Update: Health, Grad School, and Holidays

What a year to end a decade--2019 has been a hell of a year...

I realize I have not posted or written on my blog since the spring. I have had the worst writers block and I think that TEDx Talk took a lot out of me. I have had both positive and negative reflections on the entire experience. I am just hoping it helps people in the most positive ways. 

TEDx Talk: I gave my talk in the beginning of April and it was up on YouTube a short month later. My very personal and vulnerable talk has been up on YouTube for almost 8 months and I have just reached 3k views. I have a few comments--most positive, one insulting and one sad. Honestly, it is the comments I get from friends, loved ones, and the encouraging conversations with people in person that gives me the most hope. If you have not had the chance to watch my TEDx Talk--here is a link.

Health: A few weeks ago I met with my cardiologist for my regular cardio check-up that I have about every three months. My mom was going to come but couldn't because of all the snow we got. While I was parking before my appt. my car got stuck in the snow--so I ended up being late to my appt. I was exhausted, alone, upset and did not want to be there. I hate going to the doctors. It is a lot of useless waiting and anxiety--even if you are on time.

Before I meet with my cardiologist, I have to meet with the device nurses. I sit in this chair with this hunk of technology sitting over my heart so the nurse can download and transfer my heart rhythm readings to my cardiologist from my tiny ass heart monitor that is in my chest. The nurse seemed to be taking her time, so I asked her if she had found anything. The nurse told me that she found that I have been having more PVCs or Premature Ventricular Contractions. I like to call them early beats which is something that is less science-y and makes more sense to me.

My cardiologist first found I was having these early beats more frequently in Fall of 2018--if I remember correctly. My PVCs have been coming and going. But when I met with my cardio doc in August, I wasn't having them. So whenever, something like this comes back and I can feel it in my chest while it is happening-- my health becomes frightening and annoying. 

However, the reason I have this internal heart monitor is because I was feeling these arrhythmias in my chest and a few times it really scared me. Sometimes these feelings are nothing but just some fluttering in my chest but other times it comes aggressively and out of no where. 

My cardio doc told me that we just need to watch them and to let him know if it gets worse or subsides. I don't think he is very concerned--which is hopeful. But he also doesn't feel it. Either way, I know that I will be continuing to have ups and downs with my health--like I have been for awhile. 

Grad School: After a few months of working as a parent educator and parent supervisor with children in Child Protection Services, I felt like I was doing something I wanted to build more of a career out of. This summer I started thinking about applying for grad school to get my Master in Social Work. I decided to apply to Augsburg University in Minneapolis for their Fall 2020 MSW program. I am very excited and nervous. I will keep you updated!

Holidays: I hope everyone had bearable holidays. Some people do not realize how difficult the holiday season is for people with trauma and mental health issues. Please be kind and open-minded to your loved ones who are struggling for whatever reason.

Please let me know if you have any writing suggestions for me or other updates you would like to know. 

Please let me know if you have any questions!