Never mind....

So, in my last post I was feeling so incredibly yucky I said....I actually could see myself going through with fusion.Never mind!For the past month I have felt like Courtney again....(if you are reading please knock on wood).As for that whole fusion thing....I cannot think...

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Bowling balls and wet noodles...

I'm not sure what's going on lately but I feel like crap!! It's not headaches exactly that's getting me down though....headaches I can totally deal with...I have some experience in that department.   I think my head is taking on water because my head is...

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My Story and Blog Meat..

I always wonder if a new visitor comes to this site and thinks...what the hell is she talking about???...because you see the new stuff and really have no idea what the backstory is. 40% of all my visitors were new this past month...so is that 40% thinking I have no idea why she doesn't like people asking her how she is feeling... (my last post...)...

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Living through it....

It's been awhile since I updated but honestly there hasn't been much to tell. In a nutshell....Life is good.  Headaches suck. These aren't just headaches these are mini nightmares and feel like my brain is going to explode out of the back of my head....graphic..yes....

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How are you feeling?....

I keep going back and reading this post wondering what to add to make it less sad but I can't!  So before you read on.... know this.... Here's my disclaimer.... While these awful conditions are a huge part of my life...they are not my life.  There are times though...

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Not really Chiari related but....

I guess this could somehow relate to Chiari but its a stretch :) The relationship to Chiari would probably be life goes on and so do I.   Some days suck....others I feel perfectly normal.   Everyday I wonder what's coming..but life does go on.   I loved...

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It takes a licking and keeps on ticking...

So I left off (far too long ago) with news that I was going to have a cardiac ablation to fix my SVT.    How did it go you ask???.... It positively ROCKED!  Such an easy procedure to fix this annoying heart stuff I had been suffering from most of my...

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What is Chiari Malformation?

There are a gazillion sites on the web that discuss Chiari Marlformation.... Basilar Invagination is much more difficult.   But here are some web sites that have helped and a little more info on Chiari....enjoy!  This is exciting stuff :)  Mayo Clinic Wikipedia Conquer...

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What is Basilar Invagination?

I have found a few web sites that explain Basilar Invagination pretty well.   I wanted to share.... Cedars Sinai  Chiari Connection International Duke Medical Center Article by Timothy Hain    Normal MRI MRI showing Basilar Invagination and Chiari...

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.....But WAIT there's more!...

Did you know that there are studies that link Basilar Invagination and Chiari to SVT?    What is SVT you say?   What is supraventricular tachycardia? Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) means...

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My third opinion's second opinion...and I still refuse to listen :)

Procrastination has always been a skill I excel at...  I knew what I wanted to post about and even had a great image to put in this post but honestly I have felt crappy lately and a little sorry for myself. We are all entitled to a pity party now and then and my party is...

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Third or Fourth Opinion...I lost count!

Previously on my ramblings....   Courtney flew to Denver CO, had lots of tests, and stood at the top of the world...in a nutshell  My third day at the Chiari Care Center....would it be monotonous to say I will never forget this day too?  I seem to...

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Standing at the top of the world!

So, back to my story after I was so rudely interrupted by my 1 year anniversary.... I had researched and decided Dr. Oro was the way to go.   I think it is absolutely insane that I booked a plane and a hotel to go see a doctor!  It still seems crazy to me but I am...

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I have learned....

My recent facebook post goes like this.... One year ago today I was diagnosed with Chiari and BI.... I really wish I could say something positive about this whole experience but I have yet to find one...I guess I do pray more and try to let the people closest to me know I love them because I know tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone. But, overall...

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Google, my friend...we meet again...third time's a charm

Have you ever watched those mystery diagnosis shows?  I always sympathized with these people just trying to find answers that keep hitting road blocks.  It's so frustrating... I would have never guessed I'd be one of these people....but during my search for answers I came across this video... if you can spare 25 or so minutes it's pretty...

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Second opinions....sometimes suck.

So....where did I leave off?....my Wilmington neurosurgeon says you have these weird  brain things and I have no idea what to do with you. Luckily I happen to have google and know how to use it.  I was on a search to find a doctor that was not quite so overwhelmed...

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This is your brain...

 I have always had more luck explaining all this stuff through pictures.  Trying to tell someone I have a kinky brain stem doesn't always go over well :)   But I do...and it explains a lot.  The image below is that of a normal brain with a fabulously...

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Basilar invagination

Basilar invagination is a developmental anomaly of the craniovertebral junction in which the odontoid abnormally prolapses into the foramen magnum. It is often associated with other osseous anomalies of the craniovertebral junction, including atlanto-occipital assimilation, incomplete ring of C1, and hypoplasia of the basiocciput, occipital condyles,...

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Chiari Malformation (kee-AHR-ee mal-for-MAY-shun)

Who in the world decided not to pronounce this word correctly was just wanting to screw with people... I think...  If you haven't guessed by now these posts are really my back story....eventually I will be caught up.   But I think its important for anyone looking for answers. So fast forward a year between being told to "just wait and...

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