I
learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over
it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who
conquers that fear.
Nelson Mandela
I was reading a blog about Nelson Mandela's life and came across this quote of his. It hit close to home and I wanted to post about it for a few reasons.
1. I can't tell you how many times I have heard someone say how brave I was going through this. Not once have I ever actually felt brave or courageous...but I have felt like I have no choice to make the best of the hand that has been dealt to me. Maybe that's courage...but it sure doesn't feel like it. I am terrified of this.
2. While I can't see a lot of info on who is visiting my site, I can see sometimes what brought them here. One search term caught my eye.... life expectancy Basilar Invagination. I googled this many years ago and know all too well the helpless feeling of typing those words. My heart broke for that person... Whoever they are you are in my prayers and you ARE brave for facing that search...its not an easy one to face.
3. I have a friend that is going through something as odd as the things I am going through...hers are weird brain issues too and just as unexplainable. She too makes the best of this life that keeps throwing curve balls. I admire that in her and can see her courage in her journey since I am on the outside looking in. She will know who she is if she is reading this...and I hope she knows I pray for her daily.
We will get through this.... I will be damned if this thing will beat us without putting up a fight.
Now on to BI... did you know that the largest population of BI occurance is in India? I read several articles on this recently and am keeping my eyes on the Indian medical community. If this is more prevalent there than anywhere else....I betcha the innovative medical procedures to help patients with this condition will come from there. They are pretty smart there too..My heart surgeon is from there I believe and I adore him!... I have high hopes for them :) I read one medical university does on average one BI reconstruction a quarter....that is HUGE!
Here is a excerpt (and a link) to one of the articles in case you are interested.
Read more here
"Basilar invagination is significantly common in India and in the Indian subcontinent. Even in India, there is a disproportionately high incidence in north-western belt of the country. No genetic factor has been identified that could explain the discrepancy in incidence. Our understanding in the subject suggests that muscular weakness of the neck due to protein-calorie mal-nutrition might be the key initiating factor in providing a foundation of instability that leads to formation of abnormality of basilar invagination. Poor delivery practices and excessive use of forceps may have a role in initial injury to the craniovertebral junction muscles and initiation of the process of basilar invagination. Degeneration of the spine in general and craniovertebral junction in particular can lead to instability and subsequently to basilar invagination. Some workers had related lifting of heavy weights on the head to spinal degeneration. Deficiency in specific vitamins has also been incriminated to be causative."
I'll post more if I read anything new on this...but it's promising and doctors are paying attention.
I found a few more things.... I heart slideshare...you can find nearly as much on there as you can google. Imagine a place full of powerpoint slideshows for anything you could possibly think of...its fabulous!!
This one below was uploaded a week ago...
Here is a link to a recently uploaded slideshow regarding BI. I learned a few things from it and saw some shocking MRI images...(not like gross shocking...but way way worse than me shocking)
Go here to view all the presentations uploaded regarding BI within the past year...some are very interesting.
So, yeah...lots of links and the great Mandela is all I have this time.
An update on me...if I would remember to drink and actually took time to take care of myself I would be perfect-o...but I have really sucked at both lately and feel it. There doesn't seem to be enough time in the day and I am always focused on something else...therefore forgetting to drink and or workout...sleep...eat right...eh...basically the things that keep me functioning like a normal human. So my new years resolution...take time and remember my rules to live by.
Things aren't awful...just headaches and eye issues but both are preventable and I am too hard headed to take my own incredibly awesome advice!!
Till next time!!
Courtney
