Today was not the greatest of days. Very tired/sick feeling all day, still now. I really struggled to eat dinner, had to eat it slowly over the course of almost an hour, and it had to be very gentle foods...actually, it was pretty much what I normally have for breakfast, which is a banana, oats, ground flax seed, and almond milk mixed together. Although I seasoned it with cinnamon tonight instead of molasses.
I was so cold for much of today as well. I checked, and at one point in mid-afternoon, my body temperature was only 97.0 degrees. Not cool body, not cool. Whatever you're doing, would you please either STOP or PLEASE show up on my bloodwork? This can't continue. Really. It can't. I've already mentioned to my flute teacher L the possibility that I may have to graduate in October instead of May if I can't get things sorted out, because keeping up with my three classes-psychology, orchestration, and my History of Antisemitism and the Holocaust class-is hard enough. I've done just a TINY snippet on my major area paper, and while I could graduate (probably-I haven't checked the credits to see) with just a basic bachelor's of music, I want to graduate with the Bachelor of Music (History) degree. It means a lot to me, and I'm willing to delay my graduation (again) to do so if necessary. As B and L keep reminding me, my health does have to be the top priority...much as I would like other things to be higher!
Sigh. Energy, energy, where art thou?
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Tomorrow...
Tomorrow will be 2 months since my genetics test. It would certainly be special if I got the results tomorrow, although I have a feeling that that won't happen! My guess is that the longer it takes, the more likely it is that I do indeed have Mosaic Turner's Syndrome. That might sound counter-intuitive, but to me it makes sense in this regard. Unlike some disorders where you either have or you don't have it (ex, having a specific gene for sickle cell anemia for instance), my X chromosomes could be varying degrees of 'not-there'. That takes time to figure out just what karotype they are. If they are completely there, then it would make sense for them to see that quickly. We shall see.
Hopefully tomorrow is a better day.
Hopefully tomorrow is a better day.
Breaking Moment
Every now and then I have a breaking moment. Today's came just a little while ago on the phone with my ICM after discussing what my doctor had tested for this morning.
I'd say that the doctor's visit was semi-productive. My blood is being tested for TSH, T3, T4 and hemoglobin. BUT...some of my symptoms tried to get pushed off as "poor eating" due to ED-NOS.
Really? I've only been doing groups and meeting with the dietician for over two years to FIGHT ED-NOS! Fortunately, I have my dietician's word that really, I'm eating quite well (what I can eat) at this point, so no, my problems are NOT being caused by a lack of fiber.
I'm just, well, to repeat the old phrase, "Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired".
It's not normal to have no appetite
It's not normal for a 22-year-old to need 10-12 hours of sleep, and still crash in the afternoon.
It's not normal to have breathing issues (especially ones that can't be explained by either my heart OR a pulmonary function test)
It's not normal to be so cold so often (yesterday, I kept my coat on through my entire orchestration class. We're talking a big down filled coat here)
Things just don't feel right. And as I made sure to point out to my doctor...I've been pretty good at knowing when things are wrong...
After all the stress leading up to this...I'm just having my little 'breakdown' now. If only my dad wasn't home things would be a bit easier. But I think I'm just going to crawl into bed for a little while and focus on some other things while giving my body a break at the same time.
I'd say that the doctor's visit was semi-productive. My blood is being tested for TSH, T3, T4 and hemoglobin. BUT...some of my symptoms tried to get pushed off as "poor eating" due to ED-NOS.
Really? I've only been doing groups and meeting with the dietician for over two years to FIGHT ED-NOS! Fortunately, I have my dietician's word that really, I'm eating quite well (what I can eat) at this point, so no, my problems are NOT being caused by a lack of fiber.
I'm just, well, to repeat the old phrase, "Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired".
It's not normal to have no appetite
It's not normal for a 22-year-old to need 10-12 hours of sleep, and still crash in the afternoon.
It's not normal to have breathing issues (especially ones that can't be explained by either my heart OR a pulmonary function test)
It's not normal to be so cold so often (yesterday, I kept my coat on through my entire orchestration class. We're talking a big down filled coat here)
Things just don't feel right. And as I made sure to point out to my doctor...I've been pretty good at knowing when things are wrong...
After all the stress leading up to this...I'm just having my little 'breakdown' now. If only my dad wasn't home things would be a bit easier. But I think I'm just going to crawl into bed for a little while and focus on some other things while giving my body a break at the same time.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Post-reading week depression/slump
Ah yes, the sunday evening before you go back to classes after reading week. In less than 12 hours I will be sitting in my orchestration class. And I'm feeling sad/disappointed that reading week is over and that I didn't get done half of what I wanted to get done, frustrated perhaps. Yes, frustrated. Frustrated with myself and with my exhaustion.
If I don't get into see my doctor on tuesday, I'm going to phone my ICM and ask if she can set me up with a doctor in one of the clinics attached to our regional health program-one of the perks of being a client I guess.
So yes, I'm feeling those mixed feelings about going back to the university tomorrow.
However...the countdown is now on I guess. I have only 14 more classes at 8:30 in the morning, and only 7 more classes at 7-10pm at night for this degree. Which is pretty crazy!
If I don't get into see my doctor on tuesday, I'm going to phone my ICM and ask if she can set me up with a doctor in one of the clinics attached to our regional health program-one of the perks of being a client I guess.
So yes, I'm feeling those mixed feelings about going back to the university tomorrow.
However...the countdown is now on I guess. I have only 14 more classes at 8:30 in the morning, and only 7 more classes at 7-10pm at night for this degree. Which is pretty crazy!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Amusing shopping
When I came home last night from shopping, I laughed slightly because my purchases together were kind of amusing, and at the same time, quite descriptive of me:
-2 kinds of green tea
-Chocolate chips
-Shampoo and conditioner for long hair (self-explanatory...)
-Sparkly star stickers
-New orange notebook for psychology
-Two candles-one cinnamon scented, the other vanilla. Yum.
-Bananas
-New candle lighter (my old one is almost out)
-Vitamin D 1000 IU pills
Like I said, an amusing and somewhat eclectic, but totally 'me' shopping trip. Candles, green tea, chocolate, sparkly star stickers, bananas, vitamin D.
Today so far has been pretty good. I'm a little bit tired-ish but not crushing tired. And my students were great. Even my Sunbeams did pretty well with their bridges today. It's coming...it's coming.
