Category Archives: medical issues

December 2011

Posted on by

santa border

Today, this second Sunday in December, was difficult to get through. At the same time, it has been a joyous day! The love of my life suffered a stroke that should have taken his life, but through the grace of God and the miracles of modern medicine he is still by my side and we are closer now than ever before. Enjoy and make the most out of life because you NEVER know when you will be called to glory. Time is truly a precious gift from God. Barry and I have both been through a lot since 2009, but we are still here and still going strong.

Last year, at around 8:30am, Barry was assisting one of our residents with his morning care. The resident called for me to come quick. I got in the room and Barry said in a funny voice, “Honey, I can’t get up, help.” I leaned over to grab his arm, when I realized he couldn’t grasp my arm, I quickly told him to stay put and not to move. The thought running through my head, was “‘you’re the  strong one, Barry….You cannot be having a stroke!” I knew he was, but that thought would not leave my head. I called 911, checked on him again and went to get his medicines.

Gwinnett County EMS was on top of it that day, they were there in a flash and my heart sank as I watched them drive off with my sweety. I knew I’d never be able to drive, so I had called my sister to give me a ride. She was 20 minutes away. She made it in record time. My head was racing with all sorts of things that I could not shake. I was crying then as I am crying now telling this story. The local ER was on the ball and had Barry ready for transfer when we arrived, Kris and I attempted to keep up with the ambulance, which was impossible, so we decided to be safe. At the next hospital, Barry was already on the table having the “Mercy” procedure performed. True to the doctors words, Barry was regaining use of his left side within 12 hours.  

One year ago, I got the opportunity to fall in love with my soul mate all over again. The stroke took Barry’s filter away. He’s adorable and we are enjoying rediscovering each other all over again. I love him dearly and do not know what I’d do without him.

santa border

 

This really happened….

Posted on by

 

Anyone keeping up with us is aware that Barry and I had to close our business. We were not able to handle the patient care once Barry had the stroke. I was attempting to keep the business going with part-time help, but once we both were incapacitated to a certain point, we had to make the tough decision of closing. 

We decided to tell the resident’s on an outing. It will be an outing neither of us will ever forget. We went to Wendy’s for burgers. Our staff person and I sat the residents down and started numerous trips back and forth to collect napkins, ketchup, forks, salt and pepper. Barry went to place the order. Barry got my attention and pointed toward the tables. 

When I turned around, two of our four residents had opened their straws and were sipping ketchup from the little souffle cups Wendy’s supplies for ketchup. Everyone in the restaurant had turned and were stating at these two. What do you say? What do you do? I walked over to the table, sat down and quietly asked them to put the cups down. I told them their meal was being prepared, to have a little patience. They thought that was part of their meal. It was, but it didn’t need a straw……

The human brain is an incredible, as well as, strange organ. Through my years of nursing, I have witnessed many outrageous and many marvelous things. After 20 + years of nursing, I never would have put myself in this situation, but I can understand/sympathize with things I have witnessed over the years now. This brain tumor has truly opened my eyes to the world around me!

 

 

 

Things I can’t do anything about

Posted on by

Sticking with the roller coaster theme, I guess it is time for another ride. Life appears to slow down and let you relax and then you remember or life smacks you with something else you have no control over:

1. having a brain tumor

2. having a rare genetic disorder that wrecks havoc on your body daily.

2. what is going to happen next.

3. your social life involves more medical professionals than actual friends.

4. With Cowden’s Syndrome, you never know what body part will go nuts next.

5. what doctors do with the list of medication they take from you at every visit. Do they ever look at it?

5. What reaction to the new medication the doctor puts you on

6. which doctor’s office your reaction to medicine will land you in

7. where you’ll end up after having a test to determine the cause of a new issue

8. what will come out of your husbands mouth at any time

9. what your mother will lose next

10. when your family will realize you are still inside a body that does not function properly

11. when your mother will stop looking at you as if it is the last time she’ll see you

12. whether your eyes will function properly when you wake up

This list could go on and on, these are just the ones that have frustrated me, beyond my limits, lately. I’m hoping the tides turn soon.

