Keppra Zombie

Well, I have slowed brain waves and irritability in my frontal lobe so it looks like I did have a seizure. I have been on 750 mg of Keppra for five days. I am dizzy, sleepy, and slow thinking all the time. The dosage is doubling next week. I really hope these side effects improve as my brain gets used to the medication! Coffee and food seem to help.

Phoenix Year

In 2018, I...

- had a biopsy
- got a new pet, Phil
- got a new job
- lost a pet, Stella
- totaled my car
- have a new medical situation

People, I am EXHAUSTED!The neurologist thinks I might have had a seizure that caused my accident. I'm getting a sleep deprived EEG and echocardiogram next week. The doctor wants me to start Keppra. Since I'm getting off Amlodipine (horrible drug BTW), I'm waiting for that to be out of my system before starting another med. I'm not driving. I can't drive for six months if it was a seizure. I get to avoid winter with a car in Boston - woohoo!

I'm doing pretty okay about Stella. We had a different kind of closeness since she didn't really like being touched. I fed her, got scratches and licks from her. Occasional snuggles on her terms only. She is definitely in a better place with no pain. I'm yet again impressed with the staff at Angell MSPCA. They treat pets like their own and show owners such patience and empathy. Our cat, Shauna, is still looking for Stella in our apartment but eventually she'll get it. Phil was confused/concerned but seems okay.

I'm starting my new job Monday Dec. 17. I'm excited, a little anxious, but ultimately happy. The people I interviewed with all seemed very nice. I'm going to reign in 100% me for a bit until I suss out the office vibe. I can't whip out my Marvel bobbleheads on Day 1, you know? I first interviewed for this job November 19 so technically I did get a job by my birthday, November 22.

There has been an ah ha moment for me about my health. The accident and some conversations with my brother have gotten my head straight about things. I've always been overweight and both sides of my family have weight issues. But that is no excuse to give up on being healthy. I realized that being so overweight with all the lovely health issues in addition worries people who love me. Since I love the people in my life, I want to save them hurt or anxiety. No cookie or dish of ice cream is more important than my brother or parents. If I can't get healthy for me, I can for them. I'm using this site and am really pleased so far. The next phase is checking out the gym a block away from me. Come at me 2019!

Goodbye Stella

December 5 & 6

December 5:
- Stella is bleeding from a lump on her belly. Rush her to Angell that night.
- On the way home from Angell, got in a car accident that totaled my car. Roomie and I walked away bruised and cut.

December 6:
- Accept a job offer!!! Start date is December 17. HR person told me that the consensus after my interviews was that I was the only one they wanted

STUFF!

I started taking ACE inhibitors along with diuretics for my blood pressure Nov. 8.  On Nov. 23 I had to go to the E.R. I had really bad heart racing/palpitations and dizziness. They only happened once or twice a day in the week preceding but on the 23rd, I had a dozen in a row just sitting down quietly in the living room. My roommate was away visiting her family so since I was alone, I texted my brother who took me to the E.R. I get really upset every time I need to go to the hospital because it's scary and I have bad memories from my stroke.  I was hooked up to an EKG, gave blood, and urine. After about 3 hours, my heart wasn't acting weird and everything looked fine so I was sent home with instructions to get an appointment with my doctor and stop drinking coffee. My theory is that I had a bad reaction to ACE inhibitors. My father is allergic to them and vasodilators can cause palpitations. Giving up coffee has been so painful. I usually have 1 to 2 cups a day but that kept me going man... My doctor and I talked about the situation. I'm now on calcium channel blockers and as long as I can go 5 days with no heart weirdness, I can go back to drinking coffee. December 5 is my potential Coffee Day.

Stella has had a bunch of bad days last week but seems to be rallying even though she has lost a ton of weight. She eats, pees, poops, and runs around like normal but mainly she sleeps. I just want her to be comfortable and take the dying decision out of my hands. I just don't have the bandwidth to put another one of my pets to sleep. You know?

You know My Pillows? I got one about a year ago and loved it. But over time it's novelty wore off. I had the darnedest time getting comfortable. Plus my back and neck had been hurting.  Then I stayed at a Marriott hotel for a family wedding. Oh my goodness, I woke up feeling like I slept on a cloud. Their pillows are fantastic. Now, I'm a proud owner of a Pacific Coast down pillow and am sleeping like I'm in heaven.

There is possible forward movement on the job front. Just cross your fingers and send good mojo! Also, here is a picture of my grandmother in her twenties, me in my forties, and my grandmother in her eighties. Definitely not adopted.