Give More Live More

I had the opportunity to listen to Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS shoes, at Baptist Health’s Bolo Bash luncheon. I was quite impressed. Although a very young man, he demonstrates wisdom beyond his years. His mission to give back to others is so simple. It’s basically what many of us where taught to do … take care of your brothers and sisters. Blake’s story is amazing and I encourage you to read about him in this month’s AY at http://www.aymag.com/view/416. As the event’s keynote speaker, he reminded me how much we take for granted each day and how truly blessed I am.

Check out his journal and comments at http://blakemycoskie.blogspot.com/2010/04/big-toms.html. This shoe was especially made for him by Terri Snowden.

Step Back

Well it’s back. Just after I thought I had this Menieres thing under my belt. It’s a rude awakening to discover again, that I’m not in control. I’ve always had this voice inside of me softly shouting, “March on … you’ve got this.”
When I truly realized that I’m not in control, it liberated me, to some degree. The discovery helped take the pressure off.
Taking care of yourself isn’t for just a few weeks or months … it has to be a way of life. Stress will pull the rug underneath you. In our busy, busy lives lets take more time just to be. Reflect on our blessings and let someone else carry the load. Life is too precious.

Spring Is Here!

As a Southern woman I have to fill up pots with lots of pretty flowers and plants. I enjoy coming home and sitting outside surrounded by all the color. I highly recommend Arkansas Landscape and Garden for buying your flora. They have the best selection in town. I literally spent hours deciding on each plant.  I knew I was in the right place for herbs when I ran into Mary Beth Ringgold, owner of Cajuns, Copper Grill and Capers, and she was buying herbs for cooking. I don’t even cook but the plants looked so interesting and smelled wonderful. The herbs are an excellent addition to my pots.

Life is in the Living

Stephen Leacock said, “Life, we learn too late, is in the living, the tissue of every day and hour.” A smart man once shared his philosophy for life: Finding someone or something to look forward to. This year, I’ve decided to invest in discovering what makes me happy.

I’ve started a painting class at Arkansas Arts Center. I was bone tired when I attended my first class. The stools were uncomfortable, I was thirsty but all the sudden the teacher started mixing paint. She demonstrated how to use only three colors to develop skin tones in portraits. After that I was hooked. I couldn’t wait to try the technique. The class makes me feel happy and alive. I’ve found something to look forward to.

Life is simple: Find someone or something to look forward to. I look forward to our next conversation.

Going Green

What do you do to live a greener lifestyle at home? Do you make a daily effort to help the environment?  If so, I’d love to hear your suggestions.

We’re wrapping up the new April issue of AY Magazine… featuring a 40 page Green Guide!

Back in the Dating World

My Meniere’s has improved so much that I have decided to blog on other topics. I’m dating again. Women my age know how hard that process can be. After almost a year without going on a date, I appreciate the dating experience. As an single, indepent woman who does most everything by myself, I’d forgotten how nice it is to have company. Companionship is important. I’m enjoying myself and taking time to get to know someone. Maybe as a consequence of publishing a monthly magazine, I’ve lived my life on deadline. I think a lot of us do. We get in the habit of saying, “we’ll get to that when we have time.”  I’m making a conscious effort to make time for dating. Wouldn’t dating be nice if we could bypass all the “rituals” and get to the “real” relationship part? It is uncomfortable for me at times to get to know someone.

Are you dating? Is the relationship going well? What challenges are you having? Please join the conversation.

Birthday Surprise!

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate my birthday.  It was a true surprise!  I am so grateful for all of my friends and family.

Are you our facebook friend?  Check out the photos on our facebook page- facebook.com/aymagazine

Living with Meniere’s

The girls at the office recently enlightened me that in order to blog, you … well … have to blog. My New Year’s resolution, I will blog regularly. I launched this blog to discuss my recent diagnosis of Meniere’s Disease.

Let me give you a quick update. I had my first bout of vertigo on Jan. 7th of 2009. I was misdiagnosed for eleven months. During that time, I was in bed most days. I had vertigo almost everyday. My life was HELL.

I finally received the diagnosis of Meniere’s Disease on November 12, 2009. I had dexamethasone inner ear perfusion on Tuesday, January 12 of this year. Dr. John Dornhoffer at UAMS inserted a needle through my left eardrum and delivered the steroid shot in hopes of helping  my vertigo. The procedure was at 10 a.m. I had another bout with vertigo that night at 9:30. I have had several instances of vertigo since the procedure. My first thought was, “Wow, I’ve really messed myself up. I should never have had the perfusion.”

Today is Jan. 27th. This is the fourth day in a row that I haven’t had vertigo since the 12th. What a difference time makes. I’m not a patient person and this disease has taught me to be patient. It has also taught me the importance of faith, family and friends. And of course, it’s taught me … if you don’t have your health … you really don’t have anything. I believe I am a better person because of this disease.

There is no cure for Meniere’s. If you have the disease or know of someone who does, I hope you will add your comments. The more I know, the more I understand. Please join the conversation.

On a lighter note. Don’t forget the people you love on Valentine’s Day.

First Blog Post

I’ve created this blog as a clearinghouse for people to discuss their health issues. I’d like us to share opinions on doctors, treatment options and, above all, to encourage each other. I am living proof that sharing health experiences leads to positive results. To say this hasn’t been “my year” is an understatement. On Jan.7, I started having extreme episodes of vertigo. If you have never experienced vertigo, imagine the sensation you experience when you spin around quickly for several minutes. Now imagine having that sensation for 29 hours … straight … without interruption. The pain and nausea, at times, has been so severe that I’ve been bedridden for hours — even days — at a time. The episodes happened every three or four days. It was hell.

After my first episode of vertigo, I, of course, sought medical attention; it took months to get an appointment at the Arkansas Headache Clinic (who knew so many people suffer from migraines? I shudder to think about new health care legislation). The treatment I received was for migraines. After months of trying different medicines with no clear or lasting relief, I basically received a “see you in November” appointment. I felt like hell, and I was scared. Neurologist Reginald Rutherford was my next doctor. For a time, Dr. Rutherford’s migraine treatment gave me relief. I’m not exactly sure if the treatment worked because I wanted so desperately to feel well or if my disease had let up a little. I received phone calls, e-mails, notes and letters from concerned friends and readers responding to my publisher’s letters discussing my illness. These conversations helped me figure out which doctor to see and, as a result, I received a diagnosis. Dr. John Dornhoffer identified this mystery ailment in 10 minutes.

I have Meniere’s Disease. It is a curious disease. Meniere’s Disease is a disturbing illness, presenting patients with hearing loss, pressure in the ear, tinnitus (a ringing sensation in the ear), severe imbalance and vertigo. The severity of Meniere’s varies from person to person; unfortunately mine has been extreme.

Do you or someone you know have information about Meniere’s Disease? Do you suffer from vertigo or vestibular migraines (migraine-induced vertigo)?If you have suggestions, ideas or any information, I’d appreciate hearing from you. Please join the conversation.