hey guys! tonight i am:
- hanging out with the mister
- spending too much money at target
- cuddling with the dogs
- drinking a vanilla bean peach protein shake for dessert
- not blogging
taking over for me is my mom. as you know, she recently suffered from a mini stroke (a TIA) and has been getting many tests and scans and whatnot. several of you have asked how she is (thank you SO much for your continued emails and comments and concerns!) so i thought the best way to answer and address the situation would be to turn the time over to momma b. here she is!
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I am always honored to be able to take up some space here on the meals & moves blog! I’ve been asked to give an update as to how I am doing…. may I thank you all again for your incredible care, concern, prayers and love – WOW I’m still overwhelmed with the good energy that comes from all of you!
Janetha let you all know what was up with her post “this is what happened”. I have discovered that I inherited the “rambling” gene from my mom and I passed it on to Janetha – so grab a snack and get comfortable…..
I had quite a few tests, cat scan, MRI, sleep deprived EEG, bubble test, and then a scope sent down my throat to see how big the hole in my heart really is (PFO) and wearing a heart monitor 24/7. Without my 3 daughters I couldn’t have managed all of these tests, they were awesome in their care for me.
On April 5 Papa Randall (aka Janetha’s dad, Randy (no, not the basset hound.. yes they have the same name)) and I went back to see the stroke doctor and get all the results from the above mentioned tests. I was told that there were no lesions on my brain (great news), the hole in my heart is very small (also great news) and that it is their recommendation that I stay on Plavix, stop taking Imitrex and continue life as normal. No surgery to close the PFO. After a couple of hours discussing everything we left feeling pretty good about this treatment.
After sending the news out to my kids and friends it was pretty unanimous that I should still see a heart specialist – so now I will see him on May 4. If his findings are the same then I will continue life as normal – and you may be getting another report :)
I have had a month to reflect on what happened and to ponder just what “life as normal” really is. I have always been so eager and willing to serve others, I love to help and still do. My profession as a real estate agent is totally about service, I love to help my kids, I care take my mother in law, I love it when someone calls me to find a good plumber, electrician or stroke doctor ;)
What I have noticed since this episode is that I have an even greater appreciation for my life and those around me and I am also realizing more and more that it is important to take care of myself — I don’t mean in a selfish way but in a way that I can fill my own bucket and thereby continue to help others. There is a great book I read years ago and need to reread– it talks about “filling your own bucket” get it and we can read it together: Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
So it seems I have been trying different things that will help focus on making me an even healthier person - Janetha has introduced me to Bikram Yoga and I LOVE it. 90 minutes in a hot 105 degree room doing difficult moves, stretching, totally silent, pushing myself and letting out the stress feels SO good! I find I have to make an appointment with “myself” so that I don’t schedule other things during that time slot. I also went and got a pedicure last week – very spontaneous and it was wonderful! I continue to enjoy spending time in the LDS Temple near my home. All of these things require a certain degree of “being quiet” and I find it is a good time to reflect, count my blessings and to be so grateful for a healthy life. I also give thanks for all of you – your care, concern and love for our whole family is just unbelievable – yes I should adopt every single one of you!!
Sending love and thanks again!
xoxo
momma b.
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THANKS MOM. love you. you are so right.. we all need a little quiet time to appreciate our own lives.
and with that, i will be back tomorrow.
Q from janetha~
how often do you make time for yourself? what is your favorite thing to do during your “me” time?
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I’m so glad that you have been able to manage all of the tests Mamma B! :)
loved this post! thanks momma b! xoxoxoxo
i definitely need to make more “me” time. I will work on that!
so happy to hear from you, momma b!!
Wonderful news!! <3
Good to hear from you too momma b :) ANd yes, I always take some ME time every day-much needed!!! Yoga is a great way to do so, for sure!
Thanks momma b for the update. I am so glad you are doing better!!!
Take care of yourself, always be your own best friend:)))
Oh, Janetha, Momma B’s post was like a big warm hug. I am so glad that she is on the mend and taking care of herself first. It made me think of my own mom and how selfless she is in all she does for her family and community. It’s so fun that you are doing bikram together, when I visit my mom we do pilates videos together.
Please tell Momma B that she will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. :)
You are so strong momma b we will all be keeping you in our thoughts an prayers!I hope you continue to enjoy and treat yourself!
momma b, you are amazing! Thanks for updating us. I hope your appointment with the heart specialist goes well. You will continue to be in my prayers!
Thank you for the reminder to take some quiet time for ourselves.
So glad to hear you’re doing so well!!! :)
i found the answer to my probiotics question and i thought you’d like to know it, too.