And I'm listening to Berlioz's Requiem with my new green tea and new cinnamon candle burning. I think I might even bake some cookies...
Not to mention doing some schoolwork. I finished my psychology lectures for this coming exam yesterday, which is good. I think I have 3 chapters to get through as well though, not to mention orchestration to work on, history of antisemitism to work on, and my major area paper. And practising. I got a bit done today so far, which is AWESOME. Any day that I am able to play my flute is automatically much better!
BUT I must remember that good days like this are still not awesome in comparison to how I likely could be feeling. I'm still cold, still tired after nine hours of sleep, and still with other problems that just manifested themselves again. I WILL PHONE AND TRY TO SEE MY DOCTOR ON TUESDAY. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
-2 kinds of green tea
-Chocolate chips
-Shampoo and conditioner for long hair (self-explanatory...)
-Sparkly star stickers
-New orange notebook for psychology
-Two candles-one cinnamon scented, the other vanilla. Yum.
-Bananas
-New candle lighter (my old one is almost out)
-Vitamin D 1000 IU pills
Like I said, an amusing and somewhat eclectic, but totally 'me' shopping trip. Candles, green tea, chocolate, sparkly star stickers, bananas, vitamin D.
Today so far has been pretty good. I'm a little bit tired-ish but not crushing tired. And my students were great. Even my Sunbeams did pretty well with their bridges today. It's coming...it's coming.
And I'm listening to Berlioz's Requiem with my new green tea and new cinnamon candle burning. I think I might even bake some cookies...
Not to mention doing some schoolwork. I finished my psychology lectures for this coming exam yesterday, which is good. I think I have 3 chapters to get through as well though, not to mention orchestration to work on, history of antisemitism to work on, and my major area paper. And practising. I got a bit done today so far, which is AWESOME. Any day that I am able to play my flute is automatically much better!
BUT I must remember that good days like this are still not awesome in comparison to how I likely could be feeling. I'm still cold, still tired after nine hours of sleep, and still with other problems that just manifested themselves again. I WILL PHONE AND TRY TO SEE MY DOCTOR ON TUESDAY. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Sharing and not hiding
I've shared how over the past three and a half years my friend B has become one of my closest friends. Tonight, I took a huge step, and talked to B about one of my two biggest, largest, hardest 'secrets'. The fact that I was hospitalized for my severe depression/anxiety and that I had attempted suicide (however feeble) in front of my dad. The last people that I told about that were N and D...who are some of my eating disorder friends, although N does play piano and used to be at the faculty with me (though I didn't get to know her that well until after she went back in the hospital, strange how that works). Actually...I'm not even sure that N and D know as much as B does now. D probably doesn't, and I'm not sure I even went into as much detail about things being right in front of my dad with N. I'm not sure exactly how we even got onto the topic...but I felt that urge that I've felt for many months now, probably since May or June that I could, and really should, let B know about things.
Ah yes...B was telling me about how inspirational I was to her, I was doing our usual "Right back at you" because seriously, my friend B is amazing. She mentioned that she could hardly talk about me to her boyfriend J without raving...
And I mentioned that really, some days I feel like breaking. She reminded me that if that ever happened, that my dad, my sister, she, and many others would be there to "hold [my] pieces until I found the strength to gather myself" (How can anyone not love someone who says this stuff?!)
And then I felt led to write:
"I've never told anyone at the university what really happened to me at the end of grade 12"
"I think it's time".
When B responded "When the time feels right, it's the right time", I knew it was right.
And over the course of almost an hour, I let my friend into the past...the past that sometimes isn't so easy to forget.
My friends K and M have learned a bit about me. Surprisingly, K knows about my eating disorder struggles. I've been relatively open with my university crew and my flute teacher that I've been seeing a dietician, although I haven't revealed WHY exactly. I debate for months or even years about letting someone into my life more fully. When I'm opening up, it's always been through Facebook chat-with K, M and B. Actually with N as well (D I met in group, so that was different). Face to face is harder, although probably better in the long run. But getting things out, sharing at all...
For me, that's pretty incredible.
Maybe there is strength in sharing. Sharing, and not hiding.
My MYC coordinator today mentioned just how surprised she had been when S (my piano teacher, and a fellow MYC teacher) let her know that my mom had died. When I had done the training, I had just seemed like a normal young woman interested in becoming an MYC teacher. We got onto this topic because I mentioned that "We don't always know the story behind what's going on", and I related that my wind ensemble director found out ONE day before...this despite seeing me several times a week for nearly three years prior, being in the small faculty etc etc. And that's someone that saw me OFTEN, talked to MANY people who knew EXACTLY what was going on, saw me crying and hardly able to breath right before wind ensemble a few weeks previous. So naturally, I know that I can no longer assume ANYTHING.
I feel worn out now though. Not to mention that training is a long day. Time for bed. I'm crying a bit, but it's a combination of relief, sadness, weakness, friendship/love, grief at missing my mom, confusion over life (I would love to still have my mom in my life, but then my dad wouldn't be enjoying life with K-his girlfriend-now...talk about a confusing paradox) and a bazillion more emotions.
More training tomorrow. And THIS time, I will get off at the right bus stop! But that is a story for another day...
Ah yes...B was telling me about how inspirational I was to her, I was doing our usual "Right back at you" because seriously, my friend B is amazing. She mentioned that she could hardly talk about me to her boyfriend J without raving...
And I mentioned that really, some days I feel like breaking. She reminded me that if that ever happened, that my dad, my sister, she, and many others would be there to "hold [my] pieces until I found the strength to gather myself" (How can anyone not love someone who says this stuff?!)
And then I felt led to write:
"I've never told anyone at the university what really happened to me at the end of grade 12"
"I think it's time".
When B responded "When the time feels right, it's the right time", I knew it was right.
And over the course of almost an hour, I let my friend into the past...the past that sometimes isn't so easy to forget.
My friends K and M have learned a bit about me. Surprisingly, K knows about my eating disorder struggles. I've been relatively open with my university crew and my flute teacher that I've been seeing a dietician, although I haven't revealed WHY exactly. I debate for months or even years about letting someone into my life more fully. When I'm opening up, it's always been through Facebook chat-with K, M and B. Actually with N as well (D I met in group, so that was different). Face to face is harder, although probably better in the long run. But getting things out, sharing at all...
