Goodbye 2012

I love New Year's Eve. Ok, that's something I'm sure many say but I truly do! The 30th is just as exciting to me. Something is just in the air, you can smell it. People turn in early on the 30th. The streets are quiet, there's a stillness in the city and a kind of magic that surrounds everyone. Now, I'm not one for partying on the Eve (unless I'm in Grenada!) That's not the reason I love today. It's an opportunity to reminisce about my year...the parts I can remember, and look forward to being an even better, even healthier person. In a way, I feel like I'm on top of the world.

When I was younger, I always watched the New Year's Twilight Zone marathon. I was obsessed! There was little to do for a teenager in the city on New Year's Eve so I just watched TV until 2:00am and listening to everyone outside celebrate with champagne and confetti. Right at 11:59pm, I would turn on the countdown and turn the volume all the way down and just listen to everyone outside. Joy would radiate and you could feel it through the concrete walls of apartment buildings and across the world. Again, magical. 

Sure, dressing up and dolling up is fun but on a day like today, I much prefer to enjoy the last day of my memorable 2012 in pajamas, wrapped in a blanket watching old television shows curled up with my dog slowly drifting off to sleep with the sounds of my city in the background.

Here's to a happy healthy 2013 and wishing you all the same!

Taping Of The Takeaway With John Hockenberry

Yesterday afternoon, I had the privilege of being interviewed by the legendary John Hockenberry for his show, The Takeaway.  He is doing an hour long special on the brain the day after Christmas.  I am so excited that I got to be a part of it! I was so nervous and am super glad I didn't stutter. Thank you stroke brain. 

John asked me one question in particular that is still with me today. He asked if my stroke brain had a name and I just realized, it doesn't have one. I've named other body parts. For example, the jiggly bit that is my stomach is named Esther. My booty is named Judy so why shouldn't my stroke brain have a name? Normally, I just talk to her but don't address her. Wow, that is rude! Mm, what should I name her? Do you guys have any ideas? 

Another thing I am excited about is the wealth of knowledge that is going to be featured in this special on the brain. Scientists know about the brain but don't KNOW about the brain. They are tapped into it but are still learning as they go. I for one am giddy over hearing of other experiences people have had with their brain injuries. It really feels like I'm part of this community. Go strokies!

The special on the brain will be at 9:00am on December 26th.

For more information on The Takeaway, click here

A listing of stations where you can listen to December 26th's show is here

Wait, I Know You!!

So last night I attended a Beres Hammond concert at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn. It was my first time at the new arena and I was like a deer in headlights with all that was going on around me. Thanks to my cousin, I had a backstage pass and watched comfortably next to the sound booth.

As I listened to the smooth sounds of sweet Reggae coming from this man's lips, I kept staring at the cameraman on stage. On a break, he looked at me and gave me the head nod which I thought was polite. I smiled but I gave him that polite, I don't know you grin. I will chalk my actions up to being tired from the trip back home from the Bahamas and not getting enough rest. Anyway, about a half hour later, the cameraman's name came to mind. I know this guy, I thought. Suddenly all the details came flooding back and I felt so embarrassed. I immediately texted him apologizing. This wasn't someone I just met for one day. I knew this man. My face was red. I can't believe it took me half an hour to remember his name and everything about him. It was as though my brain needed a re-boot to scan all its files quickly and thoroughly. Apparently right before that, I was running on dial up! Just another small reminder of what once was.

But  I guess it is one step in the positive direction. At least I don't think everyone's name is Brian anymore. :)

Docket 32357 Online Screening!

Hot off the plane from the Bahamas where the short film I wrote, Docket 32357, was screened, I'm already posting about another screening BUT this is someone everyone no matter where you are, can check out.

We have the privilege of screening online at the International Black Film Festival of Nashville on Saturday, December 15th from 11:00am-11:00pm. The film is 14 minutes long so anyone can check it out when they have a breather and at $5 a ticket, it's a steal.

The link to view is here Docket 32357 Nashville!

"Boy, you forget something new every day, don't you?"-Sophia The Golden Girls

With my 6 month tune up behind me, I can now look to the next 6 months with hope. My doctor is funny. She asked me what I had been up to and if I had seen the doctor. I said I was avoiding the doctor. She said oh ok, and wrote "Avoiding the doctor" in big bold print on my file. Ha! It was all in good fun though. She was just as happy as I am that things have been progressing nicely. I did have concerns over headaches I have been having due to usual stresses in life and with school but the good news is that I can finally go back to taking Advil for my migraines! I wasn't allowed to take it before but having the green light makes me super glad. As of right now, I was treating my headaches with just green tea and dark chocolate, you know, for the caffeine fix. I am still skeptical of taking pills because of you know but just knowing I have the option to take something else is a small comfort.

We are just waiting on my D-Dimer results to give me the ok. Those results should be to me in 2 weeks. I did mention the numbness I have on my right side and the doc said just what I thought, that I have the residual effects of the stroke. My brain and the nerve endings aren't gelling the way they used to I guess but I just look at it as a battle wound. Some people have scars on the outside, mine are on the inside. She asked if I had this last winter and I couldn't recall if I did. Stroke joke. She laughed knowing full well that I may not remember certain things last winter.

All in all, a good appointment. Here's to good blood results in two weeks!

My Six Month Tune Up

Tomorrow morning I have an appointment with my Hematologist. It's my six month check up tune up make sure everything is a-ok blood work up appointment. I always get such a kick out of going to that office. The patients there are more colorful than anyone I've encountered. All have at least 2 debilitating diseases but are in the best of spirits. The last time I went, I was getting my blood work done and an elderly man was getting his done next to me. He just looked at me and said "I guess we're racing." We laughed and made some small talk as I got my 6 tubes filled. He went on to tell me that he had a slew of cancers but didn't seem to down about it. That made me smile. I'm glad he was having a good day and a good outlook.

It's hard to get down about things that seem so inconsequential when you really think about how you have you health. Who knows, maybe tomorrow, I'll bring some candy for the oldies waiting to get their blood drawn since they seem to offer it to me whenever I'm there. What is it with older folks and candy? Perhaps I'll find the answer tomorrow :)