Our new Cub Cadet!
Okay, it’s not what you think. After selling my motorcycle we decided to invest in a lawn tractor. Meet the new ride! This is sure going to make mowing our 3/4 acre a whole lot easier. Here’s a little clip of my son mowing. No helmet needed! Thank you for stopping by today! I am still looking for female motorcyclists to profile. Please leave a comment and I’ll get in contact with you. Enjoy the ride!
My motorcycling days are done. As I’ve been reminded several times lately, four out of four neurologist said no more riding. This week I sold my bike.
Saying goodbye to my motorcycle
Not sure what is on the horizon for me or the blog. I’d love to hear your ideas. Should I still profile women motorcyclists? Y’all have been so great and I’ve connected with so many fabulous friends. Love to hear what you think.
A couple of weeks ago we had to unexpectedly say good-bye to our dog, Abby.
Abby
We knew someday it would happen, just not that day!
Our family first met her when my son brought her home at four weeks.
Abby at 4 weeks old
A neighbor down the block was giving away puppies because the mother stopped nursing. There were 11 puppies and this is the one my son brought home. Convincing hubby and me that he’ll take care of her we decided to keep her. Our son kept his end of the bargain.
In fact, my son chose the dog over getting a summer job and saving for a car. Looking back now that was the best decision ever!
Kitty (her nickname) loved to hold paws!
Abby was nicknamed Kitty after the family watch Monsters Inc. Like the monster called Kitty by the little girl in the movie Abby grew rather HUGE so we started calling her Kitty!
Now over 12 years over we bid her farewell. Hearts heavy.
Abby’s paw print
P.S. I’m still raising money for my sister’s fight against ovarian cancer. Any help is greatly appreciated! Click here to give.
Posted in Me
Dissected Vertebral Artery
I’ll tell you! There’s a few centimeters of my vertebral artery missing! I ended up with some images from the initial MRA when I went into the ER with a migraine that show the dissected vertebral artery. Our brains usually have a some-what mirrored image of itself … except for mine … at least for now.
Things are going okay for me, I still have a headache on and off most days. I end up doing things I’m not suppose to and then pay for it with a headache. Sometimes it is easy to figure out what I did to cause it and other times I’m clueless.
I’m off all drugs (narcotics and the like), but I still take Warfarin (anticoagulant) to prevent clots and to stave off having a stroke. Still on the 90 day count down which they say is the most vulnerable time for me, but I’ll continue taking it until I see the neurologist in July.
I go in weekly to have my INR levels checked. The goal is to keep it between two and three. Me? I fluctuate between 1.6 and 3.7 with no change in my diet or meds. My poor nurse is up in arms on why I’m not stable. Goes to show she doesn’t know me. LOL
My poor hubby has been run ragged trying to do all the snow removal, heavy lifting, and so much more. What a guy. I love him very much.
And then there is my sister in the mist of her fight against ovarian cancer. There is still a way to go to defeat the cancer in her body. I’m so thankful for all the family and friends that have given, but there’s still a bit to go. Check out my GoFundMe page I started for her. Every little bit helps.
P.S. Ladies, I’m still taking stories for Profile of a Female Motorcyclist. Email me at pamela(dot)court(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll sent over the questions!
Hey there friends! Hope all is well with you. My life has been like a roller coaster ride. Last week due to severe head pain I ended up back in the ER and had another MRA. Thankfully, no new issues were found. The doctors put me on some heavy duty IV meds and eventually sent me home with the encouragement to get to my neurologist appointment the following week.
This week I had my follow-up appointment with the vascular neurology specialist. When I found his picture online my first thought was, “I’m going to see Doogie Howser!” I was hoping it was an old photo but the truth is I’m getting to the age when everyone looks young!
What I found out is that the vertebral artery dissection is about 1 1/2 inches long and “should” eventually heal (think six months or so), but with a guarded future. Again, these doctors are surprised I haven’t had a stroke or anything else because of this dissection. They are also dumbfounded as to the cause. There is nothing physically (no trauma) or family medical history that can point to a reason for this happening to me.