For me, that's pretty incredible.
Maybe there is strength in sharing. Sharing, and not hiding.
My MYC coordinator today mentioned just how surprised she had been when S (my piano teacher, and a fellow MYC teacher) let her know that my mom had died. When I had done the training, I had just seemed like a normal young woman interested in becoming an MYC teacher. We got onto this topic because I mentioned that "We don't always know the story behind what's going on", and I related that my wind ensemble director found out ONE day before...this despite seeing me several times a week for nearly three years prior, being in the small faculty etc etc. And that's someone that saw me OFTEN, talked to MANY people who knew EXACTLY what was going on, saw me crying and hardly able to breath right before wind ensemble a few weeks previous. So naturally, I know that I can no longer assume ANYTHING.
I feel worn out now though. Not to mention that training is a long day. Time for bed. I'm crying a bit, but it's a combination of relief, sadness, weakness, friendship/love, grief at missing my mom, confusion over life (I would love to still have my mom in my life, but then my dad wouldn't be enjoying life with K-his girlfriend-now...talk about a confusing paradox) and a bazillion more emotions.
More training tomorrow. And THIS time, I will get off at the right bus stop! But that is a story for another day...
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Rough day...really rough
I probably brought SOME of the rough day on myself, because I stayed up until after 1am last night getting discouraged reading about hypothyroidism online. I never learn, do I, about reading about my medical conditions/possible medical conditions online late at night!
Anyways...that meant I woke up at 11:30. Whoops. Big whoops. Really big whoops.
I've felt pretty miserable all day, and developed a headache, probably somewhat due to dehydration/lack of green tea that really knocked me out of commission. Around 5pm I crawled into my bed, downed some tylenol and shivered under my blankets with my eyes closed listening to MASH (watching hurt my right eye in particular, and I couldn't have my glasses on while lying down because it hurt my head). Now, note that my house was NOT freezing cold, and that I was in a warm sweater and jeans, and have four blankets on my bed including a thick wool blanket. My hands and feet were FREEZING despite all the blankets. I took my temperature, and I was at only 97.7...
Clear signs of hypothyroidism. Which is why I am phoning for an appointment on thursday. I can't let 'good days' on tuesday and wednesday where I wasn't freezing cold all the time, could sit up and work, and didn't have to lie down for a long time let me forget about the bad days.
My friend B has hypothyroidism caused by her radiation and chemotherapy for lymphoma, and my friend K is being tested for hypothyroidism. Both are encouraging to me...
Days like this, like right now, where I can't really turn on the lights because it's too painful and where I'm freezing really do get to me...
Anyways...that meant I woke up at 11:30. Whoops. Big whoops. Really big whoops.
I've felt pretty miserable all day, and developed a headache, probably somewhat due to dehydration/lack of green tea that really knocked me out of commission. Around 5pm I crawled into my bed, downed some tylenol and shivered under my blankets with my eyes closed listening to MASH (watching hurt my right eye in particular, and I couldn't have my glasses on while lying down because it hurt my head). Now, note that my house was NOT freezing cold, and that I was in a warm sweater and jeans, and have four blankets on my bed including a thick wool blanket. My hands and feet were FREEZING despite all the blankets. I took my temperature, and I was at only 97.7...
Clear signs of hypothyroidism. Which is why I am phoning for an appointment on thursday. I can't let 'good days' on tuesday and wednesday where I wasn't freezing cold all the time, could sit up and work, and didn't have to lie down for a long time let me forget about the bad days.
My friend B has hypothyroidism caused by her radiation and chemotherapy for lymphoma, and my friend K is being tested for hypothyroidism. Both are encouraging to me...
Days like this, like right now, where I can't really turn on the lights because it's too painful and where I'm freezing really do get to me...
Someone should shake me (seriously) every now and again...
Every time I start worrying about a mark, someone really ought to give me a sound shaking!! I was SO concerned that I was going to have gotten a not-so-great mark on my psychology exam. And what did I get? Another 90% (A+). I was also concerned that I would have gotten a C on my orchestration exam...high B+. Now, I would obviously have preferred an A, and if I'd had a few minutes more I might have gotten an A, because I forgot a few little markings on the largest part that meant I lost a few marks, such as forgetting to specify which type of clarinet I wanted to play, and in one of my transpositions, I forgot to put in the key signature! That alone cost me three marks, which would have moved my 87% to a 90%. Sheer lack of time I think. BUT, the good news is that I got the harmonics correct, which is one section that I puzzled over quite a bit-having the viola strings listed by number instead of letter threw me off a bit, and I had to figure out which was which because I had forgotten that you count down instead of up...the lowest string is 4, then 3 etc. Completely opposite to the song I sing with my students "One two three four five the lines, one two three four spaces...Treble Clef and Bass Clef too, count UP from the BOTTOM".
Anyways...that one night of getting 5 1/2 hours of sleep REALLY threw me off. After I did that exam I pretty much crashed a bit, although I did get down to the hospital to meet with my ICM, and then was actually able to attend bible study for once because I wasn't teaching in the evening on thursday (long story, but I taught ALL my students today. Long day). I was supposed to babysit for a friend at 6am but thankfully (or not...) she was sick herself and needed to stay home. I feel bad that she was ill, but at the same time, me sleeping for 2 1/2 hours was definitely a good thing. And then I was able to go down to the university and mark the skills tests instead, which was also good because one of my fellow markers N was still sick/something. When I finished marking the tests, I REALLY crashed. Pretty much quite literally, on one of the run-down-springs-strange-who-knows-how-old couches that we inherited that are falling apart but provide some degree of comfort at the faculty of music. I don't know how long I debated whether I was going to go home and eat or eat at the university...I was not hungry in the least, couldn't decide whether it would be bad to wait until after 2pm (when I would get home) to eat...you get the picture. The cycle is pretty annoying to say the least.
And now it is reading week. A certain surprise that has continued to be surprising has reminded me of the necessity of getting checked out by my doctor...hopefully I can get in this coming week or early the next week. It's now been almost two months of waiting for my genetics test results. I asked my bible study friends to pray with me for the patience in waiting for the results...and for the courage and strength to get into see my doctor!