“Dairy products make great delivery vehicles for probiotic bacteria because they are able to buffer the high acidity of the stomach and protect the delicate bacteria from digestive enzymes and bile. Refrigeration, which dairy products require, also helps to stabilize the bacteria prior to ingestion.” http://www.readbreathe.com/getting-cultured-on-probiotics/)
and the article was written by Kath from Kath Eats Real Food (http://www.katheats.com/)
glad to hear your momma b is doing well!
Momma B, so happy to hear things are moving in the right direction! Also, so happy to hear about Bikram. I fell in love with Bikram 4 years ago. You are completely right. There is something so peaceful about those 90 minutes. The heat, sweat, extreme physical exertion… peaceful to me! :)
Momma b,
you know I secretly want you to adopt me, right?
I’m SO glad your doing ok. My dad and I were thinking of you and I was so touched you asked to pray for us at your temple. I teach regular yoga (sans heat cause frankly, I tend to smell when it gets that hot) and its the best thing you can do in your journey to find peace of mind. I’ve been trying to make sure I have “me” time as I’m my dads sole caretaker. It makes me a better caretaker.
Hi momma b, good news!
I’m happy for you and it’s awesome that it enhanced your life in some way (may I put it like that?). It’s funny because I’m reading a lot about how people deal with having a heart problem after an “event” and it does seem that many have a great desire to look after themselves in order to benefit others and those who are important to them. Sorry, I won’t bore you with anymore of my nursing research. Hope your heart specialist appt goes well.
Sending love from the UK :)
Momma B…you are a mom to so many of us, whether you know it or not, you are…and a wonderful “internet mommy” at that!
I am soooo happy that you are doing so well and that things are really looking up for you! I have prayed for your every day and am so happy for this great news!
And congrats on the yoga…I have been practicing/teaching 12 yrs…yoga changed the course of my life, truly :)
momma b, thank you for sharing directly with us. like janetha’s, your writing style is very conversational; reading feels like catching up in person, one-on-one!
so glad you have found quiet, centring time for yourself. and way to go on trying bikram!!
my quiet time is first thing in the morning before the business of the day begins. i love being social, but to begin the day in solitude just sets me on the right course for the next 12+ hours.
all the best, momma b! hope you drop by again!
Hi Momma B! You can adopt me , Michael, and my son Anthony anyday! All you have to do is fed us ice cream and we are content!
I am glad you are doing better, and I think it is great to go get a second opinion at a heart specialist, so on may 4th I will be sending you lots of good luck : )
I love that you are doing hot yoga! I think that is so cool! I know Janetha has been loving it !
It is great to have ‘me’ time, we all need it, life gets so busy and there is too much technology, that it seems we never just shut down and take time to ourselves, even time to just reflect : )
My ‘me’ time is reading a book at night, working out, or taking a hot bath with magazine reading !
Thanks for updating us Momma B! Lots of love to you!!
So glad Moma B is doing well! <3 <3 <3
thanks momma b! I really love hearing from your heart. Glad to know things are going wel. been praying for you!
So glad to hear the good news about your mom!!
You totally summed up something I have always been told. “You have to put the oxygen mask on yourself to save those around you.” God is smiling at you for getting his message and turning this scary time into something positive and sharing it with all of us. You and Janetha send out so much positivity and love, you have no choice but to receive it back!
Glad to hear the good news about Momma B. And I do think it’s sort of funny that your dog and your dad have the same name! My stepmother has the same name as her stepfather which I also find funny. (Leslie)
I am so incredibly glad that Momma B is doing well! :) That is such great news!
I really need to learn how to make “me” time. I have been really stressed and down lately. I am bad at making time for myself and figuring out what to do with my time. I deifnitely need to make that a priority asap! :)
Glad all is well with Momma B! I totally agree – sometimes we just need to step back and relax! Great post! :]
Momma B you are so strong! THank you for sharing your trials and tests with us! Definitely inspiring!
Oh my goodness…my mother has given my multiple copies of “Gift from the Sea” throughout my life. It’s wonderfully and so simple yet so empowering.
Sadly I’m not sure where my “latest” copy is since I”ve moved so many times and books are often the first things I have to leave behind. Yay for libraries!
It’s always nice to hear from mom’s and it sounds like you have an amazing support network which makes all the difference.
