update

So, first things things, I'm alright. Everything has been really good lately. I was put in charge of the French team at work and once I finish the boatload of corporate training required, I'll get the manager title and nice raise that goes with it. My hours aren't so crazy anymore so I'm finally able to be active again and with all the healthy food, running and gym visits, my back doesn't bother me now and I've managed to get back into good shape. I've been closer to my family than I have been in a loooong time and I've been able to reconnect with my oldest friends a lot more too. I finally got through the insanity of the holiday sales and was given a paid week off in addition to my normal PTO hours in recognition for the insane amount of hours I worked so I just got back from a vacation in Québec. I've stayed up to date on all my meds and at the insistence of my sister I've even been seeing a psych to work through some things. For the first time in a very long time, I can honestly say I've been happy so, of course, something had to happen.

That something turned out to be another aneurysm. Last week at work, I started to get sick and passed out. For some reason, my blood pressure spiked super high and I burst another vessel. Thankfully the shunt that was put in my head prevented a build up of fluid in my brain so there hasn't been any serious damage but it still messed me up pretty bad. I've barely been conscious since then, Monday is the first day I was awake and functional but I still haven't been out of bed, even for what they call "chair time." I'm not sure what caused the bleed but the neurologist said it's common. Apparently the 1 year survival rate for my kind of stroke is pretty even odds and I have a 74% chance of not surviving the next five years but I'd prefer not to think about that. For now, I'm just enjoying the fentanyl they keep giving me and waiting for my team of super doctors to decide how to proceed but it's looking like more brain surgery.

I'm scared but I'm dealing and I'm trying to get better. Thanks for your kind words, also thank you for all the birthday wishes. TTYL.