"I had a what now?!"

The neurologist I was finally referred to was Dr. Benavente who I was scheduled to see at the Stroke Prevention Clinic at VGH yesterday.

First thing I am handed is a clipboard with paperwork to fill out and this brochure from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. This made me laugh and tear up just a wee bit at the same time. I'm thinking "I had a what now?" and "why do they look so happy?" and "I had a what now?" and "open brochure and read it girl". And my handy dandy mantra to calm me down "breathe..."

And without further ado, here's all the medical jargony details of what my head has been through lately, summarized to the best of my ability from the notes I took during my appointment.

First of all, my aneurysms are fusiform, and these rarely rupture so surgery is not usually ever needed. Great! So happy they are not saccular which have a bigger risk of rupturing and definetly require treatment.

He said there is likely no chance of my aneurysms ever bursting, though when I pressed him on what could happen if they did (since it is possible), he said it would be paralysis or some other scary outcome, as they are at the base of my brain where it joins the spinal cord (below the skull cap). But they are the kind of thing you can be born with and live a long and healthy life with, so I just told him I'm gonna hold him to that "there is no worry of them rupturing" and now you all know where to find him if he's wrong. ;P

Try relaxing while waiting 30 min
next to a poster like this. Ischemic.

He and the neurosurgeon (Dr Gooderham) believe the new headaches I began experiencing in February have likely been due to Reversable Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS). Apparently there are a cluster of diagnoses, such as the onset of my 'migranous vasospasm' that are lumped under one syndrome, with various causes but a temporary change in blood flow as a common symptom. Mine likely due to an increase in my blood pressure combined with my migraine, post-concussive and pituitary history.

Add in my potential for blood clotting and an irregular heart rate and we have the perfect storm which led to a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). Otherwise known as a mini-stroke.

Yay! More freakin acronyms for me to try to remember and learn all about. Joy.

Keep calm and carry on. Ha!

But really - joy! I have not suffered from a brain bleed, or any apparent neurological damage, and the aneurysms I have happen to be the kind that rarely burst so surgery on my cranium is not needed. And I was in a stroke prevention clinic, which means I am receiving care to help keep me here. Joy.

This is serious business and a sign it was time for me to make changes in my life to reduce stress, and I'm glad that I already have. I'm on track to avoiding a genuine brain attack. It's scary to read all this stuff warning me I'm in danger of another stroke (still in shock I had the first one and thankful it was a mini), but reassuring because it is all about lowering my risk of that ever happening again. Who needs roller coasters when your brain gives you this up and down loop-dy-loop existence?

So now what? Dr. B has prescribed another calcium channel blocker that should prevent the headaches from starting, since it's obvious the pain relievers don't work to stop pain once it starts, as well as aid in reducing my blood pressure. ahhhh. Great idea! Within a month I should notice a difference and be back to the migraines, and other headaches I'm used to living with.

The follow ups in my future are with my family doc at the end of June, Dr. B in 3 months and a visit with Dr. G and an MRI screening next spring. Other appointments as needed.

I am already working on my list of new questions to ask the docs when I see them next, so if any of this has questions popping up for you, please feel free to share them with me and I will add them to my list.

Should I experience any bad symptoms such as weakness in limbs, trouble speaking, vision problems, any new head pains I can't identify or another explosive pain and/or dizziness, I need to head straight to ER to have checked out. This is a good choice for everyone actually. If any of you experience a sudden onset of these symptoms you should probably get yourself to the ER too...you could be having a stroke! Better to be safe than sorry.

Another tip of the hat to our public health care system (a big reason we are not destitude from medical bills!) and a moment to draw your attention to the Canadian Health Coalition campaign to #Stand4Medicare and implement a new health accord for Canada.  Did you know the federal health accord expired and negotiations between the federal and provincial governments have stalled? Visit healthcoalition.ca to learn more, sign petition, and find other ways to take action to stand up for our national health care system today!

Now that I am deeply aware of the severity of my blood pressure and risk for full on stroke, I'm gonna turn those odds around! Time for a cleanse and continued focus on health. Keep on keeping on with that deep breathing, relaxing, having fun, and enjoying life stuff. Hugs a plenty! :D

i am canadian

Now tell me...is this the face of a child who is happy to be in a bouncy castle? Poor girl. Sasha wasn't feeling quite herself on Canada Day, and when we first arrived she just wanted to putter with sand on the slide and sit quiely for a bit.

Our destination on the 1st was Kensington Community Centre for another turn as the emcee for the days festivities. I love the opportunity to catch up with my friends and neighbours from our old neighbourhood, and after some hot dogs, and the presence of more and more children, Sasha eventually perked up and had a bunch of fun before heading home with Mark for nap time.

Another day full of entertainment between local musical talent, performances showcasing the talent of community members enroled in programs such as dance, martial arts and capoeira, and clowns to engage the little ones in some fun and magic. A giant new grill for Jack and Brad to grill their dogs, and volunteers aplenty helping to create another amazing day for those who came out for the sunshine.









This year we had visits from all of the local politicians as well. Stuart Mackinnon and Raj Hundal represented the park board commissioners, Don Davies the area MP and Mable Elmore who is the local MLA all had their quick turn at the mic between performances and shmoozed with the crowd as well. Not a relaxing day for politicians (if ever there are any) as each of them I spoke with were on their 2nd event of the day at least, and on their way to another...and another. Hope they were all still smiling by the end of the day, hehe.


As the day progressed the crowds grew and this year turned out to be the biggest so far! Along with the BBQ goods, there was arts & crafts, facepainting, parachute games, an activity with the scouts and pottery for kids. Plus the beautiful pottery items made by the pottery club that are always a nice to splurge on.







Of course no Canada Day would be complete without singing our national anthem (Banita was a little girl when I met her and now she is a beautiful young lady with the voice of an angel. not just a biased opinion...really really lovely job singing!!) and eating yummy cake! Happy birthday to our country, which I believe to be one of the best places on earth. I have the luck to have been born here, and despite all the things we could keep improving upon as a nation (I know, the list is long), I am always aware of the luxory I have as a citizen raised here and feel fortunate that Sasha will grow up here as well :)

The staff, board members and other volunteers really work hard to make Canada Day a great festival event and I think I have the easy job - show up and talk a lot. lol! I actually have come to realize that I'm rather good at keeping things running on time, and winging it when things go awry (as is prone to happen with community events from time to time, hehe) all while keeping the folks entertained in between. I am very much full of gratitude to everyone who helped me to identify many strengths I never knew I had 'til they made me try them out - such as emceeing...I did it once and they dubbed me their mc for life they liked it so much! Great confidence booster ;P

After 4 years as the Kensington emcee I may pass the mic on to a new host next year. I love it, and am sure i'll have some strong persuasion tactics from Dianna, Brad, Virginia and Bev who have kept me coming back so far (i love 'em for their faith in me)...but I'm longing to take the things I learned in that community - helping out at Che's school, organizing events in the local park with my neighbours and as an association board member at our local centre - and find ways to get more involved in our new community. (Aside from our time spent within our co-op) And our new neighbourhood has many events that I'd like to get involved with...perhaps even emcee some too.

For this year, it sure was good to be back among friends...and I'll see them again later in the month when I get to emcee the Jones park family fun day :D