So it is April 1st 2011....we are now 12 weeks into the new year. I wish I could say I accomplished my whole 8 weeks lost challenge and that I am now sporting a killer pair of abs. I am exercising more than I have in the past. I started doing the couch potatoe to 5k with my friend Michelle. It is a 9 week program that trains you for your first 5k. It is somewhat made for people like me who have never ran a day in their lives, but it also works if you used to run and now want to get back into it. I'm enjoying it so far....weeks 1 and 2 were cake, 3 I did twice and 4 is a little rough. Our goal is to run a 5k at the end of May.
Here is the link if you are interested in the program. There is also an app for your iphone or ipod.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
You can also like them on Facebook, which is awesome because the people on there are really motivating.
So I'm setting up a mini challenge for myself...we are going to California May 1st. I have four weeks to really crack the whip. My goal is work out six days a week, 3 which will be running, 2 are will be Zumba and then 2 to 3 days of strength training. Yes that is more than 6 workouts, but the strength training can be combined on any of those other days.
I will try to update more regularly...hoping it will help keep me accountable.
Happy Exercising People!
B
Friday, April 1, 2011
Monday, December 6, 2010
Fortune Cookies Don't Lie
So I went to St Joe today...I had to return something to Target that was a Black Friday impulse buy. I also had to shop for my Christmas family, which is a family I selected from the Christmas tree at church. I have always done Christmas Angels from the trees at the mall or Wal-Mart, but this is my first year doing a family. I'm starting out small...it is a single dad and a little boy. I enjoy doing this and will work my way up to a larger family.
So amidst my shopping I realized I had not eaten lunch. I've done pretty good all weekend watching what I eat and working out. Well I caved to my Panda Express cravings. That was mistake number 1. Mistake number 2 or a blessing, however you want to look at it, was opening my fortune cooking. I'm not lying when I say my fortune read "work on improving your exercise routine". How is that for a kick in the pants? Needless to say I did not finish my lunch. I finished my shopping, returned home and worked out for an hour.
I tossed the fortune out, but in hindsight I should have glued that puppy to the fridge!
Here's to a Terrific Tuesday!
B
So amidst my shopping I realized I had not eaten lunch. I've done pretty good all weekend watching what I eat and working out. Well I caved to my Panda Express cravings. That was mistake number 1. Mistake number 2 or a blessing, however you want to look at it, was opening my fortune cooking. I'm not lying when I say my fortune read "work on improving your exercise routine". How is that for a kick in the pants? Needless to say I did not finish my lunch. I finished my shopping, returned home and worked out for an hour.
I tossed the fortune out, but in hindsight I should have glued that puppy to the fridge!
Here's to a Terrific Tuesday!
B
Sunday, December 5, 2010
All tied up with a pretty bow...Not!
So I reread my posts and realized that I wrapped everything up all pretty and sweet...like I went from comatose to vacations on the beach. If I truly want to help people who may also be suffering from autoimmune encephalopathy, then I have to also write about the healing process after the hospital.
So I got to go home on Saturday, August 8th 2009. From June 29th-August 8th I did physical therapy, occupational therapy and 2 days of speech therapy (I got "kicked out" of speech therapy). I can't even begin to explain how frustrating it is to have to ask someone to cut up your food for you or actually order your food for you because you can't form the sentences required to order eggs and bacon. To have to press a nurse button every time you want to go to the restroom because you can't walk the four or five feet to the restroom without having a safety belt so you don't fall down.
Physical therapy was such a necessity because we had just built a two story house and I couldn't even climb two steps. I'm very fortunate because I made improvements daily and rapidly. But those 8 or 9 days seemed like 8 or 9 weeks. My OT even had me do a trial restaurant outing to see if I could order my own food before I went home. Should have been a simple task, yet completing it made me feel like I had run a marathon (we walked about half a block to a restaurant, which was the easy part, I almost fell flat on my rear trying to get up from my chair).
When I got home, I wasn't allowed to drive, for obvious reasons. I continued with my physical therapy. Fortunately I had a friend who was PT, so I was able to request her and work with her. Physical therapy was a very humbling experience. I am a very independent person and not being able to do some of the things required was very hard. Plus, part of my treatment involved taking prednisone, which is a steroid. The best way to sum that up is...you want to eat and eat and eat! I literally went through bags of ice because I would chew ice, thinking it would keep me from eating. I went home from the hospital weighing 127 and by October had jumped to 165....whoa mama! Rapid weight gain is a common side effect. I have managed to work some of it off, but that is part of the reason why I titled this blog 8 weeks lost because my husband is helping me to train and work to get more of the weight off. It is an 8 week program and I hoping that soon 8 weeks lost will be mean I had success with my training, instead of just referencing the 8 weeks I spent in the hospital.