Brain Tumor Support Group

Posted on by

 

The first Thursday of every month is good for our spirits, and has truly helped Barry in finding the “New” him. The fellowship with people, who are dealing with more than any one person should ever have to. It is a great relief to not feel alone in this battle we are trekking through.

The staff that run the group are kind, loving and compassionate. They do a fabulous job to keep us informed on new research and news out there about research. They plan very informative programs for us on everything from sex to legal issues. They have focused on Holiday Stress the last few meetings, very helpful.

What next, part 2……..

Posted on by

 

Well, echo scheduled for next week. Had blood work drawn at office. Hopefully, all is well, my heart just doesn’t like what my neurologist is doing to my body. My body doesn’t like taking a bunch of pills, I always manage some form of adverse reaction to medication changes. Life goes on, time will tell (and the tests too, of course). One day at a time, the only way to go….It’s in God’s hands

What next….

Posted on by

Life gets calm, but busy……then my heart heads into the haywire department again. I have too much going on for this to start happening now. It’s Christmastime, I wanna enjoy it, but we are getting ready to head to the cardiologist. My life is a never ending roller coaster that doesn’t want to let me off………

“New” Barry Moments

Posted on by

1. While at a training session, the discussion was how to get a blog to send out an email to a smart phone when new topic has been posted, Barry commented to a colleague “I guess he needs to get a smarter phone.”

2. On the ride home from this session, he saw a semi- truck with “air-equipped ride” on the side, he said the more he looked around, he realized that all cars are “air-equipped”. The tires are full of air, technically making all rides “air-equipped”.

The brain is a strange and mysterious organ………….

INR confusion

Posted on by

Okay, now…..we are a week away from the one year anniversary of Barry’s stroke, yet his INR remains in an uproar. I just do not get it, Barry and I are eating exactly the way the want him to on coumadin, getting his blood work done  exactly how we are supposed to. His INR swings back and forth more than my mothers moods. I’m terrified he’ll have another stroke and we won’t be as lucky as we were last time, but I realize that is in God’s hands and I shouldn’t worry.   

What are we doing wrong? Is his body still healing and will regulate when it’s ready?  Is this in God’s plan and we just need the wisdom and patience to deal with it? I feel at times like it is my fault because I haven’t planned a meal correctly. Then I remember i can’t make him eat. I think I just need to relax and enjoy each precious moment we have together. We both have our own health worries and we are in the Lord’s hands. He is in control and I need to figure out how to kick worry to the curb.

More good news…..

Posted on by

After 3 rounds of treatment for thyroid cancer, it is nice to get a good report from blood work and the endocrinologist, thyroglobulin level has remained non-existent for  6 months now. Can we say yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yet or do I need to weight a year? I’m choosing yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh for now. I’ll worry about it again in 3 months.

Someone make me sleepy, please!!!

Posted on by

Here I sit, wide unable to turn my head off again. Barry is sound asleep in his recliner, Miss Maggie is wiped out on the sofa,  while I sit here envious of the two of them. I guess I’m just so worn out from the holiday. Go figure….

Guess what? If I do not get this rest thing figured out soon, I’m gonna be out of luck. The Christmas rush, of running around, starts Saturday. We’ll be off and running again. By the time Christmas actually gets here, I won’t be able to function. My number one resolution for the New Year is going to be:

1.Get appropriate sleep!

2. Listen to my body.

I’ll finish that list when I am not exhausted. One good thing that happened today, we got the exercise equipment set up and I was able to start my routine again. That will perk me up and help with sleeping, hopefully. Everyone get a good nights sleep and have a great day tomorrow. I intend too. Exhausted or not, every day is a precious gift not to be squandered.