Good Morning to all! We’ve had a bit of much needed rain again this week, so increased humidity and we are still hot though a few temps lower than before. I still find it amazing that the older homes I have lived in were much cooler than the newer ones, even without air conditioning. We have arched windows over the front and back doors with a house that faces East. The Earth has turned and the dang sun gets to a point where it shines through the back arch and straight to where I sit in the evening after we eat. I did finally figure out to put a bath towel over one of the doors that goes into the sun room so I wouldn’t have to keep my right eye closed in order to keep my brain processing information. Eventually I will need to get up on a ladder to take measurements and get black out drapes for the dang thing. Cheaper than trying to find a brick mason to brick it up. Mason’s are very hard to find, good masons almost impossible around us.
We’ve been having a hummingbird visit us every day for a couple of weeks now, maybe more. He gets a bit braver and closer each day and hovers long enough to say Good Day! I’ve needed that positive as we’ve been under a bit of stress, too much stress lately. It’s just increased for BH who was diagnosed with PTSD due to my rupture. I didn’t get the diagnosis, the Psychologist said I had a good amount of tools in my tool chest to deal with stressors. He also thought it may have something to do with genetics, but the skills (tools) definitely are a big help.
BH is retired and no longer has work as an outlet to get away from reality so to speak. Besides the high probability of me having one or another surgery for my hand, the aneurysm that’s growing, family issues on my side, we have to deal with Nina’s cancer. She won’t be long in this world and we are sad, very sad. She had to spend the night at the clinic and Ohana was upset. BH is having flashbacks of when I was in NSICU and having to deal with Trouble at the same time. BH was not going to put her down while I was in NSICU and my neurosurgeon told BH not to tell me if she died. Both were afraid that I would stop fighting they told me later. I literally told the ER Vet that our Vet would have the honor of putting her down. I had no affect at the time and it shook him up. Trouble had been to the ER several times as she would get into everything. Of course it was usually after the regular clinic had closed for the day or on weekends. She also had two knee surgeries which were done there by the original owner of the clinic and he was there during that time.
We also need to travel to TX hopefully dependent on when my hand surgery is scheduled. The great nephew who died in the motorcycle accident is having his celebration of life. My niece and her husband would love to have us there, I asked. Why would I ask? Well it’s a very long story but suffice it to say I do not get along with my big sister. We talked to my oldest niece who told us she is paying for my sister’s room at a hotel. BH has found another hotel for us to stay at, as our relationship is that bad. I am still trying to figure out if I can be on the pain medication and take my anti anxiety prn med. I won’t know until I do it and I for sure have to put on my big girl panties.
Before I ruptured, this would have been a no brainer. But rupturing changed me and I have issues now that I never thought of prior. How many of us have had to let go of family members that create chaos in our lives? That just don’t get it because we don’t have that broken bone with a cast on it to show others something that they can understand? The members who only used FB or some other venue that doesn’t give the information needed to understand nor bother to just do decent internet searches. The family members who are self centered and get upset because it’s not about them? Oddly enough, or maybe not, my role in my family changed after I ruptured. I was the one that stopped the fighting and chaos. I do not have the energy nor ability for it anymore, if I did I would have been able to return to work. I am concerned that I will react and not act. BH is my anchor but with the PTSD rearing its ugly head, I want to be the anchor that is needed. So again, a need to put my big girl panties on. We’ve been doing some open and honest communication but I need to try harder as BH keeps falling down the well. Not as deep as it could be, just concerning for me. If I can step up to the task of leading us out of this stress, life will be good. I will have to start with something simple, cleaning the house will be a good start. Did you know that a messy disorganized home can be a great indicator of things not right in the family unit? It can speak volumes to depression or even up to some type of abuse going on. So if you’re feeling angst, look around and see if you can tidy up one section of your home. We had a member, @ronk who years ago did a topic of being overwhelmed with clutter and how to do handle it found here Are you like me and clutter faster than you de-clutter?-lol . I did close it today but if anyone wants to, they are more than welcome to start a new one.
We also have another member who has started a new topic Are there any signs before a rupture happens? - #3 by FinWhaleFan please help @Ralf out. Now on to our welcomes…
@pantera3323 is up in the Niagara region. Pam shares she had headaches, focal migraines, dizziness, feeling unwell in her head on and off for months. It eventually led her to the ER, had a CT scan with contrast and they found two aneurysms in the Internal Carotid Artery (ICA). Her surgeon, Dr. Elad Levy at UB neurosurgery will be doing a flow diverter on the larger one first. Pam is nervous as she puts it, “it will jail the PCoA” and the possible reactions to just having the angiogram. Pam asks if anyone else has had a bad feeling before endovascular surgery. Pam what a great topic, please start a new one under the General tab! We’d love to help you out!
@Bakerbaker is in the Pacific Northwest. Carolyn was diagnosed with two ICA aneurysms when her ENT investigated her pulse tile tinnitus in the left ear. Her situation was complex due to having a tortuous artery and some narrowing. Carolyn says she’s two days out from having a flow diverter placed on 3 August 2026! Wow! What a great story! Glad you have a really good ENT, come talk to us…
@Micaa66 is down in Florida. Mike shares that three weeks ago he had pain behind his right eye. Mike’s ENT suggested a CT scan. The results came back on the 6th of August and it showed an unruptured 12mm saccular A1 segment aneurysm. Another story of a great ENT! Would love to read more…
Just start a new topic under the General tab, click on the +Add New Topic box and fill in the parameters. If you run into any issues with the site, please reach out to me, @Moltroub or the kind folks who make up @ModSupport and one of us will help you out. We cover different time zones so be patient in response time. We are all volunteers. ModSupport does cover the other support groups that make up Ben’s Friends. I’m on in the mornings for the most part. We are very happy you’ve all joined us, welcome!
For the existing members who continue to impress me sharing experience and knowledge, I can’t thank you enough (again) It’s you, everyone of you, who chose to share your time that makes this a great support group! Big hugs to you all!
Have a great week everyone. Please experience and acknowledge at least one positive a day, remember to practice your relaxation breathing, stay hydrated, and eat healthy proteins! Until we meet on the topics!