Lonely In A Crowd

Months ago my ‘first’ charitable 5k run/walk was a goal I set my mind to. Unfortunately, it will not be achieved. As of my last orthopedic appointment, I am no longer to do 5k runs or even walks. Even bicycling is months away. Due to the damage my knee has sustained as a result of the wreck, I am now limited to ADLs ONLY for the purpose of ‘saving’ not just one but both knees for as long as possible. The goal is that my knee will ‘last’ for 12 months before becoming completely immobile.

I have been very private in sharing this as it’s been very difficult to take in. Although I’m still trying to take it all in, I’ve taken to sharing this publicly in MY time. I am hoping that this will answer at least one or two of the questions that have come my way as of late that I have been reluctant, and, well honestly, not ready to answer.

For me, this was another blow to the several over the last 15 months. Another total life changing challenge, psyche change, self esteem/worth damager, along with a significant depression inducer.

I also want to thank everyone for their care, concern, worry, support, and, yes, maybe even the hugs given since learning this prognosis six weeks ago. It’s once again shown me that although I may FEEL lonely, I’m NOT alone. It is past time I said much, and now I am. THANK YOU!!

#fbf #flashbackfriday #0 #greatstrides #cysticfibrosis #greatstridesNEAR #friends #support #fundraiser #charity #run #walk #survivor #pulmonaryembolism #DVT #summer

Six months pre-PE (pulmonary embolism)

First goal of 2012. I had already lost 30 lbs in my journey to become healthier and would lose another 20 in the months that followed. Although tired, I was both happy and proud at what i had accomplished. 6 months pre PE

2014 First 5k Goal:

http://www.nfmidwest.org/event/color-me-a-cure-presented-by-alexs-angels/

Sister Strong Survivors

Celebrating Blood Clot Awareness Month by celebrating those who have been with me from the beginning of THIS recovery. Who have been your touch stones through thick and thin, dark and light, tears and laughs, anger and joy. Although just some of my “Sister Strong Survivors” and my son (of course), I celebrate ALL my fellow survivors… For you are strong, able, and loved. Remember… Life is for Living ~ Not Just Surviving…

Sister Strong Survivors (and The Kid)

Live every moment – love every day
‘cus before you know it your precious time slips away.
Live every moment – love every day
’cause if you don’t you might just throw your love away.

I walked for seven miles this mornin’. footprints in the #sand.
#Washed away without a warning when the water hit the land.
But I will #walk on ’til I can no longer stand.
I’ll take you by the #hand and we’ll…

Live every moment – love every day
‘cus before you know it your precious time slips away.

There’s #water in the #wind tonight.
There’s a #chill in the air.
It’s coolin’ down my #skin tonight
Soakin’ through your #hair.
There’s #warmth enough within’ tonight
For both of us to share.
We can take it anywhere. and we’ll…

Live every moment – love every day
‘cus before you know it your precious #time slips away.

Sometimes I wish we could take a #trip far away.
Leave all this #trouble and #heartache and pain for another day.
I will #search for that place but ’til I find it all I can say is…

#Live every moment – and #love every day

#REOSpeedwagon

Shop The Clot – J Wells Brewery Event

Lisa

Wishing I was in Colorado at my friend Lisa ‘s and her husband’s brewery tonight to help celebrate and pay forward everything she’s overcome and then the amazing achievements she’s accomplished this past year. I can honestly and wholeheartedly say that she is one of my Sister Strong Survivors who, without having met, my current recovery would not have been the same. Instead of letting me be ‘me’, she looked past that and was determined I was to be her friend and she didn’t let me stop her even though I did my best to. Despite my many warnings, massive moodiness, lengthy self imposed alone times, social ‘everything is fine’ mask wearing routine desperate attempts at not allowing anyone into the inner circle to see or know the ‘real’ me, she didn’t give up. For that, I’ll always be indebted and grateful. Congratulations!!! You deserve every moment tonight and remember… Take a moment… Breathe in…. Breathe out… REPEAT…

P.S. For all those who were concerned regarding how I would cope with recovery after my PE both mentally and physically having known how difficult it had been previously, this is one of the Sisters you should thank for the complete 180 this time. — feeling hopeful with Lisa Cowan Wells at J Wells Brewery.

