I finally have almost reached the end of my fall semester and I won’t lie, this was the hardest semester yet. To be suffering in nonstop pain and constantly worrying about my afflictions has made it most difficult to concentrate on my school work, but I have tried my best given the circumstances. I am in the last leg of the marathon and I’m dying to finish. I have to finish up three more lab reports, study for three chemistry tests (last chapter, make up test, and final), an ecology final, a microbiology final, write a five page paper on my identified microorganism from my unknown experiment, make some sort of demonstration to present said organism, take my anatomy and physiology final, and finish up my post fitness class exam: all this in the span of a ten days. I really am not sure quite how these next days will go, but I am asking for leniency and for support.
I made my way down to Houston, again, yesterday to be cleared by the cardiologist for surgery. Since I had atrial fibrillation last year, my neurosurgeon wants to definitely make sure my heart is ready for surgery. I had an echocardiogram and an EKG done while I was there and consulted with Dr. Stephen. Once he reviews the images from the echo he will clear me for surgery, but he made it evident that he would like me to follow up with the cardiologist in Waco and have more studies done. He told me that it was very unusual for a twenty-one year old to have had atrial fibrillation. When I was sixteen I went to the emergency room for tachycardia with no cause. I have had other episodes of tachycardia, especially when I am going through a MCAD (mast cell activation disorder) spell and at other random times. My EKG looked normal and I will get the results from my echo next week. The technician that was conducting my echocardiogram asked me “You don’t happen to have Arnold-Chiari Malformation Type I, do you?” I told her that I did and she began to tell me about her struggle with her low-lying cerebellar tonsils and all the pain she has endured over the past eight years. She had visited several doctors who have not been able to help, but just kept giving her the same nonsense of muscle spasms, psychological issues, etc. The story was identical to mine, but I couldn’t possible imagine dealing with this for eight years. She told me that her niece, also named Cassandra coincidentally, had just been diagnosed with the malformation and already had a surgery schedule with minimal symptoms. She said that it was meant to be that we met and that I gave her hope that she could get help. I told her how awesome Dr. Parrish had been in helping me and that I think he would be able to help her too. We went back and forth talking about our symptoms and how it has affected our lives. I, of course, felt like a total rookie only having had really suffering for six months. Thinking back to my childhood and growing up I am starting to think that some things are adding up. I have theories, but would love to consult with a geneticist about EDS and POTS. I feel like people who have these disorders have to be committed to finding help and not giving up because it would have been so easy to. My father and I took it upon ourselves to research surgeons, symptoms, and this disorder. I couldn’t have done it without everybody’s support. I am so grateful for my family, friends, and supporters.
In addition to all of the school and health stress, I got some horrible news on Monday night. My beautiful grandmother passed away on November 23th, 2015. Dolores Mae Furin Head (January 14, 1937 – November 23, 2014) was a wonderful mother to my Uncle David, Aunt Cindy, and my dad Dale. She was 78 years old and one of my biggest supporters. I remember my grandma as a sweet, thoughtful, lovable lady; She was most opinionated and not afraid to tell you what she thought. She worked so hard to give my dad, uncle, and aunt a good life, doubling up on jobs (waitress as Luigi’s and retail salesperson at Kmart) to make sure there was always enough. Although she divorced my grandpa, she still took care of him until he past away in 2008. She had remarried a few times and was a stepmother to two other children and was just as loving and sweet towards them as her own. Some of my favorite memories include visiting Hawaii together with my immediate family and visiting her house for Thanksgiving. My grandmother was such a great cook and so crafty. She loved to sew and collect Shirley Temple dolls, which she passed down to me. My grandma was lively person and her smile was contagious. I am beyond lucky to have had her in my life. She loved wine! I, personally, am not a big fan of drinking, too much, but my grandmother made sure my glass was always full even if I didn’t want it. It made me laugh because I would try to get my dad to drink it before she discovered I wasn’t drinking much. My grandma visited us in Waco and we played balderdash together with the family. My grandma kept sticking her little discarded answers in my mom’s hair, little did she know my dad was doing the same exact thing to her. Both my mother and she laughed so hard thinking that only the other one had paper in their hair! The rest of us all died laughing when they both realized their hair served as a trash bin and they, too, both cracked up. My grandma loved to entertain and host and she was an expert at it. She always put her family first and made the six hour plus trip to Waco to see me cross the stage as I graduated from high school. She loved antiques so much and had the cutest little setup of vintage items. She even managed her own store, The Cedar Chest, and worked at an antique mall. She fought against peritoneal cancer for over four years and continued to work and care for others the entire time until up to the last two months or so. She was more concerned about me, than herself, when I visited saying she was so sorry for the pain I had to endure, when I felt the same way towards her. Although I am sad that I didn’t get to spend as much time with her as my other cousins who live and grew up close by, I made sure that she knew that I loved her so very much and I know she loved me back. I grew closer with my family through this path. As hard as it is to know my grandma is no longer here, I know she is looking down from heaven and laughing and catching up with my cousin, Austin. I can see her looking in amazement at Austin’s tall stature and how handsome he looks. She would probably comment on how skinny he had gotten and start cooking right away! My sweet grandma, you have fought so hard and held on in order to say goodbye to everyone in the family, and now you are free; free from the constant pain and worry. You are finally at peace in heaven with God and your grandson and I know that you are relieved not to suffer any longer. I know that you will be with me every step of the way and watching me during my struggles ahead. I love you Granny Dee and I’m saddened you won’t be able to meet my children, but I will raise them in your image. You’re bright blue eyes, dimples, and smile are forever engraved in my head and your sweet spirit lives in my heart.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8
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