From August to January of 2010 I did not feel like me. It took forever to process my thoughts into words. Aphasia is a term I came across just recently and when I googled it, it totally described my experience. Someone would ask me a question, I would know how I wanted to respond, but it would take me forever to literally vocalize my response. What I have read says that you can "spontaneously recover", which I think for the most part I have. I have told both my neurologist and others that I still tend to mix up words. If this is the biggest side effect I have, I will take it.
By January, I really started to feel like myself, just a little bigger. :) I have to make jokes because I feel so lucky to be here, telling my story, that if I have to work a little harder to lose some residual, medicine induced weight gain, so be it. 2010 has really been a new beginning for me and my family. I have had friends and family who have stepped up and helped us so much. I have reconnected with family and old friends and made new friends. I'm very blessed! I am very excited to see what 2011 will bring. I plan on using this blog to document the next 8 weeks, so I will let you know how it goes. Please check back...I know how good a cheering section helps to motivate a person and I may need that on days that I eat that extra piece of pizza!
Take care and Happy Holidays!
So I got to go home on Saturday, August 8th 2009. From June 29th-August 8th I did physical therapy, occupational therapy and 2 days of speech therapy (I got "kicked out" of speech therapy). I can't even begin to explain how frustrating it is to have to ask someone to cut up your food for you or actually order your food for you because you can't form the sentences required to order eggs and bacon. To have to press a nurse button every time you want to go to the restroom because you can't walk the four or five feet to the restroom without having a safety belt so you don't fall down.
Physical therapy was such a necessity because we had just built a two story house and I couldn't even climb two steps. I'm very fortunate because I made improvements daily and rapidly. But those 8 or 9 days seemed like 8 or 9 weeks. My OT even had me do a trial restaurant outing to see if I could order my own food before I went home. Should have been a simple task, yet completing it made me feel like I had run a marathon (we walked about half a block to a restaurant, which was the easy part, I almost fell flat on my rear trying to get up from my chair).
When I got home, I wasn't allowed to drive, for obvious reasons. I continued with my physical therapy. Fortunately I had a friend who was PT, so I was able to request her and work with her. Physical therapy was a very humbling experience. I am a very independent person and not being able to do some of the things required was very hard. Plus, part of my treatment involved taking prednisone, which is a steroid. The best way to sum that up is...you want to eat and eat and eat! I literally went through bags of ice because I would chew ice, thinking it would keep me from eating. I went home from the hospital weighing 127 and by October had jumped to 165....whoa mama! Rapid weight gain is a common side effect. I have managed to work some of it off, but that is part of the reason why I titled this blog 8 weeks lost because my husband is helping me to train and work to get more of the weight off. It is an 8 week program and I hoping that soon 8 weeks lost will be mean I had success with my training, instead of just referencing the 8 weeks I spent in the hospital.
From August to January of 2010 I did not feel like me. It took forever to process my thoughts into words. Aphasia is a term I came across just recently and when I googled it, it totally described my experience. Someone would ask me a question, I would know how I wanted to respond, but it would take me forever to literally vocalize my response. What I have read says that you can "spontaneously recover", which I think for the most part I have. I have told both my neurologist and others that I still tend to mix up words. If this is the biggest side effect I have, I will take it.
By January, I really started to feel like myself, just a little bigger. :) I have to make jokes because I feel so lucky to be here, telling my story, that if I have to work a little harder to lose some residual, medicine induced weight gain, so be it. 2010 has really been a new beginning for me and my family. I have had friends and family who have stepped up and helped us so much. I have reconnected with family and old friends and made new friends. I'm very blessed! I am very excited to see what 2011 will bring. I plan on using this blog to document the next 8 weeks, so I will let you know how it goes. Please check back...I know how good a cheering section helps to motivate a person and I may need that on days that I eat that extra piece of pizza!
Take care and Happy Holidays!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Miracles do happen!
I truly believe that without the power of prayer, from my husband, my mom, my family and my friends, that I would not have recovered as quickly as I did. Keep in mind I was basically in and out of consciousness for 8 weeks, woke up on July 30th and was well enough to go home August 8th. Modern science and miracles are what allowed me to survive, heal and be with my family today! Now, what was the final diagnosis and what does that mean? When the official term is autoimmune ecephalopathy. It basically means I had a virus, my immune system attacked it, but then decided to work on overdrive and attack my brain and nervous system. I had a check up in September with my neurologist who said since my case, they have had two other cases with the same diagnosis. I guess it is a good thing they had me to practice on, to get the treatment right. But seriously, she defined my case as monophasic, mono meaning one and phasic meaning phase, which means it should never happen again!
Picture taken June of 2010, almost 1 year to the date I went into the hospital.
Oh Happy Day!
Well the previous post was lenghty and I apologize. But my sincere hope is that should anyone ever stumble across this blog and are experiencing some of the same symptoms, then my detailed account will help them to get the treatment they need.
