Chiari Is My Unwelcome House Guest

The past week has been a whirlwind. I’ve had my ups and downs and have been a ball of emotions. Last weekend I had to be taken to the ER due extremely intolerable symptoms due to Chiari and since then have had this week to recover at home from such events. Yes, I do take medication for many of my ongoing symptoms but when the medicine doesn’t do what it’s meant to help with, I progressively feel worse, and that’s when I take a trip to the ER. It’s no fun, it’s tiring and unfortunately I’ve been to my local hospitals ER more than I’d like to admit.

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While at the hospital though, I came to thinking about Chiari and what it means to me. I was thinking of what I can compare it to. I had so many nurses and a doctor come in to see me in my room and had no idea what Chiari nor Syringomyelia was. I don’t blame them though, the lack of knowledge and education on such a rare illness is seen too often, especially in the medical field.

I finally narrowed Chiari to this – that unwelcome house guest.

The one that refuses to leave no matter what signals you throw at it.

The one that has no remorse in overstaying their welcome.

The one that doesn’t shy away from being loud.

It has the worst timing!

It doesn’t care what day of the week it is.

It’s there and it isn’t looking like it has a departure date set.

If you have someone close to you that has chronic pain, lives with Chiari Malformation, Syringomyelia or any other illness, the best thing you can do for them is educate yourself on the matter. It’ll mean more to them then you’ll ever know.

Happy Friday,

A-

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Versatile Blogger Award

I’ve been nominated for this award by the ever so strong and wonderful James over at My Place 3187. This is my first ‘Versatile Blogger Award’ and am beyond excited, so thank you again James for thinking of me.

Rules:

1. Thank the blogger who Nominated you for this Award.
2. Include a link to their blog.
3. Select 15 Bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly.
4. Nominate these 15 Bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.
5. Let each of your Nominees know that you have Nominated them on one of their blog posts.
6. Finally, tell the blogger who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

Seven Things About Myself:

1. This is a BIG one – ready?! My name is Ana not Chiari
2. I don’t like chocolate – but do enjoy other desserts and treats
3. I have six little’s – no twins, you read right, six (Enlgish), seis (Spanish), sei (Italian)
4. I’m fluent in English and Español 
5. I know my numbers in Italiano – only, I tried
6. I was diagnosed in 2013 with Chiari Malformation + Syringomyelia a congenital condition and brain disorder, I’ve had brain surgery for Chiari Malformation (decompression craniectomy) and in 2017 spinal canal surgery for Syringomyelia (laminectomy) – was placed a syrinx-shunt
7. I have a YouTube Channel – simple and easy nail polish tutorials

Bonus: I enjoy all types of music – including country … my current replay / favorite Bebe Rexha feat. Florida Georgia Line ‘Meant To Be’ – so good!

My Nominees Are:

Bereaved Single Dad

All The Shoes I Wear

Cole Camp Fire Blog

Jason Frels

The Eclectic Contrarian

Something To Stu Over

Everyday Magic With Jubilee

Maggie Tiggles

Fight MS Daily

WCR 281

Simply Chronically Ill

Miraculous Smile

My Namaste 365 Online

A sweet thank you to all my nominees, I always enjoy your posts and look forward to reading ‘seven things’ about you all!

A-

Forgiveness + Hope – ‘Three Days Three Quotes’ Nomination Day 2

In continuation with the ‘Three Days Three Quotes’ I will not do ‘Nail File Fridays.’ I was nominated by the wonderful blogger over at Reveuse.

AND don’t forget to visit my nominees! They are such amazing women. I absolutely love following their blogs, they’re so interesting and inspirational!

HERE ARE THE RULES:

♣…Thank the person who nominated you.

♣…Post a quote for 3 days and explain why it appeals to you.

♣…Nominate bloggers each day!

MY SECOND QUOTE:

“Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different” Oprah Winfrey

I have kept this quote so dear and near to my heart – I mean how can I not?! I grew up in a single-parent home, my mother raising three kids on her own, working two to three jobs at a time, trying to make ends meet. I was the youngest of three. I was about 5 years old when I quickly realized I hated did not like the weekends with my father. I also disliked anything related to Father’s Day because at school I would be obligated to participate in making Father’s Day cards and such things. It wasn’t for any particular reason other than this meant being away from my mother – they were divorced for about 11 years, reconciled and have now been married for about 15 years. All thanks to Him. So, this quote among other things have helped me see that my father was not one, in any way a monster two, a cruel man or three, the enemy – he made mistakes because of the weakness that lies in man. We have recovered our father-daughter relationship that was once non-existent and have healed what was once broken.

Also, my Chiari Malformation + Syringomyelia Diagnosis – it’s incredibly exhausting just thinking about it! I have begun therapy which has been a great source in my journey to healing. I go back and forth thinking of the what-if’s, what if I was born different and not with Chiari – there is no such thing as having been born ‘normal,’ what if I hadn’t gotten married and maybe this wouldn’t have happened – Chiari was inevitable because I was born with it, what if I was stronger – I am as strong as I need to be, what if I could be like these other school moms without a care in the world and living pain free – looks are deceiving and I may have physical chronic pain however these other school moms I so ‘admire’ are battling other life pains.

This quote reminds me that giving up the hope that Chiari if not present in my life today things could have been different, is a lie! I am not Chiari rather I am living with Chiari. It’s given me the strength I never knew I had and that is worth not hoping my life could have been any different than what it is today.

NOMINATIONS:

1. Four Jordans

2.

3. A Disney World Adventurer

Hope you all enjoy doing this unique challenge and I look forward to reading the quotes you’ve chosen!

A-