So it’s almost noon here in overcast NC, but I can still say Good Morning Y’all! Yep, I slept in really late apparently, didn’t even hear Nina bark to be fed. I did get my cuppa and a cup, actually two cups of coffee. Sadly, it’s the last of the Kona and it was four hours old. I should have gotten up earlier.
BH and I watch a few British shows of the evening. We have Prime and PBS which have them. One of the characters on one of the shows, “Queens of Mystery” mentioned a quote from Confucius that goes something like this “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” Because I’ve had a slew of what I call bad brain days, it has resonated with me all week. We all need to take one step at a time, whether we have ruptured, had an incidental find or are a Caregiver, it’s just taking a step.
As we all know, those steps can be difficult. Sometimes it’s akin to hitting our head on a brick wall (please don’t do that) or as my Dad and his brothers often said “beating a dead horse”. Sometimes it feels like we take one step forward and two back. Right now it feels like I’m sliding back pretty quickly. MRI/A scheduled for the end of the month quickly. It can happen when we rupture I’ve experienced. For folks with incidental finds, it can be difficult to take that one step forward because of all the unknowns. Not knowing something can cause a lot of trepidation and sometimes we just stop instead of taking a step forward. Caregivers can get overwhelmed with their priorities focusing around the person they provide caregiving to and not know which way to turn. Feeling boxed in, they also have difficulty knowing which direction to head.
Old Sneelock on his YouTube channel talked about the importance of rest when he was discussing his heart surgeries. Yes, I do in fact watch him quite frequently because he teaches me stuff I’ve forgotten. It’s one of my priorities for watching YouTube videos - what can I learn or relearn. He doesn’t have a large group of followers and he doesn’t use a studio or any fancy equipment but he has his lifetime of knowledge that comes across well. I’ve been pondering his suggestion of resting when needed. I do believe all of us need to rest when needed. Do you know your body’s tells? I hope so, I’m still trying to learn mine. I get overfocused on what needs to be done that I’m probably getting overwhelmed.
When we get overwhelmed, we can feel lost and not know which direction to head. I’ve gone back to my basics and write a list of what needs to be done, then I break those up into very small goals. I was reading something this week about breaking goals down into threes, one big goal, one medium and one small goal to do daily. I believe it was geared for folks with ADHD if you’ve a mind to do some searching. I may try that this week. But for now, I’m going slow, resting and trying to take just one step forward. Let’s get to the welcomes, which I’m honored to do!
@Murphy starts us out this week. Murphy is out in Colorado and received a diagnosis in September this year for an unruptured anterior communicating artery that is partly thrombosed. (I believe that means Murphy has a blood clot inside the aneurysm). Treatment has yet to be determined. Murphy also shares that they “seek to enjoy everyday as a gift living in Colorado”. What a great outlook! Hopefully we get to learn more from you, please start a new topic under the General tab!
@RachelleB is in Arizona. Rachelle has had endovascular repair with stent and coils after being hospitalized at the end of September. She had suddenly lost vision in the left eye and feeling numbness in the arm. After several tests, doctors found a cerebral aneurysm and the procedure was completed. Rachelle goes on to share this experience has completely changed her perspective. At 32 she is reminded how precious life is, grateful to be here and hopes to connect with others who understand the journey and emotions that come with it. Rachelle you have certainly found folks who understand both the journey and the emotions, happy to have you. Please start a new topic under the General tab so we can help support you better, it is what we are all about.
@annieo497 is also out west, in Oregon. Annie has an incidental find of a 5mm aneurysm in the basilar artery. Treatment is undecided at this point. Annie shares she is a ukulele player and a happy camper! Come talk with us Ms. Annie, just start a new topic under the General tab. I do have to admit, I have an image of a VW bus with flower power, love and peace signs on it when I read the ukulele and happy camper bit 
@Hallowed is in the Midwest up in Illinois. Jason had a routine doctor appointment two days ago and mentioned his having headaches, dizziness and neck pain. His Doctor sent him for a CTA thinking it may be a blood clot or aneurysm in his neck. They found a 2mm aneurysm at the junction of the left A1 and A2 which I think is the Anterior Communicating Artery (ACoA aka ACom). Please correct me if I’m wrong. Jason shares he is also a father of 5, his oldest is 24 and he loves music and food! Welcome Jason! If you start a new topic under the General Tab, we can get to help you and learn more about you!
That’s our newest members for the week! It is now officially afternoon here in NC where the sun is trying to break through the overcast sky. Please remember to help each other out, be kind to everyone, we don’t judge, and we don’t give medical advice. For new (and old members) if you have any problems with the site, reach out to me, your friendly moderator @Moltroub or the very kind folks @ModSupport and one of us will help out. Hope you all enjoy the new updated site, I like it! Remember we are in different time zones so be patient. Also make sure to stay within the more current topics. If you reply to an older topic, I will thank you, as I’m supposed to close them, not on my priority list. I will also suggest you start a new topic so the people who are still active will hopefully respond.
Have a great week, take one step forward, hug the ones you love (increases endorphins). I’m ending this with John Denver, Mark Lindsay, Matt Kearney and Brett Eldridge in my brain it seems. Who are all singing about the States today in case you didn’t know.