Category Archives: medical issues

Flashback

Posted on by

There are a  few things that I have to do to ensure I function properly during the day.

1. Get my rest. Most important.

2. Do my exercises daily.

3. Drink plenty of fluids. To flush my system.

Number one  tends to be the most important of all, due to the fact that my body goes haywire without it. If I am tired, my eyes do not work correctly; I have trouble walking; I’m grumpy and a bit hard to live with. Last night proved my point. Thanksgiving really did me in.

On the drive home last night, I experienced an extremely unpleasant side effect, from the craniotomy, that I haven’t had to deal with since May 2009.  I was a passenger in the front seat of the van, watching the Christmas lights go by that people have managed to get up already.

Suddenly the car in front of us appeared to drive onto the sidewalk and up a telephone pole. I then realized that every car in front of us was doing the same thing. I told Barry what was happening and he suggested laying my head back and closing my eyes for a few minutes. His suggestion worked, after a 10 minute power nap, my eyes were able to focus and I got back to enjoying the scenery.

Double vision is not a fun to deal with, but I have to admit, seeing the cars go bonkers and driving up the sidewalks was a bit amusing. Remembering wearing an eye patch for 6 months, brought me quickly back to reality. That was NOT fun to deal with. An eye patch adds absolutely nothing for the way you look, unless you are Jonny Depp.

Although the holiday season is upon us, I have to make myself listen to my body. I do not like backtracking. I think I’ll increase my eye exercises a bit to ward off any weakness popping up. I will not give my eyesight up willingly. If it is meant to go, I’ll deal with it. Otherwise, I’ll be fighting it every step of the way!!!

The Magic Door…….another “New” Barry moment…….I love that man……

Posted on by

Okie Dokie, here goes…….While out running a few errands, we ended up at a local Jewelry store. An extremely nice,  older blonde salesperson was assisting us. She headed into a door into the back  of the store. A few seconds later, a very attractive, 20+ year younger lady emerged…….Barry looked at me and said ” Hurry, let’s get through that door, maybe it will work on us!”  A  few seconds later, the other salesperson re-emerged, bursting his bubble.

Would it not be wonderful if life were only that easy. He is just so cute with that filter-less head of his at times. Wouldn’t we all love to erase 20 years, by merely walking through a door? With everything we have been through since 2009, I’m not sure I’d want to erase any of the last  10 years. Of course, there are parts of it I’d love to forget, but I wouldn’t want to lose a moment.

In that period of time, along with the bad stuff, there have been several incredible changes in both of our lives. Barry and I met, we were getting to know one another, Barry proposed, we got married, we built our home, we started a successful business, I turned 40 and Barry turned 50 and we found our fabulous puppy dog (unfortunately, after losing another sweet dog).

If the past 20 years were gone, would any of that have happened? Back then, we’d both be newly divorced, or close to it and life was kinda miserable. We hadn’t found each other yet or at that time I’m not sure either of us was interested in another serious relationship.

Even though this post started with a ‘New” Barry moment, it really made me think about a few things. Even when life isn’t going so well, stop and think, “Would you really change a thing?” When all you appear to be getting out of life is lemons, take a closer look. Along with the bad, there is always something good.Don’t let the temptation get in your way, step back and take a look at the big picture. You might like what you see, more than you think…….

God has a plan for all of us, are you sure you want to mess with it?

Zombie land or Medication Haze? Where am I?

Posted on by

I haven’t felt right all week and then it hit me, it has to be the new drug I’m on. There is that period of adjustment you go through, when the drug is getting in your system and making things all crazy inside. The next day is usually a little better. Not this time, I have felt like the “walking dead” for a week now. My head feels all spacey, I do not respond to anything quickly, and it is like my emotions have disappeared, and I am living life in “slow-motion”. Really strange feeling. I called the doctor and there answer was, “give it time, your body will adjust”. It seems like my favorite word “TIME”, is creeping back into my life slowly.

I have always been incredibly sensitive to medications. I do not partake in alcohol consumption and I have never touched an illegal drug. Tylenol makes me sleepy and I turn into a comedian when drinking, so I avoid both. Just like peanuts, I’m allergic. The other is just not legal! I am a good southern girl, I have to keep my reputation clean.

So, my plan is to give the haze a few more daze……If the fog does not clear, I’ll call the doc……..

I feel like I need to write, but not sure what to say….I promise not to ramble….

Posted on by

Birthday was totally awesome. As usual my husband is a total nut, but he made the day memorable…..I never cared much for birthdays, but they seem to be more important lately. I felt all giddy inside, silly……but  I did.

They (meaning one of my good doctors) have messed with my medications again, trying to improve my short term memory. The first drug threw me into an arrhythmia that had me in the ER. Found out it was an interaction with another drug causing the problem. Apparently doctors do not always check the meds you are on before prescribing drugs that do not play together well in your body.  It hasn’t totally straightened out yet, but is better. I am not sure why I feel the way I do, but it has to be related to change in medication. I am afraid I’ll ramble, let me just do this later…..

