Category: Strength

Getting Ready for Round 2

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As I’m getting ready for the round 2 coiling procedure on my brain aneurysm remnant, I’m reminded after reading a brain aneurysm foundation post, about just how fortunate and blessed I am.

So, get ready, I’m going to count my blessings!

  • My initial rupture of this damn aneurysm didn’t kill me: Blessing #1
  • There was a local Dr. who came back from vacation to insert 16 coils into the aneurysm saving my life: Blessing #2
  • My then boyfriend (now husband) was by my side every day of the 20 days I was in the hospital, even driving back down to the hospital only a couple hours after he left…over an hours drive: Blessing #3
  • My rupture didn’t leave me with any deficits or loss of functions, so I was able to able to return to my job 3 months later: Blessing #4
  • I was able to enjoy four uninterrupted, annie-free years of working, living, gardening and loving life after my rupture: Blessing #5
  • I was married last year to my Maine Man, my angel, and my best friend who has continued to care for me on a daily basis and be so, so understanding and patient: Blessing #6
  • After losing our only Dr. who did coiling in the state, a new Dr. has arrived in the state who does both brain procedures, coiling and clipping: Blessing #7
  • Unfortunately, an issue has developed with my original ruptured aneurysm from 2006 and another smaller aneurysm was newly discovered, but, I KNOW about them and we can monitor and DO something about them before they rupture: Blessing #8
  • I’ll have coiling on Wednesday, by a Dr. who I have a tremendous amount of confidence in. My sister is flying in to be with my husband during the procedure: Blessing #9
  • My family, friends, co-workers and completed strangers who I have befriended on message boards are praying for me: Blessing #10
  • -If all goes well, I’ll be back home on Thursday and recovering nicely….hopefully Blessing #11!!

Drugs and Other Enemies

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Hey, I actually slept all night and didn’t have to do it sitting up. Although i think I DID sleep in the same position all night. Neck is very sore. I have the bean bag heated up and wrapped snugly around it.

My job today is to see how the of ALL of my new meds act together. I am now taking 5 pills a day. 3 of which are relatively new (Plavix, Aspirin & Cymbalta). I have discovered this morning that if I’m going to take that many at the same time, I need to eat a lot more at breakfast. I’m shaky and a tad disoriented…..but then I guess I’ve been that way the last six days anyway. Just still not sure how all of this is going to effect me and for how long. I felt pretty good last evening, but had a bad headache right before I went to bed.

I’m not in horrible pain this morning either, so that’s a good sign. My head feels woozy, but not pounding or throbbing and I’m just wicked tired…what else is new. Let’s hope these meds kick in quick, I can get everything regulated and get on with my life as it will be for now. I’m trying to get up and walk through the house as much as I can to keep things moving, but when I’m dizzy…probably not the wisest thing to do. LOL

It feels good to know that a lot of “stuff” I’ve been going through truly WAS withdrawel from taking the Provac cold turkey. Not the wisest thing to do I know, but none of the so-called medical professionals could give me a straight answer…or they could, but they chose not to respond to any of my calls. Better late than never, so I now have a script for Cymbalta and my system will now have to get used to that now. I only take those pills for PMS and for work stress, but without it, all hell could break loose!

At least my appetite has come back and I’m able to KEEP things down now. That was horrible and so exhausting. It’s been seven days, and I don’t think I’m doing too bad considering, but I’m not quite there yet.

Things To Do This Week

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Yes, this week has finally come.

Wednesday (16th) I will have more coils added to my brain aneurysm after it was discovered in January that the 16 platinum coils that were inserted back in 2006
when it ruptured were either compacting or the aneurysm was growing and blood was flowing back into it. Since it’s an aneurysm that has already ruptured
once, everyone felt it was important to get this taken care of sooner rather than later.

The 2nd smaller aneurysm will be monitored. Right now there doesn’t appear to be a risk of rupture with that one, so it’s a wait-and-see-what-it-does kind of a mode. It may never grow or need any treatment…or it may grow or rupture. Who knows! Ah, the lovely, complicated, wonderful brain!

The hope is that they’ll do the coiling, I’ll be in ICU possibly just overnight, and I’ll be released to go home the following day (St. Patrick’s Day!). And if all goes well, that should be the case.

I have a small collection of things to take with me to the hospital on Wednesday. My “Get-Better-Bear” Care Bear my sister sent me in 2006, my comfy clothes for the ride back home, and I’m taking my iPad with me to keep me occupied. I have synced up an entire season of The Dick Van Dyke show on NetFlix as well as some podcasts. I know I won’t get any sleep in the hospital…they truly aren’t restful, but they treat you VERY well at Maine Medical Center. I had 20 days in the hospital in 2006 to witness that.

I’m told I may be very tired for some time (possibly weeks) after the procedure and may have a headache after the coiling. I know my groin will be sore. If you’re not familiar with endovascular coiling, here is good explanation. It’s ironic to have brain surgery and your groin to be the incision, but that’s one of the beauties of having coiling verses the far more invasive and dangerous
clipping, where they open the skull and perform open brain surgery.

It’s still a procedure on your brain, however and one that is not without complications. I’m confident with my Dr. that he’ll do what needs to be done and do it well. I only plan to take four days off work.

I know I’m lucky and I’m blessed with each day I wake up Dave and our kitties. May the luck of the Irish be with me this week!

First Day of The Weekend

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I spent the first day of this weekend keeping my mind and body busy. Groceries was first on the list, and what a list it was! Thankfully, the weather was better today. Two hours later I was home and ready to cook!

I thought I’d try some freeze-ahead meals for Dave and I so neither one of us will have to worry about getting groceries or meal planning and cooking at the end of the week when I get home from the hospital.

So, I started with a treat for St.Patrick’s day, assuming I’ll be home like I’m supposed to be. I whipped up the Irish Beef Hand Pies from Martha Stewart. VERY easy to make and freeze. I hope they taste good. LOL

Next on the list was a comfort food dish recipe from Martha Stewart for Macaroni &
Cheese. I think this will hit the spot. After that I made some low-fat blueberry muffins (not from scratch, but from a mix).

THEN I made Dave and I dinner, which was Mustard-Braised Sausage & Potato Skillet. A very easy, one-dish meal I’ve made before.

Needless to say, I was pooped at the end of the day and we lose an hour of sleep tonight with the time change, so I’m sure I’ll be a useless lump on the couch tomorrow. But I sure feel good about what I accomplished today and I know we’ll both appreciate the pre-made meals later in the week when we need a good dinner.

Tomorrow I start the Plavix and Aspirin routine. I’m hoping my system handles the new MEDS okay.