Anyways...that one night of getting 5 1/2 hours of sleep REALLY threw me off. After I did that exam I pretty much crashed a bit, although I did get down to the hospital to meet with my ICM, and then was actually able to attend bible study for once because I wasn't teaching in the evening on thursday (long story, but I taught ALL my students today. Long day). I was supposed to babysit for a friend at 6am but thankfully (or not...) she was sick herself and needed to stay home. I feel bad that she was ill, but at the same time, me sleeping for 2 1/2 hours was definitely a good thing. And then I was able to go down to the university and mark the skills tests instead, which was also good because one of my fellow markers N was still sick/something. When I finished marking the tests, I REALLY crashed. Pretty much quite literally, on one of the run-down-springs-strange-who-knows-how-old couches that we inherited that are falling apart but provide some degree of comfort at the faculty of music. I don't know how long I debated whether I was going to go home and eat or eat at the university...I was not hungry in the least, couldn't decide whether it would be bad to wait until after 2pm (when I would get home) to eat...you get the picture. The cycle is pretty annoying to say the least.
And now it is reading week. A certain surprise that has continued to be surprising has reminded me of the necessity of getting checked out by my doctor...hopefully I can get in this coming week or early the next week. It's now been almost two months of waiting for my genetics test results. I asked my bible study friends to pray with me for the patience in waiting for the results...and for the courage and strength to get into see my doctor!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Just having a little bit of a hard day I guess. I managed to block out a lot of thoughts by focusing REALLY hard on getting the last chapter of my psychology textbook read for my exam tomorrow. I wish that today was sunday, not tuesday though. I have a psychology exam tomorrow, and then my orchestration midterm on thursday. After that, it's reading week.
When I took a break, I had gone back on facebook, obviously I saw more posts related to Kylie's fight being over, and then I attempted to find a website where I could quickly introduce my dad to mosaic turner's syndrome. I should know better than to enter into either of those two topics when I need my brain to function well!
Which it did surprisingly well for much of today. I'm impressed that I had the energy to get through the psych textbook pages, although I think I entered into a little bit of a green tea high...which is rare, but I think it was because of the one specific green tea I had that somehow seems to be a bit more potent than others...Mango PassionFruit Acai Berry Green Tea by Tetley. I hadn't had it in a little while, and it seemed to have worked. I wish I could go to bed NOW but I need to put in about three hours studying. Must...Study...
I may end up having to miss my history class tomorrow night depending on how much studying I can get done. I really don't want to AT ALL, but orchestration has a LOT to know for the midterm. So I'd better eat (sigh) and get at it.
When I took a break, I had gone back on facebook, obviously I saw more posts related to Kylie's fight being over, and then I attempted to find a website where I could quickly introduce my dad to mosaic turner's syndrome. I should know better than to enter into either of those two topics when I need my brain to function well!
Which it did surprisingly well for much of today. I'm impressed that I had the energy to get through the psych textbook pages, although I think I entered into a little bit of a green tea high...which is rare, but I think it was because of the one specific green tea I had that somehow seems to be a bit more potent than others...Mango PassionFruit Acai Berry Green Tea by Tetley. I hadn't had it in a little while, and it seemed to have worked. I wish I could go to bed NOW but I need to put in about three hours studying. Must...Study...
I may end up having to miss my history class tomorrow night depending on how much studying I can get done. I really don't want to AT ALL, but orchestration has a LOT to know for the midterm. So I'd better eat (sigh) and get at it.
Kylie "Bug" Taylor
My heart is breaking this morning to find out that Kylie "Bug" Taylor earned her wings last night. It really came as a big surprise. Although very sick for many months, and in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Primary Children's Medical Center for some seven+ months, she had been SO strong. Only true fighters manage to make forts with boxes, bake things in the Easy Bake Oven that they got for Christmas and play 'Guinea Pig Haircuts' while on 17litres High Flow Oxygen! Kylie was in the minority who die while waiting for transplants as children, but there should be NO minority. There ARE enough organs, but in FAR too many cases ignorance prevents the transplant from happening. In Kylie's case there was also a medical error that sent her PRA's WAY high, and thus really prevented her from having the transplant.
Kylie was a very special little girl. I honestly think that this is the most upset I have been when someone I have followed on the internet has passed away...perhaps that's because there was always still HOPE, whereas with many cancer patients, there was NO hope left...
Fly high Kylie. No more PICC lines to drive you crazy, no more freezing, no more swelling in your tummy. In Christ, you are completely healed-no more heart failure from your HLHS.
Kylie was a very special little girl. I honestly think that this is the most upset I have been when someone I have followed on the internet has passed away...perhaps that's because there was always still HOPE, whereas with many cancer patients, there was NO hope left...
Fly high Kylie. No more PICC lines to drive you crazy, no more freezing, no more swelling in your tummy. In Christ, you are completely healed-no more heart failure from your HLHS.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Dietician appointment
Had an insightful (I guess-that may not be exactly the word I am looking for) appointment with my dietician this morning. Fortunately, it was in the morning before the fatigue really hits badly. Mornings have generally always been my best time, guess it still stands.
My dietician mentioned that it may be worthwhile talking to my doctor about domperidone for a short-term, low-dosage course (1-2 months) to see if it helps my digestive system kick back into gear properly and work at the right speed so that I can actually feel hunger (besides just having my brain shut down) and not feel like eating is such a chore. I think it's worth looking into even though I'm generally cautious about any medication. Right now, I'm cold, tired, have a mild headache, and am concerned about my two midterms later this week. I think the past two or three nights I've been dreaming about getting the genetic test results, or results from other tests, but I'm not completely sure if it was all the nights. The really weird one was early sunday morning when the doctor giving me the results was Dr. Travis Stork (one of the hosts of the TV show 'The Doctors') and somehow my mom was involved. Anytime I dream about my mom it seems to involve her being there when I get test results or other things like that. Which just upsets things further. I guess it's my brain trying to process what it would be like if I had her in my life right now and DID get the test results back-how I would approach the situation. Although we loved each other dearly, I was never truly able to talk to her about things of any deep real importance to me. Sometimes, it's a little bit hard to see how other mothers and daughters have relationships like that, sometimes I just file it away and think that if I have a daughter, I will work so that that relationship can be a possibility someday. Such examples as my friend/fellow teacher S, who is in her fifties (about my mom's age I guess) whose daughter is only 28 weeks along with twins and will likely be delivering them early-within the next anytime-3 weeks. Well, naturally S is both very concerned for her daughter and future grandchildren and also TICKED off with the doctor-not even her daughter's doctor!-who told her this in such a way that her daughter was absolutely devastated, upset and whatnot (a situation that is NOT going to help her chances of giving the babies every single day that she can). S can definitely show her mama-bear claws when she wants to! She is DEFINITELY one of those women whose children will ALWAYS be her babies.