God lead me to a special person….

Posted on by

In my heart, I truly believe that God brought Chug Heather (as my hubby calls her) into my life. He calls her that because of her coloscopy post where she talked about, “Just chug it”.

I was doing a random search on brain tumors when I found the website “brain tumor buddies”. On the page, I found the link to Brain Tumor Thursdays, with the latest post by a lady named Heather. Even bigger coincidence, she had the same problem tumor I had, a nasty thing called a gangliocytoma. Along with this lovely tumor comes a diagnosis of Cowden’s Syndrome (an extremely rare genetic disorder).

Don’t get me wrong, all of my doctor’s, nurses and the other staff I have dealt with have been wonderful, but finding Heather was such a thrill. I could actually finally talk to someone who understands. I had this enormous feeling of relief knowing I wasn’t alone in LDD and Cowden’s Syndrome nightmare. It was truly wonderful when I discovered she would talk to me. The internet is a wonderful tool. Heather and I would never have met if not for the web. I’m on the East Coast, she is on the west coast. The closest I have ever gotten to the west coast is Nevada.

Heather picked the perfect name for her blog, HopeforHeather. Heather brought hope back into my life. She has encouraged me to hang in there, she helped me organize my blog and taught me a few things about WordPress. She is also helping me with another project I’m working on. I think all I have done for her is confusion.

This post describes why I feel God lead me to her. I prayed for answers and someone to talk to that could understand and I discover this west young woman with a huge heart.

Thank you, Heather, you have truly been a Godsend. I hope you are having a bless week. Knowing you are out there, makes each of my days a little brighter. Barry says hello and thank you for taking some pressure off him.

Good News, Good News….I am cancer free…..

Posted on by

I hate to post great news when a good friend is feeling low about her news……I’m just thrilled to finally have something good about my health. I’ve been quiet about my health issues lately, due to feeling like crapola, I am feeling much better (especially today). But I cannot hold my happiness in any longer.

I received my colonoscopy results, as well as had a mammogram with an immediate report today. Although there are things follow-up needs to be done on, I AM CANCER FREE¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I totally understand that the rest of my life is going to be follow-up and preventative care. I have learned I can live with that. My worries are gone for the moment, though. I am cancer-free………

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and support. Most o all,  thanks to the good Lord above. THANK YOU!!!!

INR frustrations

Posted on by

Since the heart valve surgery, Barry has had to keep track blood clotting factor. Along with that comes dietary restrictions and a lot of trips to a local lab. Since the stroke, he has really had to keep a close watch over it. We are following the diet to a ‘T’ and his see-saws every week. He now has the machine to do home testing, but the test strips do not work half the time and he ends up at the lab anyhow. He hates sticking himself, but it would be so convenient if it worked well.

I know the machine is new and bugs need to be worked out. It is just so frustrating for him, when he doesn’t need to get frustrated. I try to be supportive when I’d love to smash the silly machine against the wall. I do my best to keep my on/off switch in the off position…..

Time

Posted on by

******This is a re-blog. I felt it was appropriate to post it again, cuz that old dislike is the word ‘Time’ is coming out again. I have something go wrong and I feel like crap-ola. All the doctor’s office can say is give it time, they will come in. I truly do not like being in this position. One thing has changed since I wrote this, I have been reminded that I am not supposed to worry about things. I need to put it in God’s hands, he is in control. So much has gone on since 2009, I had kinda forgotten that huge fact. I am actually beginning to feel more at ease about my illness. I do not like getting worse, but I have to remember, I’m just getting closer to him. Honestly, being able to give a little of this worry up is wonderful! I’m loving the peace!*****************************************

I learned to hate that word several years ago. When you are healing after anything to do with the brain, everyone’s favorite thing to say is ” Time, just give it time.”. I do not know about anyone else, but both Barry and I can be a tad impatient. Time is a word impatient people can’t stand.

I have to admit that I enjoyed paying Barry back with a few time comments. You have to undestand my husband’s quirky sense of humor. I know he thouroughly enjoyed telling me “Give it time.”. He smiled and giggled a little too much after saying it. I turned it around and now use it on him just a little. I tried to hide my snickering.

Ok, well down to the news I need to share. My visit to neuro-oncologist was quite informative. He gave us more information than we have ever received from other doctors. He confirmed that I do have Cowden’s Syndrome. With my medical history, he doesn’t feel the blood test is neceessary. He is scheduling an MRI of the brain and a full body PET Scan. He says he hopes they are both negative, but to be prepared for the possibility. Said it could be as simple as the thyroid cancer not being totally removed or something else manifesting in the neurological symptoms that have been poppng up. Here we go again with that word, TIME! Barry and I are praying and giving it to God. If it’s meant to be……….