Hip, hip, hooray it’s Sunday morning and guess what we get to do? Yep, sit on the back patio with the big Sunday mug of coffee, because I already drank my Lipton tea, played Waffle with BH and cousin down in FL, then Wordle with same two and oldest niece and a dear friend. The Wordle is all my niece’s fault, she read something online about a mother and daughter playing that saved the mother’s life and she wanted to make sure we were okay, so we play these everyday. My cousin is very good at Waffle, very good, she’s up to waffletitan at 953 wins. I am definitely not that good. Her secret is to write down on a piece of paper all possible combinations. I am so not inclined to be that anal which is amazing, because I’m told that I am more anal now then before I popped my pipe!
Case in point, I’ve been back to trying to connect the downspouts to the pre existing French drain in a better look. Did they work before I got this stuck into my head? Absolutely, I think. We could not find the exit point for a very long time, still not sure we’ve found them all. I’ve got it in my brain that I no longer want the kick out (elbow) at the bottom of the spout, just straight down to the French drain. I had two done before I managed to muck up my left hand and now have two more to do before Winter comes. Doesn’t sound like much right? The first was easy smeasy, went down about two feet and was able to get the black corrugated pipe to bend properly to the spout, add another piece and done. Next one had to go down about 4’ which meant about a 4’ x 3’ x 4’ hole, not easy, we had a lot of rain before I began that one, it was early Spring. Fast forward to last week and I decided to get back to it, problem was, we hadn’t any rain. Yes, I’m still in the front flower bed, which won’t grow anything but weeds. When we bought the house, the foundation needed fixed. The company had to drill those piers down 40+ feet. Which required a back hoe to get past the foundation, which ended up losing the top soil and replacing with a mix of hardpan and subsoil. I couldn’t get the freshly sharpened shovel to go down more than a couple of inches. So what do I do? Do I get a mattock and start swinging, heck no I’m right next to a window and of course the brick, my peripheral vision is deteriorating on the right eye. Bad brain days do cause funky things to happen don’t they? I tried running the hose bib aka spigot aka outside faucet, though the proper name is hose bib just in case you’re wondering. Ask a plumber if you don”t believe.
It did help some, but we happen to be on a well. So my next alternative was to think “Hey Big Guy, help me out a little and bring some rain, why don’t you”. I also put on the plastic thumb brace and tried that. Then I added the wrist/thumb brace. Changed to wrist/thumb brace to the vet wrap (coban) and athletic tape OT taught me and then it rained! We’ve had a nice 1’ of rain since I asked for some help.
My thumb, wrist was swollen so I put on the big brace the Sports Medicine doctor gave me and went to work yesterday about an hour after our first half inch of rain stopped. I have yet to get to the point that I can satisfactorily bend the black pipe so I can get a nice easy curve and add the connectors. I hit the hardpan again and stopped. We did get another ½’ of rain so hopefully I can get it done today and carefully start the other. It’s near a gas line that has been shut off but a live electrical line. Since my brain is slower than it once was, I may have to give the thinking more time before I start.
So what does this all have to do with us, you may be asking yourself…heck if I know. But I see a correlation to what I do and what can be learned and what can be overcome. Connecting with others on a daily basis, whether it be here, online with friends and family, hopefully some actual time spent with people that you can see and touch is pretty much a requirement so we don’t isolate ourselves, we interact with those who get it and some who never will. It’s okay as long as we interact with others. The hole digging is all about asking for help, coming up with alternatives, using what we have at our disposal to keep trying. NEVER stop trying, there are always work arounds. If you come to a road block, go around it. We really don’t need to barrel through it, there are easier ways if we stop and think. I watch this older gentleman on YouTube who has a sign in his barn “Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”. Obviously, I need to do better planning. Now on to the welcomes…
@panevritmia starts us off this week from across the pond in London. Dilyana was having a sharp pain at the back of her head when exercising that didn’t go away so went and got checked out. The CT showed at least 2 brain aneurysms one being 7mm and the other 2mm. Dilyana then had a lumbar puncture to rule out any ruptures. They couldn’t examine the samples so got a MRI. The MRI confirmed no ruptures and now waiting for an appointment with a neurosurgeon Nov 5. (Yes, Dilyana’s experience isn’t what they usually do in the USA, but remember the UK has different procedures and I imagine like the USA every hospital can have different procedures. But dang that’s a lot to go through in one day and then have to wait several weeks!)
Dilyana shares that there hasn’t had been the opprotunity for a proper chat about the diagnosis. All that was said over a phone call is that the case isn’t urgent and to avoid strenuous activities until meeting with the MultiDisicplinary Team (MDT). Dilyana is going through different emotional phases, we get it! Has quit smoking! Stopped drinking alcohol but still feels with not being told the do’s and don’t life is on hold. Weight lifting has been a big part of Dilyana’s life and not being able to do that is having a big impact. Fortunately Dilyana shares that friends and family have been really supportive (huge positive), like the job, catches up with pals in free time they go to the pub, nice walks, museums or art galleries or a gig. Exercising at the gym and trying to maintain a healthy diet! I believe I could take lessons from you! How about starting a new topic under the General tab and let us know how we can help you out while you’re waiting for the appointment with the MDT?
@Kelseya28 is in the USA, Kentucky and was recently diagnosed with a 2x2mm right inferiorly projecting aneurysm in the posterior communicating artery. No family history, but is being treated for high BP and cholesterol. Kelsey is also a 1st Grade Teacher! She’s on the ball already having started a topic found here Diagnosed 9/17 unruptured brain aneurysm - #5 by DianeB. Let’s help her out folks, please and thank you!
@Sarahn265 is back across the pond in Northumberland. Sarah had a flow diverter stent and been given prasugrel along with aspirin. She had a 9mm PCOM found incidentally during an MRI for tinnitus and was treated at the RVI Newcastle. She’s a mum, a wife and a teaching assistant! Sarah we really would like to read more of your story, how about starting a new topic under the General tab?
Back to the USA with @svgala down in Florida who is one of Ben’s Friends Student Advocacy Intern and is a medical student who is going to specialize in Neurology. Shreya, you’re welcome to reply if you feel the urge and of course you can share more about yourself if you’ve a mind to under the General tab. Sharing experiences and knowledge is what we are all about here!
So really big welcome to all our new folks! Just a kindly reminder to watch the dates of the topics you reply to, try to keep them in this year of 2025. The older ones may no longer have active members for whatever reasons - people do come and go as needed which is a good thing. I like it when they come back if they’re able, lets me know they’re still walking on top of the grass and not feeding the roots if you know what I mean. Keep everything civil and kind, be respectful of different religious beliefs, etc (meaning I cannot think of the other rules right this moment and I have some digging to do)
Have a great week y’all, remember to hug someone you love to get those endorphins moving!
!