But I digress. I sure hope that her daughter can carry at least until 30 weeks, when the risk of complications are much lower.
My dietician mentioned that it may be worthwhile talking to my doctor about domperidone for a short-term, low-dosage course (1-2 months) to see if it helps my digestive system kick back into gear properly and work at the right speed so that I can actually feel hunger (besides just having my brain shut down) and not feel like eating is such a chore. I think it's worth looking into even though I'm generally cautious about any medication. Right now, I'm cold, tired, have a mild headache, and am concerned about my two midterms later this week. I think the past two or three nights I've been dreaming about getting the genetic test results, or results from other tests, but I'm not completely sure if it was all the nights. The really weird one was early sunday morning when the doctor giving me the results was Dr. Travis Stork (one of the hosts of the TV show 'The Doctors') and somehow my mom was involved. Anytime I dream about my mom it seems to involve her being there when I get test results or other things like that. Which just upsets things further. I guess it's my brain trying to process what it would be like if I had her in my life right now and DID get the test results back-how I would approach the situation. Although we loved each other dearly, I was never truly able to talk to her about things of any deep real importance to me. Sometimes, it's a little bit hard to see how other mothers and daughters have relationships like that, sometimes I just file it away and think that if I have a daughter, I will work so that that relationship can be a possibility someday. Such examples as my friend/fellow teacher S, who is in her fifties (about my mom's age I guess) whose daughter is only 28 weeks along with twins and will likely be delivering them early-within the next anytime-3 weeks. Well, naturally S is both very concerned for her daughter and future grandchildren and also TICKED off with the doctor-not even her daughter's doctor!-who told her this in such a way that her daughter was absolutely devastated, upset and whatnot (a situation that is NOT going to help her chances of giving the babies every single day that she can). S can definitely show her mama-bear claws when she wants to! She is DEFINITELY one of those women whose children will ALWAYS be her babies.
But I digress. I sure hope that her daughter can carry at least until 30 weeks, when the risk of complications are much lower.
Friday, February 8, 2013
You know you are tired when...
You almost take a drink of wax by picking up an unlight candle in a glass candle holder instead of your mug of tea. Wow. I guess waking up at 5am to babysit kind of drains a girl who has some other stuff going on as well! I wish that I had more energy to study for my two exams or practice, or work on an paper for my history courses, BUT I think I had better take a shower and just go to bed. Somehow, when I start picking up candles instead of tea and when I reached for my toothbrush instead of soap to wash my hands, I think my brain is dead and needs some sleep!
'Millenials' most stressed generation
Every now and then (not sure why I do this) I end up posting on the MSNBC news site in response to a news story (usually in the Health section). Ah, internet fights. When my responding to someone's post that 'everyone who is a millenial (18-34 years of age) is just stressed over things like power outages and phone chargers' somehow transforms into someone who obviously didn't read my post calling 'b.s' that I could possibly have taken care of my parent (s), why did I have a child in college, and that at age 34 it was time for me to leave school and get a job. The amount of errors in that post were laughable!
Here's just a brief summary of the errors...
I am 22
I do not have children, nor is it in the least bit possible for me to have children, given that I am a virgin...
I have two jobs, if not three.
I MOST DEFINITELY took care of my mom as she suffered and DIED from cancer.
I do take care of my dad/will be taking care of my dad.
My parents were slightly older when I was born (34 and over 40) so really, it's quite possible to be caring for them even in my twenties. My dad is now less than a year from turning 65, has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, has had a silent heart attack, insomnia, and depression-not to mention being quite overweight. Some of his medications make him sleep walk/sleep eat, and he has been known to crash into things etc etc.
I actually ended by saying that I did feel we were in a high-paced society with a bit of a technology overload, giving the example of my friend who does not have a smartphone (neither do I) and was reprimanded for not answering an email immediately. He happened to be in class at the time, and had a habit of checking his email once or twice a day and responding at that time...but they got mad because he didn't drop everything and respond immediately!
My main point was that we aren't stressed because of 'power outages and phone chargers dying on us', we are stressed because of real life, like any other generation. If we look at the younger end of the spectrum, the 18-25ish crowd, we are also looking at brains that are not even fully developed. Perhaps this is part of why we are more stressed than the older generations, not to mention that everyday, there are news reports that minerals are going to be gone by the time I'm 35, that we are facing conundrums in terms of energy (we have the ability to be completely sustainable, but governments do not subsidize solar and wind power...they subsidize fossil fuels, which will be gone within 2-3 decades), that this country has this sort of nuclear weapon, that there will be no retirement benefits, that there is a possibility of a food shortage yet the solutions that have been created come with their own set of problems (ex, celiac disease is on the rise because wheat has TONS more gluten in it than 100 years ago due to genetic modification to increase yield etc etc)...
The internet is both a wonderful and a terrible thing. Seems a little bit like the way television was during the Vietnam War (the first war that was really televised to a mass population).
Yet I still have hope. Maybe going through a lot more than many young people my age has given me wisdom and insight...sometimes I get frustrated with 'young people antics'. Despite this, I have friends-close friends-who are around my age that have done some pretty amazing things...
My friend J, a survivor (an amazing story) of the Rwandan genecide, who has started an organization to provide education and health resources to Rwanda. Did I mention that he's also a nurse? He could have chosen to become bitter and what-not from his experiences, but he has taken something that NO ONE should have to go through EVER (because it's completely not natural at ALL-basically, he was a little boy, and the soliders/rebels/something gave him a choice of his life or his sister's life...he said 'kill me'...it didn't happen and for years he thought his sister had been killed (miraculously she survived)) and has looked at two things...education and healthcare...that everyone should have access to equally.
My friend S, who has created a foundation for Sustainable Development, and is reaching out to leaders around the world. Did I mention that he's only 20?! He's also a pretty fabulous clarinet player...this is also where I found out that silver and gold are likely going to disappear by 2030...which hit me in a weird way because I am a flute player, and my instrument is made of silver...and a small bit of gold (and a tiny percentage of nickel, because you can't have absolutely pure silver or gold).