July 30th- She's awake! The treatments worked and I was finally well enough to see my children. For them, mommy had been gone for 6 weeks. When I first got sick, my daughter was scheduled to have her ears checked because she was very delayed in talking. Now six weeks later this beautiful little girl was calling me mommy. And my son couldn't snuggle up close enough. I still couldn't stand or even feed myself, but holding those two precious gifts was something I will always remember.
Holding my kids for the first time in 8 weeks.
July 30th- She's awake! The treatments worked and I was finally well enough to see my children. For them, mommy had been gone for 6 weeks. When I first got sick, my daughter was scheduled to have her ears checked because she was very delayed in talking. Now six weeks later this beautiful little girl was calling me mommy. And my son couldn't snuggle up close enough. I still couldn't stand or even feed myself, but holding those two precious gifts was something I will always remember.
Time Lost- June 28- July 30th
Once again, I do not have any actual memories of my stay prior to July 30th at KuMed. My mom flew out to stay with me at the hospital and my dad, step-dad and aunt also visited. I do not remember them being there. My husband chronicled everyday...I'm not going to post all of that there. I will just post a few snipits and some pictures.
I am getting anxious to start treatment. If they properly diagnose it, we could see significant improvement in a few days, and nearly normal mental activity in approximately 10 days (give or take a few). It would be reasonable to think that she coudl be released from hospital in 14-21 days after treatment begins, with some minor rehab and follow up visits.
Pictures taken July 23 and July 25th.
JULY 3 – Breathing tube had been removed and sedation was over, but there was little change in Brandi’s consciousness.
JULY 4 – Brandi was at least somewhat conscious. She appeared to recognize family members. She was able to shake her head successfully to very basic yes/no questions. She was able to pucker for kisses from Travis. After family left, the nurse asked her if she knew where she was, and Brandi whispered “hospital.” The nurse also indicated that Brandi asked for “Travis.”
JULY 5 – Brandi was awake and eyes could track, but was noticeably less conscious. Not able to focus and I really don't even know if she knew who I was. Very minimal replies to commands and no speech.
JULY 14 - As I understand it - unless something changes, treatment is waiting on 2 tests. One is another lumbar puncture to look at antibodies again. And the other one is a blood test to rule out Tuberculosis (bacteria) encephalitis. Once those tests are complete (my hope is by Wednesday), they will begin treatment (my hope is by Thursday). If it is not TB, then they will treat her with anti-viral encephalitis medication along with steriods for swelling and a form of dialysis (to remove auto immune antibodies).
I am getting anxious to start treatment. If they properly diagnose it, we could see significant improvement in a few days, and nearly normal mental activity in approximately 10 days (give or take a few). It would be reasonable to think that she coudl be released from hospital in 14-21 days after treatment begins, with some minor rehab and follow up visits.
JULY 20 - It appears that the steroid treatment was not effective. The doctors have also backed off of the assumption that she has a viral infection. Instead, they are now thinking that her condition is an autoimmune disorder. So either today or tomorrow Brandi will begin plasmapheresis (blood cleansing).
JULY 23 - Apparently the length of Brandi's stay in the hospital is taking its toll on her body. Among other complications, she has at least one (maybe two) blood clots in her lungs. So right now they are concentrating on getting her body healthy again before they go forward with treatment for her autoimmune encephalopathy. And they now think that she is too frail to receive plasmapheresis. So they are going to try IVIg treatment as soon as she is stabilized. IVIg has a similar success rate as plasmapheresis for patients like Brandi, so it's not like we are settling for a lesser treatment. We just have to try to stay positive and hope that they can begin the treatment soon and that it has a positive effect.
10 days and almost dead
June 16th- June 26th
I wish I could say I am going to give you all the nitty, gritty details of my stay at the psych hospital, but somethings are just to painful to share. I don't remember anything of my stay there. Everything I know and share is because my husband documented every phone call and visit. I will say that my stay was not necessary because I didn't have a mental illness and because I was in the wrong facility, I ended up with life-threatening pneumonia. The facility was not capable of treating this, therefore the staff at the "hospital" had to call 911 because my vitals were failing and I needed to be treated in an actual medical facility.
**From the beginning Travis told them they were not treating me correctly, but unfortunately it wasn't until I was on my deathbed that they listened.
These are photos that were taken once I was transferred to KuMed on June 29th.
I wish I could say I am going to give you all the nitty, gritty details of my stay at the psych hospital, but somethings are just to painful to share. I don't remember anything of my stay there. Everything I know and share is because my husband documented every phone call and visit. I will say that my stay was not necessary because I didn't have a mental illness and because I was in the wrong facility, I ended up with life-threatening pneumonia. The facility was not capable of treating this, therefore the staff at the "hospital" had to call 911 because my vitals were failing and I needed to be treated in an actual medical facility.
**From the beginning Travis told them they were not treating me correctly, but unfortunately it wasn't until I was on my deathbed that they listened.
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