An Ode To The Color Yellow

at 03/04/10 4:44AM *
Yellow, yellow
Such a fellow
Like the sun
So much fun

Daffodils
And duck bills
Corn on the cob
Sideshow Bob

Bumblebees
And canaries
Taxicabs
It's far from drab

There is one thing
Now that it's Spring
That makes me sick
And that right quick

It makes me wheeze
It makes me sneeze
What has befallen
Is yellow pollen

© Heather Whitehead 2010
  • cyber_space_cadet
    What a nice ode! :)
    by cyber_space_cadet at 03/04/10 8:12AM
  • friedaj
    Just needs one more verse about sunshine.
    by friedaj at 03/04/10 8:35AM
  • friedaj
    I am not a poet but that is cute.
    by friedaj at 03/04/10 8:35AM
  • textilet
    It is pretty annoying, isn't it?
    by textilet at 03/04/10 3:53PM
  • textilet
    May I share this with my son? I will include your copyright.
    by textilet at 03/16/10 8:45AM
  • cyber_space_cadet
    Our allergies have been just driving us nuts.
    Not necessarily pollen, but WOW...it's annoying.
    by cyber_space_cadet at 03/16/10 9:03AM
  • mrs_rosshead
    Very cute!!
    by mrs_rosshead at 03/20/10 10:28AM

Wasted Years

at 02/28/10 12:45AM
The meaning of the subject line is for me and me alone, but it is thoughts of wasted years that has brought me to this post, though indirectly.

Copied from the CHADD website:

There are three primary subtypes, each associated with different symptoms.

AD/HD - Primarily Inattentive Type:
• Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes.
• Has difficulty sustaining attention.
• Does not appear to listen.
• Struggles to follow through on instructions.
• Has difficulty with organization.
• Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort.
• Is easily distracted.
• Is forgetful in daily activities.

I choose to post only one of the subtypes because I feel the description fits me the most. Every one of these is me to a "T".

In short, the ADD mind is one that, when overwhelmed with information which it cannot process (or finds difficult to process), it shuts down and moves on to other more mindless, menial "entertainment" or activity which requires little to no sustained abstract thought.

And that is where I am right now.

Sisterhood and Genetics

at 02/19/10 2:24PM
Over the last couple of months, I've been able to spend time in the evenings and late at night chatting online with my sister. She is the daughter of my (birth) mother, but not of my father. We did not grow up together; she was born when I was fifteen. I've seen her only three times, all before she turned seven years old. She is now twenty-six.

I think I can speak for both of us when I say the conversations are thoroughly enjoyable. We're finding out how much we have in common, and yet how different and unique we are. It hurts that we are a continent apart - I'm in Florida, she lives with our mother in Washington state. Neither one of us has the means nor opportunity right now for a visit. Neither one of us is in a position to move, although I would definitely consider it if Don were willing. (One thing I realized while watching the opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympics was how much I missed the Pacific Northwest.)

I don't know how much of our similarity is due to genetics, but I'm willing to bet quite a bit. One night last week we were discussing siblings who grow up apart from each other, never knowing about the other, then meeting later in adult life only to find out just how much they have in common. I think most of you have heard stories about identical twins meeting and finding out their spouses had the same name, interests, physical characteristics, etc. She even mentioned an episode of Law & Order (I think it was) where a couple had come together because of their common interests. They were going through genetic testing prior to having a child, and found out not only were they children of sperm donors, they were the children of the SAME donor. Is it nature or nurture? I think there is strong evidence for both, but sometimes I wonder which one weighs in more heavily.

In other news, I saw my neurologist on Monday. He is very pleased that I did NOT suffer a stroke because of this carotid dissection. He said over the weekend, he had another patient come in with a dissection who did have a stroke. This condition is rare - something like 2.6 to 2.9 out of every 100,000 people develop a carotid artery dissection. To have two people within as many weeks - makes ya wonder ....

I told him I was still having problems with headaches, and he gave me a prescription for Topamax. So far it seems to be working - I had NO headache yesterday, and have only a mild one today, although accompanied by some neck stiffness. He has me on a sliding dosage scale, increasing it every two weeks up to a certain maximum, but stopping at whatever dose I find to be effective. Hopefully this current, minimum dose will take full effect and I won't have to move up the scale, but if I do have to take more, I'm thinking I'll only have to go to the next step because this initial step is so effective.