Life can be like wine. You can either be bitter or get better with age. Now, I've never tasted wine, but I understand the principle. So...which do you want to be doing...getting better or bitter as you go through life?
I want to be getting better.
Here's just a brief summary of the errors...
I am 22
I do not have children, nor is it in the least bit possible for me to have children, given that I am a virgin...
I have two jobs, if not three.
I MOST DEFINITELY took care of my mom as she suffered and DIED from cancer.
I do take care of my dad/will be taking care of my dad.
My parents were slightly older when I was born (34 and over 40) so really, it's quite possible to be caring for them even in my twenties. My dad is now less than a year from turning 65, has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, has had a silent heart attack, insomnia, and depression-not to mention being quite overweight. Some of his medications make him sleep walk/sleep eat, and he has been known to crash into things etc etc.
I actually ended by saying that I did feel we were in a high-paced society with a bit of a technology overload, giving the example of my friend who does not have a smartphone (neither do I) and was reprimanded for not answering an email immediately. He happened to be in class at the time, and had a habit of checking his email once or twice a day and responding at that time...but they got mad because he didn't drop everything and respond immediately!
My main point was that we aren't stressed because of 'power outages and phone chargers dying on us', we are stressed because of real life, like any other generation. If we look at the younger end of the spectrum, the 18-25ish crowd, we are also looking at brains that are not even fully developed. Perhaps this is part of why we are more stressed than the older generations, not to mention that everyday, there are news reports that minerals are going to be gone by the time I'm 35, that we are facing conundrums in terms of energy (we have the ability to be completely sustainable, but governments do not subsidize solar and wind power...they subsidize fossil fuels, which will be gone within 2-3 decades), that this country has this sort of nuclear weapon, that there will be no retirement benefits, that there is a possibility of a food shortage yet the solutions that have been created come with their own set of problems (ex, celiac disease is on the rise because wheat has TONS more gluten in it than 100 years ago due to genetic modification to increase yield etc etc)...
The internet is both a wonderful and a terrible thing. Seems a little bit like the way television was during the Vietnam War (the first war that was really televised to a mass population).
Yet I still have hope. Maybe going through a lot more than many young people my age has given me wisdom and insight...sometimes I get frustrated with 'young people antics'. Despite this, I have friends-close friends-who are around my age that have done some pretty amazing things...
My friend J, a survivor (an amazing story) of the Rwandan genecide, who has started an organization to provide education and health resources to Rwanda. Did I mention that he's also a nurse? He could have chosen to become bitter and what-not from his experiences, but he has taken something that NO ONE should have to go through EVER (because it's completely not natural at ALL-basically, he was a little boy, and the soliders/rebels/something gave him a choice of his life or his sister's life...he said 'kill me'...it didn't happen and for years he thought his sister had been killed (miraculously she survived)) and has looked at two things...education and healthcare...that everyone should have access to equally.
My friend S, who has created a foundation for Sustainable Development, and is reaching out to leaders around the world. Did I mention that he's only 20?! He's also a pretty fabulous clarinet player...this is also where I found out that silver and gold are likely going to disappear by 2030...which hit me in a weird way because I am a flute player, and my instrument is made of silver...and a small bit of gold (and a tiny percentage of nickel, because you can't have absolutely pure silver or gold).
Life can be like wine. You can either be bitter or get better with age. Now, I've never tasted wine, but I understand the principle. So...which do you want to be doing...getting better or bitter as you go through life?
I want to be getting better.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Itunes playlist (and other ramblings)
I listen to my ipod just about everyday, whether on the bus, or on my stereo. I also try to listen to my "Current Music Studies" playlist everyday, which is why the 'Top 25' reflects that habit...
It's a slightly eclectic mix...
1) Celtic Partita-110 plays.
2) Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier- Prelude #5 in D (my current Bach Prelude)-108 plays.
3) Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier-Fugue #5 in D (My current Bach fugue)-107 plays.
4) Sonata no 9 in E major, Op 14 mvt 3-Beethoven-93 plays (also on my current studies)
5) "Suicide is Painless" (the movie theme song from the movie M*A*S*H)-85 plays.
6) Noctune no 5 in F sharp major, Chopin-83 plays (part of my current studies).
7) Sonata no 9 in E major, Op 14 mvt 1-Beethoven-83 plays (Current studies)
8) Sonata no 9 in E major, Op 14 mvt 2-Beethoven-81 plays (Current studies)
9) MYC Theme Song-81 plays.
10) Prelude in C sharp minor by Heller (a Romantic era composer)-74 plays (Current studies)
11) Melodie, Rachmaninoff-74 plays (Current studies)
12) Pas de deux-Samuel Barber-73 plays (Current studies)
13) Sonata in E minor for flute and keyboard mvt 4-Bach; 73 plays (Current Studies)
14) Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando-Phillippe Gaubert-73 plays ('Current' studies)
15)Serenade op 53, no 5-Haberbier-71 plays (Current studies)
16) Sonata in E minor for flute and keyboard mvt 2-Bach; 70 plays (Current Studies)
17) Tango Etude-Piazzolla-69 plays (Current studies)
18) MYC Rocks-69 plays
19) Allegro mvt 1 from Mozart clarinet quartet (I LOVE THIS PIECE!!!)-66 plays.
20) Sonata in E minor for flute and keyboard mvt 1-Bach; 66 plays (Current Studies)
21) John Philip Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever (Mostly because it is so energizing)-66 plays
22) Overture to Candide-Bernstein (Played it last year in Wind Ensemble)-64 plays.
23) Sonata in E minor for flute and keyboard mvt 3-Bach; 64 plays (current studies)
24) Cantabile et Presto-Georges Enesco; 64 plays (current studies)
25) Come to Jesus; 63 plays (a recording by the mom of one of my friends, and a piece that I clung onto like crazy when my mom was sick).
Like I said, quite the eclectic mix, but reflective of several important areas of my life...my piano studies, my flute studies, my life as an MYC teacher, my faith...even my obsession with M*A*S*H (which is one reason that the Allegro of Mozart is in there (long story about that).