Here’s to continued recovery and thanks for the book reminder :)
So glad to hear you’re doing well and super happy to hear that all of the test results were good. Always keeping you guys in my thoughts :) I think its amazing how you do so much for so many people. And a great reminder to all of us to do the same AND take a little time for ourselves :) I consider my (almost) daily workouts my me time (whether I’m teaching or just working out alone). It is the prefect time to just clear my head
i totally agree with you on the filling your own bucket idea. how can we help others if we can’t help ourselves? it’s impossible to *truly* serve if we don’t care for ourselves first. at least that’s my shtick :)
glad you are loving the bikram! keep us updated and stay healthy :)
i reserve a LOT of me time for myself. mental health days are key, and because i’m in grad school and interning i have more opportunities for me time :) me time includes yoga, watching movies alone and cooking alone or with the boyfriend. good times.
Take care Momma B!
I’m so happy all the results were good – that’s awesome!
And this advice is something everyone can and should follow – it’s so important to take quiet time for ourselves, no matter if it’s getting your nails done or taking a hot bath with a good book or taking a walk outside.
This is such great news! I’m so happy that Momma B is doing well and her upbeat attitude is so inspiring. I couldn’t agree more that it is important to take time for yourself so that you can be your best self for your friends and family.
I wish you, Momma B, and your family many, many more happy and healthy years!
I’m go glad you are getting good news for all your test results Momma B! You have an amazing, supportive family!
take care momma b!! :)
Yay! I’m so glad to hear Mamma B is doing well, and the tests came back good! It’s always fun to hear her voice on your blog! Janetha, I love the relationship that you and your mother have – it’s so sweet and makes me wish my mom and I were that close. Such a lucky girl!
My “me” is probably running. I’m not one of those people who like to run in front of a tv – I prefer to zone out and just think and daydream. When I’m not running, I enjoy sitting on my butt watching Property Virgins! So addicting!
So happy to hear the good news.
I agree we all need to take some time for ourselves!
Momma B, so glad to hear you made it through all those tests and that the news is good. I had to wear a heart monitor a few months ago…not fun! It’s good that you’re getting another opinion from a cardiologist as well.
Thank you for the reminder that we all need to take time to care for ourselves. You’re absolutely right! We cannot care for others if our buckets are not full.
The posts from your mom are always so inspirational! I’m so glad to hear she’s doing better AND that she loves Bikram Yoga.
I definitely make time for myself through Yoga, pedicures, massages, or long walks. Some people don’t understand my need for “me time”, but I find it so necessary!
Good post, Mom! But I had to laugh when you described Bikram as silent because that isn’t the imitation that Neef did! ;) Look how many people love you and worry about you! I do, too.
Good to hear from you momma b! Glad to see that things are going well and the tests showed good results! Hope all the news from the Heart Doc is just as positive!! I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers!! I just love Janetha and am so glad to have you all in my (0nline) life! :)
It’s lovely to hear from momma b :) glad all is looking sunnier. My favourite ‘me time’ things to do are body balance, baking and reading a good book – the three b’s! x
Aw this post just warmed my heart. I always want to have my mom guest post. Your mother seems like a very sweet person and am so glad to hear she’s okay. I probably don’t get enough quiet time and when I have it, I’m always watching tv. haha. I definitely agree it’s important to take some time to reflect. Workin on it! Great to hear Momma B is doing Bikram. You go girl!!
So glad there has been good news and that Momma B is doing well! She and your entire family have been on my heart and in my prayers these past few weeks.
I’m very good at making time for myself. I’m a happier and at peace when I do, which translates into all other areas of my life. During all of my school days I never allowed myself the luxury and I was never a truly happy person. It makes all the difference.
I’m so so so glad that you are doing well Momma B!! & I’m so glad that you don’t have to have surgery :) That is FANTASTIC news!
You are still in my thoughts & prayers & I hope that everything continues to go well!! xoxo
Love to hear the good news!!!
Great to hear from you Momma B. My mom is currently going thru the same tests you did (tests, cat scan, MRI, EKG, bubble test) for her heart disease. She is not out of the hospital yet. She is always doing things for others and does not do enough to take care of herself. I think the week she has spent in the hospital she has come to a realization that she needs to take care of herself first.
I always love hearing from you momma b!
J ~ so glad you took some you time especially since Momma B’s post to you too! :)
Momma B ~ Jay and I both LOVE you and so grateful for the good news. We will definitely be thinking of all of you and sending positive vibes for your next appointment.
XOXO,
Me
Yay for feeling better, Mamma B!! :)
So good to hear from you Momma B! I get up and workout in the morning six days a week. I also get a pedicure every two weeks! :) Me time is so essential!
So good to hear from you mamma B! I’m glad you are feeling better and that you have had good news!!! I put your name into the Detroit LDS Temple as soon as I heard what had happened and I will do it again if you need me to!
xoxo
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