My INR/PT/protime dropped drastically this week from what it was last week. My primary doctor gave me some tips and instructions to help stabilize my Vitamin K levels, which will help stabilize the effectiveness of the Coumadin, and also the INR. Right now I'm getting my blood checked every week; once it settles down it will be once a month until I'm healed.

I found out approximately where in my head/neck this dissection is. It's hard to explain - so if you're interested, google some of these terms. According to the vascular surgeon's report, it begins two cm above the carotid bulb and extends into the carotid siphon. As best I can tell, that's about a 3 - 4 cm length, which is quite long in relation to the actual size of my skull. The carotid bulb is where the main carotid artery separates into two and becomes the internal and external carotid arteries. The carotid siphon is an area where there are many twists and turns - similar to traveling a road down a mountainside. It's because of those "corners" if you will - that surgery is not a great option for me.

One last thing, and I'll let y'all go. When I get bored, I get nosy. When I was at my primary doctor on Wednesday waiting to talk about my Coumadin level, I snooped through some of the folders of handouts on the desk in the exam room. One of them had a self-test for ADD/ADHD. I took it - just on a whim. When I showed it to her later - she said my score on one section means it is highly likely I have ADD. I want to be flippant and say "I could have told you that" - but I really can't. I do think I have some level of ADD - it's hard to concentrate on one project at a time, it's hard to keep my mind from wandering, I'm not organized, etc. She doesn't want to talk about medication just yet - but I think once we get my Coumadin straightened out, we'll discuss a full evaluation for ADD. In the meantime, she referred me to http://www.chadd.org for more info and support. So far - the site is great. The irony is - there's so much info there that it's hard for someone with ADD to stick with it long enough to go through it all. :/
  • cyber_space_cadet
    That last line is SO TRUE and really hilarious. :) (The situation's not hilarious, but the way you put it was dead-on funny.)
    I am SO GLAD, Heather, that things are going as well as could be expected for you with this recent issue.
    That is tooooooo cool that you've gotten to catch up with your sister in WA!
    By the way, that story about the couple going through the testing was crazy. Can you imagine finding out something like that at THAT stage? Wowwy.
    by cyber_space_cadet at 02/19/10 3:07PM
  • puppymaster
    Wow, you have been going through a lot lately!

    I didn't know you were an Army medic and emt; that's pretty cool.
    by puppymaster at 02/20/10 11:06AM
  • textilet
    Are you still quilting?
    by textilet at 02/20/10 3:16PM
  • friedaj
    Thank you for coming to my blog and leaving a note. I never thought about the notebook idea but it sounds like a great thing to do BEFORE I need it. I don't get those days too often (thnk goodness) but when I do they are explosive. It is usually when Mom amd David are both in need and I feel torn. I am not good at "letting God" so I am working on it with all my might. Thank you for your suggestions.
    BTW - David is on Topamax and it seems to have been a wonderful drug for him. Hope it continues to work well for you.
    by friedaj at 02/21/10 2:24PM
  • friedaj
    I am really glad thing have worked out so you can talk with your sister.
    by friedaj at 02/21/10 2:27PM
  • friedaj
    I hope your health continues to improve!
    by friedaj at 02/21/10 2:31PM
  • granny
    Hello sister - I enjoyed your entry and so happy you are enjoying your sister in Washington. But so sorry to learn of your health problems. What an ordeal. Glad the headaches are under control. You may be suffering from ADD but your entry was just fine :)
    by granny at 02/25/10 12:30AM

Abundance

at 02/11/10 7:13PM
I am home from the hospital. I was released last Friday after the Coumadin finally reached a therapeutic level. I am still being monitored by my regular physician on a weekly basis until we are sure the Coumadin is stable, then monthly. At about six months, I'll have another neck CT scan done, and we'll decide then if I'm healed, or if I need further treatment.

I asked a question on Facebook today, and would like to post my thoughts here as well. Is it better to have an abundant life, or better to live abundantly?