Well...enough procrastinating on just about everything! It's 1pm and I haven't even gotten out of my pajamas yet! But...I did sleep in until 11am. Not exactly my plan! I meant to get up at 7:30. BUT...I didn't fall asleep until nearly 2am due to getting home at 11:30 last night. Oh well. More incentive to get my blood tested? Not sure. But I've had a random MYC teacher that I don't even know send me an email encouraging me to get my thyroid checked due to a random comment on the "January Blahs" message track because the way I described things sounded exactly like what she was feeling before she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. And having days like sunday for no apparent reason really isn't conducive to studying...
Such is life.
It's a slightly eclectic mix...
1) Celtic Partita-110 plays.
2) Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier- Prelude #5 in D (my current Bach Prelude)-108 plays.
3) Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier-Fugue #5 in D (My current Bach fugue)-107 plays.
4) Sonata no 9 in E major, Op 14 mvt 3-Beethoven-93 plays (also on my current studies)
5) "Suicide is Painless" (the movie theme song from the movie M*A*S*H)-85 plays.
6) Noctune no 5 in F sharp major, Chopin-83 plays (part of my current studies).
7) Sonata no 9 in E major, Op 14 mvt 1-Beethoven-83 plays (Current studies)
8) Sonata no 9 in E major, Op 14 mvt 2-Beethoven-81 plays (Current studies)
9) MYC Theme Song-81 plays.
10) Prelude in C sharp minor by Heller (a Romantic era composer)-74 plays (Current studies)
11) Melodie, Rachmaninoff-74 plays (Current studies)
12) Pas de deux-Samuel Barber-73 plays (Current studies)
13) Sonata in E minor for flute and keyboard mvt 4-Bach; 73 plays (Current Studies)
14) Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando-Phillippe Gaubert-73 plays ('Current' studies)
15)Serenade op 53, no 5-Haberbier-71 plays (Current studies)
16) Sonata in E minor for flute and keyboard mvt 2-Bach; 70 plays (Current Studies)
17) Tango Etude-Piazzolla-69 plays (Current studies)
18) MYC Rocks-69 plays
19) Allegro mvt 1 from Mozart clarinet quartet (I LOVE THIS PIECE!!!)-66 plays.
20) Sonata in E minor for flute and keyboard mvt 1-Bach; 66 plays (Current Studies)
21) John Philip Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever (Mostly because it is so energizing)-66 plays
22) Overture to Candide-Bernstein (Played it last year in Wind Ensemble)-64 plays.
23) Sonata in E minor for flute and keyboard mvt 3-Bach; 64 plays (current studies)
24) Cantabile et Presto-Georges Enesco; 64 plays (current studies)
25) Come to Jesus; 63 plays (a recording by the mom of one of my friends, and a piece that I clung onto like crazy when my mom was sick).
Like I said, quite the eclectic mix, but reflective of several important areas of my life...my piano studies, my flute studies, my life as an MYC teacher, my faith...even my obsession with M*A*S*H (which is one reason that the Allegro of Mozart is in there (long story about that).
Well...enough procrastinating on just about everything! It's 1pm and I haven't even gotten out of my pajamas yet! But...I did sleep in until 11am. Not exactly my plan! I meant to get up at 7:30. BUT...I didn't fall asleep until nearly 2am due to getting home at 11:30 last night. Oh well. More incentive to get my blood tested? Not sure. But I've had a random MYC teacher that I don't even know send me an email encouraging me to get my thyroid checked due to a random comment on the "January Blahs" message track because the way I described things sounded exactly like what she was feeling before she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. And having days like sunday for no apparent reason really isn't conducive to studying...
Such is life.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
You know you are a musician when...
You practice piano wrapped in a shawl and blanket with freezing cold hands because you know the house is warm enough even
though you are freezing (just you having trouble maintaining your body temperature)
You bring the music stand up from the basement even though stairs are NOT your best friend tonight (sending your head into a tailspin basically) because you can't practice standing up and need to have a place to put the music while you practice whilest leaning back in the comfy, favourite, antique chair.
You listen to four Mahler symphonies in one day.
Yep, that is me. Physically, today has not been amazing. I don't even really want to be sitting up, that's how tired/fatigued/whatever I am feeling, and I've had a really hard time getting/staying warm since this afternoon. I can also tell that I'm not doing so great when my knitting speed slows down on the current prayer shawl I am making. I've had a lot more frustrations with breathing today as well, although not severe. Just wishing I could get an energy shot! Adrenaline, epinephrine, norepinephrine, anything lol. Mostly joking. I know that those would provide only temporary energy and could possibly fatal if not done correctly. PLUS, no one in their right mind would do that.
Time to go play some flute. And then hopefully convince myself to take a shower. I want to, but the idea of standing up for 10-15 minutes, not to mention freezing for a couple of minutes while the water heats up (I don't get under the water, but it's not exactly warm in Canada in the winter) isn't exactly appealing. Maybe a bath, I don't know. Not sure if the tub upstairs is clean enough to do so-I haven't taken a bath in months, just showers in the downstairs bathroom. My dad has been using the upstairs shower, and I've been using the downstairs one. Oh well, things will be figured out. Maybe playing my flute will help wake me up a bit and warm me up.
though you are freezing (just you having trouble maintaining your body temperature)
You bring the music stand up from the basement even though stairs are NOT your best friend tonight (sending your head into a tailspin basically) because you can't practice standing up and need to have a place to put the music while you practice whilest leaning back in the comfy, favourite, antique chair.
You listen to four Mahler symphonies in one day.
Yep, that is me. Physically, today has not been amazing. I don't even really want to be sitting up, that's how tired/fatigued/whatever I am feeling, and I've had a really hard time getting/staying warm since this afternoon. I can also tell that I'm not doing so great when my knitting speed slows down on the current prayer shawl I am making. I've had a lot more frustrations with breathing today as well, although not severe. Just wishing I could get an energy shot! Adrenaline, epinephrine, norepinephrine, anything lol. Mostly joking. I know that those would provide only temporary energy and could possibly fatal if not done correctly. PLUS, no one in their right mind would do that.
Time to go play some flute. And then hopefully convince myself to take a shower. I want to, but the idea of standing up for 10-15 minutes, not to mention freezing for a couple of minutes while the water heats up (I don't get under the water, but it's not exactly warm in Canada in the winter) isn't exactly appealing. Maybe a bath, I don't know. Not sure if the tub upstairs is clean enough to do so-I haven't taken a bath in months, just showers in the downstairs bathroom. My dad has been using the upstairs shower, and I've been using the downstairs one. Oh well, things will be figured out. Maybe playing my flute will help wake me up a bit and warm me up.
