.  LOL  If I come out sounding totally lame, please forgive me.  I'm not awake yet!  LOL  I will go now; have to get some water so I can take my thyroid pill, then scare up something to eat, then decide what I am going to do with my happy self during the day.  *Sighh*  Until then, this is the Gorilla signing off; I will write again another time.  Take care and God bless!

~Love, your friend, William (aka "Gorilla").  :)

*To be continued.*