Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Quiet Quitting

This buzz term is popular in 2023. What is it? What does it mean to you?

There are two schools of thought. Some believe it to mean divorcing your ego from what you do for a living and not striving for perfection. Setting boundaries and simply doing what needs to be done but not allowing yourself to fall victim of workaholism. A trap of making yourself available at all times to work that doesn’t serve your greater purpose; that which doesn’t support your mental health, your family, or your physical health and wellbeing.

The other philosophy about this phenomenon or trend really is giving up…quietly. Is it self indulgent? Is it passive aggressive? I suppose it could mean any or all of the above depending on the circumstance.

I’ll tell you what I think (it’s my blog after all). If it’s work related, I think this can be healthy. I think balance is important. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t define this as doing a job half-assed or mediocre. I don’t define it as blaming others. I don’t define it as poor customer service. But doing your job well while setting boundaries and knowing work is only a part of you, not your worth, that I can get behind. It doesn’t define you.

That said, what if it’s about your health. Specifically your weight. Have you given up? Have you tried so many things you’ve accepted being overweight? It “runs in the family” so change isn’t possible? I’ve waited too long. I’m too old. I’m too far gone. I can’t. I don’t know how. I’m embarrassed. I’m ashamed to ask for help. What’s the point? Or the worst in my opinion…and this is going to ruffle some feathers…. is telling yourself its body positivity. You lie and tell yourself that you are confident and “like yourself the way you are”. That’s a bad space to be in. I want you to love yourself while knowing it’s not healthy. While seeking help. While striving for change.

I also know that somewhere in the deep nooks and crannies of your inner voice, you want this. You see my posts. Could I try? Maybe I should reach out.

I’ve helped a lot of people lose a lot of weight. Some only 10 pounds….others 110 pounds. Some teenagers. Some in their 70’s. Some…actually A LOT of middle-aged. Especially women. Hormones are not for the faint of heart.

So what is it you want…deep down. You love your family and friends and they kinda want you around. Show up. Show up to your life again.

I want you to message me right now. You don’t have to comment on my post. Reach out directly. I’m not here to judge. Life is hard but being healthy makes it a lot more enjoyable. (It’s ok if you don’t want to start until January. I get it. BUT these discounts right now are worth reaching out THIS MONTH.)

Posted on by A Laughing Matter

Next Steps

Yesterday I took Katie back to Vanderbilt for a follow-up. We had hoped her PET Scan/EEG would have given more comprehensive data but her condition and prior surgeries make the test difficult to pinpoint anything. We knew this may be the case but I was hoping we might get lucky. As suspected her right frontal lobe isn’t firing as it should. Her case was discussed at conference. Conclusion: More data needed. More testing

Next steps are for the pediatric neurosurgeon and the adult neurosurgeon need to connect after spring break but most likely we are looking at a stereo EEG. This is a more invasive EEG to better pinpoint where the seizures a generating from.

On a fantastic note, She has not had a seizure in 3 1/2 weeks. What a relief. We had gotten back to a place of 20-30 per day so this has been a nice break. A part of me wanted the neurologist to say, “Let’s just put things on hold for now.”But we know the big picture. We have seen time and time again over the past 15 years that she will have a honeymoon period after a procedure or med change. Sometimes they last a few months. Sometimes they last a few years. It is what it is. The RNS procedure is mostly likely going to be what changes her outlook longterm. We are pressing forward and hoping to get the next testing in another month or so.

Today is day three of Spring Break. The boys are working so it’s just me and my shadow. We always have a love/annoy relationship going but after a day long rode trip…..she is on my last nerve. God love her. Bless her heart. Bless my heart. God help me. 5 hours in the van. All day. She napped on the way so lucky me. Headphones in. Crime podcast on. One the way back….not so lucky. She loves to lean forward and pull my hair or pull my seatbelt and try to choke me out. It’s real. All the while laughing hysterically. The other annoyance is she constantly wants to change out her DVD. She has a couple CD holders to organize them and she will flip through and perch the next movie on my shoulder to change it out. It’s like driving with a monkey.

So that’s the scoop. No fun Spring Break for us but hopefully we have lots of seizure free days coming. If you want to read more about her next text click the link below.

Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG)

SEEG is the surgical implantation of electrodes into the brain in order to better localize the seizure focus. At UPMC, we use robotic assistance with ROSA® to accurately and efficiently place the electrodes for seizure mapping. Dr. Gonzalez was the first epilepsy surgeon in the US to offer SEEG and has performed over 1000 cases. He is also a pioneer of robotic-assisted neurosurgery, which improves accuracy and shortens surgery time.

https://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/centers/epilepsy/seeg

Posted on by A Laughing Matter

More Testing

This morning we drove to Vanderbilt children’s hospital. They hooked Katie up to an EEG and then did a metabolic PET scan of the brain. She did well. She always starts getting upset when someone comes in and puts gloves on. She got a quick EEG first and then they gave her an IV to administer the tracer. This is what shows at a cellular level how her brain is functioning.

After we headed to the cafeteria and got her the pizza that she’s been asking for all day. She wasn’t allowed to eat after midnight. I would have been seriously hangry and cranky myself.