Now for the shameless plug…. J. Wells Brewery didn’t end their fundraising efforts when the party did. They will continue to raise charitable funds for the National Blood Clot Alliance with a portion of their proceeds from the sales of Lisa Red Beer and T-Shirts. T-shirts can be purchased online at

I WANT MY T-SHIRT!!!

and information on how to purchase Lisa Red check out

J Wells Brewery – Boulder, CO

Lisa Red Beer T-Shirt

Also, whether you are a Survivor, family member, caregiver, or just want more information given by survivors themselves, be sure to check out the Facebook survivor group that was founded, continues to be operated, and lead by Lisa at Surviving The Silent Killer or follow the link on my Facebook page at Living~Not Just Surviving.

Serena Williams on David Letterman – Full interview, 22 August, 2013 – YouTube

Paste a Video URL

I don’t usually actually “watch” late night TV as much as listen to it while staying busy with other things, but tonight during The David Letterman Show I realized it was Ms. Williams that he was interviewing. Yes, she’s an incredible athlete, but that wasn’t what caught my attention. Here she speaks about her recent health issues and on a side note how it affected her mentally as well. Here is the link to the entire interview, but the point in case begins around the 8:25 mark. Follow this link to listen to the shorter version and begins at this point:

Royal’s Empire State of Mind

Andrew ~ Empire State Of Mind

Yeah…so proud I’m leaking out of my eyes!! He’s made it safely to NYC and I am now just waiting for the text/call letting me know he’s at the apartment that just so happened to open up two weeks early. So no couch hopping for the next 15 days either!! I gotta get a kleenex…

THIRD GENERATION SURVIVOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Related articles

• Royal’s Empire State of Mind (livingnotjustsurviving.wordpress.com)
• One Thing You Must Do In: New York City (multiplyandivide.com)
• New York, New York (humandynamics.wordpress.com)

Hospital…again

Once again I spent time away from home this week in the hospital. This time it was 5-6 clots in my lower extremities. Yes, both legs.

Just came home last evening and am still really tired. My meds have been changed and increased.

I will post more later, but just wanted to update for now.

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Posted from Willoweagle’s mobile world from my Samsung Galaxy III with WordPress for Android

Living Your Best Life While Taking Blood Thinners

Read

Blood thinners??? FOR LIFE??? I was only 19, had just given birth to my son, was experiencing my first DVT (arterial no less), and was trying to come to terms with the fact that I was going to be just like my Mom! She had suffered with numerous DVTs (at least one year) from the time I was 5 years old. I was aware of what was in store for me. There wasn’t a medical diagnosis for whatever this blood disorder was, I knew what the treatment was….RAT POISON…COUMADIN!!! I had seen what that entailed. Doctors office visits for regular INRs, changes in doseages consistently, and the bleed outs and bruising. I didn’t want anything to do with it! Then 20÷ years later, I threw yet another DVT while therapeutic. New doctor, new technology, new medication…Lovenox. I took this for a year religiously while suffering consistent sidhe effects of nausea and hair loss. Then another new medication….Arixtra. what a wonderful change. No more side effects! Instead, again while within treatment guidelines, I threw the worst and most clots ever. A pulmonary embolism saddle clot along with bilateral lower extremity DVTs. Currently I am on Xeralto, another new medication on the market, and although its only been a month, it seems to be doing its job…I hope. Here is a very good article from one of my favorite resource sites regarding living with blood thinners. What blood thinners are you on? Are you suffering from side effects? Do you get frustrated

http://www.stoptheclot.org/News/article346.htm#.USMG4JG3PJs

♥ Words To Run By ~ Meet Sara ♥

♥Meet Sara♥

Another survivor shares her story of inspiration, strength, and overcoming the challenges of living with a blood disorder.

How does she heep her wits about her? She RUNS!

I want to introduce you to Sara. A wife, a Marathon runner….A SURVIVOR!!

Sara’s Story ⇨ Survivors Share

I’m a runner, writer, dog-mom, and self-proclaimed hot sauce connoisseur.

I’m also a survivor raising awareness daily about the devestating effects of blood clots.

Words To Run By

My story is not that different than anyone else. I graduated from college, started my first real job as a child welfare caseworker – a field completely unrelated to my degree, of course. I got married on 07/07/07 and we adopted two dogs – Grace and Sadie. Back then, I would have told you I lived a great life, until I discovered – and not without a whole lot of things going really wrong first – that there is more to life and more to me. I wanted more, I needed more, but I had no idea where or with what to start. 

The Clot Must Be Fought – Our Stories

So many lives….so many stories… Other survivors share:

Our Stories @ The Clot Must Be Fought