Crammed

Ever have one of those days where your brain just feels...crammed? My brain is so busy and filled with who knows what, I feel like it's the angry stock market and tons of people are screaming buy buy sell sell! It's pretty dizzying...

I wonder if it's "a case of the Mondays". (200 points for anyone who knows what movie that's from).
Think I'll take 5 minutes, close my eyes and try to get all that noise out. Time to breathe.

Beautiful Way To Discuss Strokes With Kids

When Grandpa Comes Home
I came across this book about how to talk to children about strokes while doing some research on trials for new drugs and prevention.  It is such a great way to help children understand what's going on. The character of Grandpa is brought home after suffering a stroke and stays with his daughter, son, and granddaughter, Jane. It goes through Jane and Grandpa's frustrations with the adjustment of living with a stroke, not only with the patient but with the family.  You can read it online. 

I love it! What a creative way to help others understand what stroke does!

Did You Know?

On an average, every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke.

Strokes can—and do—occur at ANY age. Nearly one quarter of strokes occur in people under the age of 65.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Over 143,579 people die each year from stroke in the United States.


*www.strokecenter.org

Today's Word Is...

ANTITHROMBIN!

Antithrombin is a small itty bitty protein molecule that inactivates several enzymes of the coagulation system. (Things that help clot your blood-*cue 10,000 Pyramid music)

Anthithrombin's inactivation increases in the presence of Heparin (The thing I was on before the Warfarin aka Coumadin) Fun fact:  It can be made from goat's milk...ew Why am I bringing this up? Well, remember those results I was waiting for from the Hematologist and from the turkey waddle receptionist? Well, after yet another call from me to her, I finally got a call back and got my test results.

Everything in terms of blood is pretty rockin except for my antithrombin.  A normal range is 80% and I am just on the cusp of that with a number of 78%.  This sucks because that means I may be naturally prone to clots and that this stroke was just waiting to happen. My doc is going to run the test again in two weeks because if it goes down any further, there is a very good chance, mm, a very crappy chance, that I may have to go back on Warfarin....and I can't do that. I don't think I can physically do that.  That would mean more Lovenox shots and more of feeling like a zombie and NO GREEN FOODS!

That's like having to go back to jail...no way. So, say a small what up to whoever you pray to for me that I won't have to do this because I don't think I have it in me to do that.

Hematologist Results

I still haven't gotten my blood test results from the Hematologist and it's been 3 weeks. Kind of ridiculous, right?

I called the office twice and spoke to one of the receptionists who, I swear, sounds like a turkey. Seriously, whenever she talks, all I hear is "waddle waddle waddle". I know I'm not the only one thinking this either. I voicenoted her without her knowing and sent it to a friend of mine and she totally agrees. The woman sounds like a straight turkey. Whenever I go there I always refer to her as such.  It has never occured to me to ask what her name is, I like Turkey Lurkey just fine.

Anywho, no results yet.  Just thought I'd keep you guys posted. Hope everyone is having a great day!

Be well!

I Feel Like The Weather

Dark and gross.

I am big into family, maybe because I don't have any brothers or sisters. That said, when I was recovering, I thought I would hear from certain people and I didn't...that hurt.  I'm telling you, all it takes is for one incident to happen to see who's really there for you.  I'm so grateful and touched by everyone who I've received emails, texts and phonecalls from especially because they didn't have to do that. If not for social media sites, we wouldn't know what was going on in each other's lives.  A phonecall? What is that? That's one of the reasons I love my bff. We still send cards. Sounds dumb I know but snail mail is really great.  Sometimes our lives get so busy, we don't hear speak to each other on the phone for days or 2 weeks but when that happens, I get a card from her or she gets a card from me.  It's the greatest thing ever.  We've been doing this ritual for over 11 years. It's a great little way to say hey I'm here.

We only see or hear from certain friend or family when there is a wedding or funeral.  That is awful...people always say, "let's not always meet like this" but does anyone actually mean or stick with that? I have been saying since this has happend that I am going to reach out more and try my best to keep in touch with people I wouldn't normally keep in touch with because life is short. I extend my hand and if you don't take it, then I know, that's your test.

Wow. I'm sorry for the Debbie Downer post today but I was really irked by this weekend. Anyway, back to the bright side of things.  By you not reaching out or keeping in touch, you don't have a place in my life, I have to let you go. As T.D. Jakes says:

"There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone. When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left...Let them go."

I like to say that to myself when I am feeling like this.  It really puts things into perspective.

Haha Psych....

So that check I got in the mail is to pay ANOTHER bill headed my way. The insurance company just wanted to send it to me first. :(

Boo..

Oh well, at least I got a tax refund haha