I’m not sure how long it will take to get results back. I foresee the next level of testing will be several days in the hospital.

Thank you all for the comments, prayers and well wishes.

Here’s a bit of information about this test. Not an exciting read but I tried to just reference how the test is used for the brain; though this test is used for many other conditions.

What Is a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan?

A PET scan is an imaging test that lets your doctor check for diseases in your body. The scan uses a special dye containing radioactive tracers. Certain organs and tissues absorb the tracer and help your doctor see how well your organs and tissues are working.

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that allows your doctor to check for diseases in your body.

The scan uses a special dye containing radioactive tracers. These tracers are either swallowed, inhaled, or injected into a vein in your arm depending on what part of the body is being examined. Certain organs and tissues then absorb the tracer.

When detected by a PET scanner, the tracers help your doctor to see how well your organs and tissues are working.

The tracer will collect in areas of higher chemical activity, which is helpful because certain tissues of the body, and certain diseases, have a higher level of chemical activity. These areas of disease will show up as bright spots on the PET scan.

The scan can measure blood flow, oxygen use, how your body uses sugar, and much more.

A PET scan is typically an outpatient procedure, which means you can go about your day after the test is finished.

In the United States, around 2 million PET scans are performed each year, according to Berkley Lab.

Why is a PET scan performed?

Your doctor may order a PET scan to inspect your blood flow; your oxygen intake, or the metabolism of your organs and tissues. PET scans show problems at the cellular level, giving your doctor the best view of complex systemic diseases.

PET scans are most commonly used to detect:

• cancer

• heart problems

• brain disorders , including problems with the central nervous system.

Brain disorders

Glucose is the main fuel of the brain. During PET scans, tracers are “attached” to compounds such as glucose. By detecting radioactive glucose, the PET scan can show which areas of the brain are using glucose at the highest rates.

When a specialist interprets the scan, they can see how the brain is working and check for any irregularities.

How does the PET scan compare to other tests?

PET scans show metabolic changes occurring at the cellular level in an organ or tissue. This is important because diseases often begin at the cellular level. CT scans and MRIs cannot reveal problems at the cellular level.

PET scans can detect very early changes in your cells. CT scans and MRIs can only detect changes later, as a disease alters the structure of your organs or tissues

Posted on by A Laughing Matter

A Covid Thanksgiving!

I’ll give you an easy out….this post is in good humor but I do mention Covid and Biden and even the Bible (WHAT?!) So if that offends you, off you go. The rest of you, have fun. I think we all need a laugh right now.

So I had my boobs checked today. Very important but equally uncomfortable at the same time. As I waited in my tiny changing room for Jessica AKA The Boob Crusher to come get me, I wrote a little poem. (Interestingly, I do a lot of writing at doctor offices and hospital rooms. That’s where I wrote Dream Big Henry!” Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is next week.

What’s Thanksgiving mean to you? For many of us, Thanksgiving usually includes feasting, four-day weekends, football, stretchy pants and a drunk Uncle. Oh and some quality time with our family and friends. For me, it’s also the gateway to Christmas festivities. You may now put up the tree and lights…..or turn on the ones you didn’t take down last year. Either way, proceed.

According to lore, Thanksgiving began as the celebration of a bountiful harvest. It was – and still is – a time to reflect and give thanks through a meal shared with friends and loved ones.

How does the Bible weigh in? This is possibly the best way to look at Thanksgving for 2020. I think we all need to hear this:

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Disclaimer: As we approach the holidays please continue to make good choices. Wear masks, wash your hands and don’t get right up in people’s space. Other than that, despite what any politician or the like tells you……there is not a single other thing you can do right now. So please, spend time with your family and be grateful for the time with them as you meditate on all your many blessings. Don’t stay home alone. It is a proven fact that we need fellowship. It’s a part of our DNA. We need each other. I fear any leader that says the opposite. That said, take a breather and stop being afraid to live. Like it or not, this is going to be around for a while. (If I’m raising your blood pressure, why have daycares been open this entire time?…hmmm. How much closer can you get to a petri dish than a daycare? Points to ponder. But yes, widespread fear in panic is where it’s at.)

Now to the fun part, after all that introduction….I didn’t write a thesis or anything novel-worthy. Just a poem. A poem written pre-mammogram in a tiny gown. A poem for you. A poem for me. A poem to be read in the cadence of Santa Claus in Coming to Town.

Ohhhhh......You better watch out,  you better not shout,
the Covid police are all about.
Biden's sending them to your home.

They see you when you're eating, they know you're having fun.
They know you can't make decisions, so he'll tell you how it's done.

Oh, wear that mask and wash those hands,
you thought you made Thanksgiving plans.
Biden's coming to ruin your day...."Come on man."

When Grandpa starts the carving and wants to say amen,
it better not be a turkey....
But just a little hen.
They recommend you zooming and staying home alone.
You may as well build that bunker, and sit your ass at home.

All kidding aside, I'm just having fun.
This year please remember, it's been quite the one.
So do your day as you wish,
and eat your favorite dish.
But don't forget to close the blinds,
Because the dems recommend that we snitch. (look it up)
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com