I apologize for being absent for a bit with updates. Life has been a bit busy lately. I’ve been trying to process and balance everything, but I’m not doing so well at it. To summarize…
Last week, I attended a Bright Ideas Camp for TBI clients, which aims to help participants improve their quality of life after traumatic brain injuries. I interacted with students and faculty to learn and explore ideas that will help me overcome some of my difficulties.
I really wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from the camp. I went hoping to learn more about how to overcome the exercise intolerance among other things since the lightning strike injuries. I know that I have come a long way in my recovery, but I also know I still have more work ahead of me.
I was privileged to be reunited with the professor, Dr. Blair Saale, who initially agreed to help by providing some physical therapy I had begged my PCPs for. She was amazed and delighted to see how much I’ve progressed in the last four years.
Additionally, I had the incredible honor of being matched with a great group of students from audiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy (Halee, Kailee, Autumn, Amber, McKenzie, and Maranda). I tried hard to recall their names, but their names might not be spelled correctly. 😉
I discovered a lot about myself in addition to TBI facts and strategies for adjusting and simplifying daily tasks and living. I’m still trying to cipher through all the data. I’m exhausted and hurting more than usual, but I expected it.
I was also able to meet the executive director of AHIF, Scott Powell. I shared with him my testimony of how I received my brain injury and was able to put him in contact with one of the administrators of the Lightning Strike and Electric Shock Survivors International group in hopes that they could join forces to help others in the future.
https://www.lightning-strike.org
Once I get the information received assessed and more organized, I hope to upload it to my blog.
As for my current BC treatments, I took a month off to get the last aromatase inhibitor out of my system. I’ll be starting the next one soon. I’m hoping I won’t have any negative side effects. I’m having a little difficulty shedding the extra weight the last medicine made me gain.
I’m currently in lymphedema therapy to help reduce the swelling and discomfort in my left arm and hand. The therapist remeasured my arm and informed me that I needed a larger compression sleeve.
I have an oncology follow up appointment in August to see how I’m responding to the new aromatase inhibitor. It’s a relief not to have to go to the doctors every three weeks, although at times it felt like it was every week.
I’m incredibly grateful to God for placing people in my path who are eager to support me as I work toward recovery. The opportunities to be a light for God have been incredible, overwhelming, mind-blowing, and humbling.
I pray that my journey will continue to help others find joy, hope, and faith. Life is hard. Kindness, courage, and love will help you prosper.
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
