7.19.2009

Writing101

Today I came across the "Ten Steps to Better Writing":

  1. Write.
  2. Write more.
  3. Write even more.
  4. Write even more than that.
  5. Write when you don’t want to.
  6. Write when you do.
  7. Write when you have something to say.
  8. Write when you don’t.
  9. Write every day.
  10. Keep writing.
In my childhood and teenage years I wrote all of the time, but as an adult I've moved away from it. Sure, I have my times where I find myself writing stories from my childhood and other experiences I've had, but I've not been consistent with it.

Now is not the best time to make a pledge to try to write everyday, considering my right hand is in a splint from carpal tunnel surgery. But there was a time when I was younger that I dreamed of being a writer. Not my main career, and not something I saw myself accomplishing at this age, but something I thought I might like to do when I was older.

Where is all of this coming from? A blog I read often had the question "What did you want to be when you grew up, and did you accomplish it?" I wanted to be lots of things growing up: Brain surgeon, fabric cutter, painter, graphic design artist, pathologist, radiologist, clarinetist, historian, a (good) politician, business owner, a marketing genius...see where this is going? It explains why I didn't jump into college right away, that's for sure. My head and soul were dragging me in 100 different directions. But the one thing that was consistent was that I wanted to be a writer. I loved books as a child, and would read several a week. I aspired to be like those authors whose books took me on a journey and placed me in their world. So to answer the blogger's question, no, I have not accomplished what I wanted to be.

My life has taken interesting directions these 33 years, and while I actually had several poems and short stories published while in school in local and national publications, I have yet to achieve that dream in an adult capacity. Don't look for my name anywhere in the near future, but someday...maybe. In the meantime I have to get my hand to heal, my life together, and all the stories floating around in my head sorted out and into written word. Are there other things I'd like to accomplish with my life? Of course. But this is the one thing that I've dreamed of since I was six, and I figure with the interesting course my life has taken it has to be for some purpose. And maybe the purpose involves the written word, be it electronic or on paper. I won't be picky.

7.01.2009

A Great Day After All

Yesterday most of my day sucked. Everything that could go wrong did. But at the end of all of it, I received such great news that it was worth everything I had been through not only that day, but this whole year - my platelet count is back to normal. While in February, before I have the IVC filter (made of nickel, which I'm allergic to) removed from a major artery, my count was 9,000. Going back through my personal files, I had not had a normal platelet count since at least 2006. But yesterday my count was 190,000. The surgeon thought the lab messed up, knowing my history, and requested a recount. The recount showed 194,000.

So as of June 30, 2009, I have platelets again. More importantly, I'm in normal range; minimum is 150,000.

I try not to talk about health on this blog as that is what my FailedADR blog is for, but it was too good of news not to share on both. Some friends are only aware of this one, so I thought I would post the good news here, too.

It seems like such a little thing, but I cannot describe what that number means to me. Many doctors have given me complete and blatant disrespect and attitude regarding my symptoms and have brushed off the horrible pain I'm in, but blood work can't lie. Having this number go back to normal is huge, because it supports the theory I've had for years that I had an allergic reaction to the artificial disc put in back in 2005. My body fought itself, caused my ANA count to go up and my platelet count to plummet. It also caused joint degeneration, most of it focused in the various joints in my legs. I believe the legs took the brunt because I had Lyme Disease for four years when I was younger, and except for blinding headaches most of the pain was focused in the joints of my legs, causing some arthritis. This set the stage for what I've been dealing with for the last four years.

There are still more tests to be done, and more time needs to pass before I have an official answer. But yesterday's result is the first true indication that I might have been right this whole time. I had asked about an allergic reaction prior to the surgery and whether it was a possibility and was told no, though it was listed right on the manufacturer's web site as a potential risk. I was told by more doctors than I could count that my pain was not from an allergic reaction, that it wasn't possible. I lost count how many times I was told "If you can wear a watch you're fine." Bull. I had that thought in my mind since early 2006, pursued it with every doctor I saw...and to think that I was right and not crazy after all would be a wonderful validation. It could also be a huge benefit to those out there who are looking at getting the disc - there is testing they can have done beforehand - and especially to those who got the disc and like me, suffered from unusual symptoms ever since. I don't just want help for myself, but if I can help others with this that would be the biggest thing. It would also make this whole experience about something bigger than me, and I'd be thrilled if that ends up being the case.

Today we are leaving for our vacation, so the news is a great start. It fills my soul with happiness, and it will be one less burden I take with me. Tonight we'll be in Scranton, PA, "home" of my favorite show, "The Office." Sure, they don't film there, but I still want to say I've been there, check out a few of the landmarks, etc. Plus it's only 5-1/2 hours away from home, so it's not a bad drive for this afternoon.

I'll be sure to write from the road, and will definitely have a ton of pictures to upload on Flickr.