Before I offer my answer, I'd like to define what I mean by these phrases. "Abundant living" is as the world sees abundance - things, material possessions, money, etc. Multiple cars, houses, jewels, and more all fit into this definitely of "abundant living." On the other hand, "living abundantly" is more of a spiritual issue. It can include "abundant living," but that abundance is not used solely for one's own personal gain or pleasure.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Eph. 3:20)

Recently I've heard this verse being used as justification for a focus on obtaining possessions and money and various prizes/bonuses incurred in the course of one's career. Paul's words here are used to say that God wants us to have a "life of abundance" - He wants us to "have it all!" Yet, when I read that verse, I see that Paul meant for it to be used in a very different way. God is *able* to work abundance in our lives. That does not mean He *will* work abundance. God is to be given the glory *because* He can work this abundance.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (2 Cor. 9:8)

Now this is more like it! This is where our abundance is to be focused. We can "abound to every good work" because God's abundant grace ensures we have everything we need. The immediate context is concerned with physical support - money and goods necessary for the support and life of others. This verse can also apply to spiritual needs - God makes sure we have everything we need to evangelize and teach others.

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (Luke 12:15)

Our focus, our desires, our very lives are not to be wrapped up in material wealth and possessions. Immediately after this verse, Jesus launches into the parable of the rich man who made grandiose plans for his wealth, yet his soul was required of him that very night he made those plans. What does that say about "abundant living"?

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. (Ps. 49:6-9)

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. (Pr. 11:28)

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Tim. 6:17-19)

There is nothing wrong with "abundant living." Paul told Timothy that God has given us things to enjoy, but further stated that we are to use those things to shower abundance on others - to "live abundantly." When we share with others the things God has given us, we are all the more richer for it.
  • cyber_space_cadet
    Great thoughts, Heather.
    Glad you're out of the hospital and hope that you heal up nicely and don't need any further treatment.
    Love you!
    by cyber_space_cadet at 02/11/10 9:20PM

Whether Pigs Have Wings

at 02/02/10 11:55AM
Ok - I know I have the lines out of order, but so what?! :P

I'm sorry I have not updated more fully than a facebook status post. The days have kind of run together, and I really haven't kept anyone up to date except Don. This is just now starting to sink in - up until today it's been kind of surreal to me. I have been seeing this all from the perspective of an Army medic and an EMT; it's hard for me to switch my thinking and look at this from the patient's point of view. Perhaps there's a tiny smidgeon of "if I don't talk about it, it's not real" mixed in there as well.

I did see the vascular surgeon on Saturday, and have seen a neurologist and a hospitalist (general practitioner/internal medicine specialist for those who are admitted to the hospital) every day. The vascular surgeon said normally this type of injury (this is an injury, even if it's not overt and the cause is not known) is treated with blood thinners and blood pressure meds for 3-6 months. This can heal itself, and most often does - especially when the threat of blood clots and the pressure load on the artery are reduced. I normally do not have high blood pressure, but the doctors want to lower mine slightly just to give the meds the best chance to work and my artery the best chance to heal.

In my case, the surgeon wants to treat me for six months. At that point, the CT scans will be repeated, and if I am fully healed - I can stop taking the meds and life goes back to normal. If I am *not* healed, he'll keep me on meds for three more months. After that, if I am still not healed - we'll talk surgery. Most likely the surgery will be placing a stent to keep the artery open and the flap of lining against the wall of the artery so blood cannot get behind it. A stent is a tube made of a very fine wire mesh, and expands to "firm up" the walls of the artery and provide extra support to keep them open.

I am very thankful for all the support and prayers and love coming my way. I've had visitors every day (Saturday I had *eight* people besides Don!!!), and phone calls and emails to check how I'm doing. Thank you much, and keep them coming!
  • christina
    So happy to hear that you may not have to have surgery!
    by christina at 02/02/10 12:54PM
  • textilet
    Glad to hear you have a plan and that you have support!
    by textilet at 02/02/10 1:33PM
  • purky
    I understand where you are coming from - anytime I have to deal with my own body it seems like I'm dealing with someone else not me. I'm really glad that you have an approach to follow. We will be praying that everything heals by itself and you won't have any problems with the meds in the meantime.
    by purky at 02/02/10 9:57PM