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 it really has sucked. Still, I hope to celebrate this anniversary next year. Maybe I will have something inspiring to say about it then. :)  

I started thinking and I guess there are some positives that have come of this.   So I guess I'm counting my blessings here...

I pray a lot more.. If I live through this or die trying I know He will be with me every step of the way.   I am at peace with whatever way He chooses. 

I have reached out to family I never knew I had...called family that I hadn't seen in decades!...why?   Because if you don't do this important stuff now you may never get a chance. 

I created my family tree complete with pictures and stories because if I didn't and I leave this planet with all these memories in my head there will be no one to carry it on.   My grandma and grandpa have passed and I would give almost anything to sit and talk with them again...just once to get those memories to share with future generations.  

I have learned....

....My grandma's sisters daughter has Chiari 1 too!  Crazyness! I have been told it runs in families....turns out it does. 

....lots of new brain words and know how to use them :)  NOT only do I know them, I can spell them!  That is the kicker because I can't spell worth a crap

....how to read an MRI scan and can show you how to use the McGregor's line and Chamberlain's line.  

I've learned Dr. Oz is actually pretty smart and peppermint oil does actually get rid of Chiari headaches (more often than not)...ice packs help....water helps....sitting up straight helps....water helps.....not bending over helps.....Potassium, B12,and Calcium helps.   Did I mention water helps?  :)   I can stress it enough.  60% of all headaches (Chiari or other) are related to dehydration.  

So if you have a headache guzzle a Gatorade before popping the Advil.  Taking lots of medication for a headache is like begging for another one!  Rebound headaches come back because the underlying cause wasn't addressed.  

....that life is way too short to freak out over little things....this one I still struggle with.  I am the parent of a teenager though...I love her dearly but there are a lot of little things. :)

Gosh I'm sure there is more but for the life of me I can't think of any....OH!!  I started a blog :)   That is very cool. 

So,  there have been some good that have come out of this whole crazy thing.   Not that I would give everything back that I learned if I could trade them...but my glass is half full and I'll take what comes.