Saturday, February 13, 2010

Happy Craniversary!

It's been about 3 months since I've written, but I'm back on the blog because yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of the craniotomy! We celebrated by going out to dinner with some friends, and we had a great time. And we're also getting ready to go on a mini (warm) vacation. Life can't get much better than that!

So to get you updated on what's been going on the past three months, here's a rundown:

1. I started going back to work. I'm probably working around 15 hours a week (and answering emails most times even when not in the office), so that's excellent news. I definitely try to keep my 'off days' when I don't go into the office very low key.

2. My love of reading has only increased. When I came home from work before surgery, I was quite content camping out in front of the TV. Now, I LOVE crawling into bed and reading some Sookie Stackhouse! I even read sometimes before I get my day going in the mornings. And I always read before I go to bed.

3. I started working out again. Then stopped because I was just so tired all the time. Now I'm back at it. The most I really like to do is 20-25 minutes easy on the eliptical. But I am doing my Yoga, and I absolutely love it. I'm up to about twice a week.

4. Kevin and I got through the holidays. I really didn't think they would be hard, but they were.

5. I discovered The Twilight Series. I blame Kevin for this. I was already obsessed with the vampires because of the True Blood series on HBO. He encouraged me to get the first book of the Twilight series when we were at Wal-Mart doing some Christmas shopping. I read them all in record time (see #2). I still think that Eric and/or Bill could kick Edward's ass. But I love them vampire stories!

6. I had my most recent panic attack on a plane 2 weeks ago. Kevin was with me and it was more to do with messing up my schedule than anything else, but I still do get panicky and weepy at times. But it's getting better.

7. I now liken myself to a baby. You mess up my eating or sleeping schedule - or throw in a long dinner with friends, or a lunch. Or anything where I have to do a lot of talking. And it is bad news. (see #6)

8. I went to Boston to see a neuroendocrinologist at Mass General, more to just get a second opinion on why I can't gain any weight and to check hormone levels. The trip was grinding (I met my mom out there, but had to fly there myself). But it was worthwhile. My thyroid is working well, but they emphasized that I need to get my T4 checked every 6 months (as opposed to having a TSH test). I have signs of hypothyroid but not enough to warrant putting me on anything, especially because it could cause me to lose weight. Not what I need right now. Oh, and I slept 14 hours when I got home (see #7).

9. My hormones are really working to normalize. I'm hopeful that things sort out on my own. Go body, go!

10. I've got 3 different haircuts! Basically, the left side is normal and darker. Most of the right is very fine blonde, with white wiry hairs sticking out. And I have a backwards "L" shape on my scalp that has still yet to fill in. Needless to say, this whole hair growing out thing is taking FOR-EVER. I guess it's to be expected when the beam was concentrated right below the surface of the scalp. But it's really pissing me off!

I won't be gone this long again! I've got another MRI coming up, and I'll post the results here!