Heart and Stroke Awareness Day 3
Heart attack symptoms in men are most commonly recognized. These include:
-Chest pain or discomfort. This may be severe or not, and has been described in many ways including fullness or pressure, squeezing, or the common 'elephant on the chest' type pain.
-Problems breathing such as shortness of breath that can lead to dizzyness or lightheadedness
-Stomach issues including nausea and stomach pain
-Pain that radiates to one or both arms, or the jaw
-Sweating, even if it is freezing cold.
Not all people experiencing a heart attack experience the same symptoms! It is important to be aware that the 'elephant on the chest' pain doesn't happen to everyone. Early treatment is VERY important, and if there are any symptoms present that just 'don't make sense', particularly in someone who has heart problems or other medical conditions, it is better to be safe than sorry and get it checked out.
-Chest pain or discomfort. This may be severe or not, and has been described in many ways including fullness or pressure, squeezing, or the common 'elephant on the chest' type pain.
-Problems breathing such as shortness of breath that can lead to dizzyness or lightheadedness
-Stomach issues including nausea and stomach pain
-Pain that radiates to one or both arms, or the jaw
-Sweating, even if it is freezing cold.
Not all people experiencing a heart attack experience the same symptoms! It is important to be aware that the 'elephant on the chest' pain doesn't happen to everyone. Early treatment is VERY important, and if there are any symptoms present that just 'don't make sense', particularly in someone who has heart problems or other medical conditions, it is better to be safe than sorry and get it checked out.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Tired day
I guess I had a busy week? At least my body today seems to think that I have had a busy week. I finished teaching my classes this afternoon and was pretty much hit with exhaustion. If I lived alone, I probably would have gone to bed at 5pm when I was trying to cook soup, and had to sit down. The soup turned out okay, I do prefer pureed types of soup or stews, but figured it was worth a try. PLUS I used the music symbol-shaped pasta that I got from a student last Christmas. I will probably never have to buy anything music-shaped again unless I stop teaching young students...
Anyways...it's frustrating that my body thinks that it should be exhausted. So tired/exhausted that eating is hard. I had a very small portion of the soup and then got a craving to make a toasted cheese sandwich (not sure why), so I did (in case anyone is wondering, it's the same as grilled cheese except that I don't put any oil/butter/margarine in the pan-it's just bread and cheese done until nicely golden-brown) but being exhausted like this makes it hard to eat even if I get a craving. My brain and blood sugar and what-not may need energy but it seems like my digestive system just shuts down-a frustrating predicament that certainly makes continuing forward on sustained work on rehabilitation/recovery from ED-NOS difficult. When eating becomes a chore, it's not fun at all. And I like cooking, but it's hard to do when you're tired and getting dizzy-ish, which I have been a lot today, even a bit during my teaching. I'll keep an eye on it, but I think it just comes with the exhaustion.
Tonight feels like a night to not move to much from my desk chair. I'm going to finish the sandwich (it's taking a while) and then do some marking, and make sure to go to bed by ten. Any earlier and my dad would probably get concerned...
Anyways...it's frustrating that my body thinks that it should be exhausted. So tired/exhausted that eating is hard. I had a very small portion of the soup and then got a craving to make a toasted cheese sandwich (not sure why), so I did (in case anyone is wondering, it's the same as grilled cheese except that I don't put any oil/butter/margarine in the pan-it's just bread and cheese done until nicely golden-brown) but being exhausted like this makes it hard to eat even if I get a craving. My brain and blood sugar and what-not may need energy but it seems like my digestive system just shuts down-a frustrating predicament that certainly makes continuing forward on sustained work on rehabilitation/recovery from ED-NOS difficult. When eating becomes a chore, it's not fun at all. And I like cooking, but it's hard to do when you're tired and getting dizzy-ish, which I have been a lot today, even a bit during my teaching. I'll keep an eye on it, but I think it just comes with the exhaustion.
Tonight feels like a night to not move to much from my desk chair. I'm going to finish the sandwich (it's taking a while) and then do some marking, and make sure to go to bed by ten. Any earlier and my dad would probably get concerned...
Heart and Stroke Awareness Day 2
Fact for today: Heart Disease (all kinds) remains the number one cause of death for both men and woman in Canada and the United States. This includes various forms of cardiomyopathy, heart attacks, and deaths during surgery to fix heart problems, and can occur at ANY age.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Heart and Stroke Awareness Day 1
February is Heart and Stroke Awareness Month. This is a cause that is, no pun intended, literally close to my heart. Each day, I will be posting facts about Heart and Stroke Awareness.
Today's fact directly affects me. Congenital Heart Defects are the most common birth defect, affecting 1 in 80 to 1 in 100 babies born every single year. These defects range from mild and not requiring treatment for years (and possibly never) to fatal within the first few days of life. I do consider myself fortunate to be on the mild end of the spectrum, dealing only with a bicuspid aortic valve and some very minor issues with some of the arteries and veins around my heart (including my aorta) being slightly off in measurement. Many babies are born with far worse including hypoplastic right or left hearts, which means that they in essence have only half a heart. Medical technology has progressed tremendously even in my lifetime of 22 years, but there is so much left to do in terms of increasing survival rates and increasing the quality of life of children and adults with the more severe forms of CHD.
I'm wearing red today to mark the first day of Heart and Stroke Awareness Month. Let's spread the word about all forms of heart disease and stroke, because knowledge is power.
Today's fact directly affects me. Congenital Heart Defects are the most common birth defect, affecting 1 in 80 to 1 in 100 babies born every single year. These defects range from mild and not requiring treatment for years (and possibly never) to fatal within the first few days of life. I do consider myself fortunate to be on the mild end of the spectrum, dealing only with a bicuspid aortic valve and some very minor issues with some of the arteries and veins around my heart (including my aorta) being slightly off in measurement. Many babies are born with far worse including hypoplastic right or left hearts, which means that they in essence have only half a heart. Medical technology has progressed tremendously even in my lifetime of 22 years, but there is so much left to do in terms of increasing survival rates and increasing the quality of life of children and adults with the more severe forms of CHD.
I'm wearing red today to mark the first day of Heart and Stroke Awareness Month. Let's spread the word about all forms of heart disease and stroke, because knowledge is power.
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