I’ll save you from all the details but the bottom line is my motorcycling days are over. Both doctors I saw that day answered with a resounding, “Absolutely not!” when asked about getting back on a motorcycle. They went on to paint a very clear picture of the risk I face if I decide to ride again … even ATGATT. So with tears in my eyes I’m hanging up my helmet and selling my bike in the Spring.
Not sure what the next adventure will be, something safe by the sounds of my neurologist! It has been a fun ride. Thank you to all for sharing and commenting on my blog. It has been a pleasure meeting so many other motorcyclists. Be well and ride safe!
P.S. Here’s what’s happening with my sister http://www.gofundme.com/5dum0o
Thank you friends for all the kind messages left on my last post. I came home from the hospital about a week ago so I was able to spend some time with my daughter and her family before they returned home.
This Christmas I was hoping to bake cookies and play with my grandson, shop and cook with my daughter, hold my new granddaughter, and just general family time together. Instead I spent the first few days they were home in pain, then the next five in critical care drugged up, and finally home sleeping most of the day. I missed Christmas.
My granddaughter visiting me in the hospital.
My primary care doctor has cleared my to go back to work, but wants me in to see a neurologist soon. I’m on a blood thinner, Warfarin because the biggest threat I face is a blood clot. My daughter and her family are back home, the Christmas tree is put away, and I need to figure out my next health step.
And while I was going through all of this my sister went through her third chemo treatment. I’m still trying to raise money for her and would appreciate any help! I’ve set-up a GoFundMe page.
Never thought I’d see flame shooters as part of a Christmas light display! It starts about three minutes in.
Any one out there decorate the exterior of their home? Depending on how fast winter hits we’ll string a few lights outside. Not this year! We’ve been in the deep freeze for the last couple of weeks.
P.S. Thank you for all the generous gifts to help my sister! http://www.gofundme.com/5dum0o
Counting down to Friday night when my daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter arrive! I’m so excited. There are so many things to prepare and do before they arrive. Today I put up the tree while hubby was at work. He will hang the lights later this week and we’ll decorate after the kids are here.
I bought this artificial tree 15 years ago for $79. Still in great shape!
When the kids were young we’d go to the tree farm and cut our own. One year about 15 years ago we were unable to get out to the farm and I found this impressive bad boy for $79. Let’s just say we’ve got our monies worth!
Do you put up a Christmas tree? Real or artificial?
P.S. Can help my sister? Any little gift will help! http://www.gofundme.com/5dum0o
P.P.S. Ladies, I’m still taking names for my Profile of a Female Motorcyclist series. Let me know if you are interested!
P.P.P.S. Here it is with lights!
Lights!!!
Back in October I shared that my older sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She has since had surgery and so far two hellish chemo treatments. I’m learning all sorts of things I never knew about going through cancer treatment.
After surgery it was a very short time before she started chemo. Chemo is five to six hour appointment every three weeks. I believe she will have a total of six before it is all over. The days that follow treatment are days of pure pain and vomiting all in the guise of healing.
About a week after the first chemo treatment she lost enough hair to decide to shave her head. Stop and think about that. You are in the midst of some heavy duty trauma and then we’ll throw in a little bit more to really nail your emotional state. I could sense her depression from 400 miles away.
Did you know there is a web site that caters to women undergoing cancer treatment? It is TLCdirect.org. They carry padded cap liners to help hats, caps, and turbans look more real. Who knew?
My sister has lost a lot of weight since this has begun so she is in need of some new clothes. Another expense for a family already facing this horrendous health issue without insurance.
On another note I also found out my younger sister’s doctor discovered a growth on her ovary the size of a cantaloupe. This sister is about 1500 miles away. Thankfully, she had surgery (and has insurance) removing this and all her female organs but is cancer free. Yes. All of this has happened since the end of October.
Back to my older sister. I set-up a GoFundMe.com site to raise money to help off-set her living expenses. Would you consider helping a little? I figured if I could get a lot of people to do a little it would add up to a bunch! Join with me and let’s kick this cancer in the a$$!
We’ve had some snow and bitter cold here in Minnesota, but this cheered me up!
Enjoy!
Helmet or Heels: I'm comfortable in either! 