Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Transitions...Let me count the ways you annoy me...



I think, for me, one of the greatest frustrations is the variety of faces and stories you encounter in this angioma-dx'd world.

Young, old. Those who love those affected by angiomas, those who have angiomas. One angioma, more than they can count. Operable, not operable, partially operable, and the every joyful sort-of operable. No symptoms, a few deficits, to this really sucks. And I mean really sucks.

No one is quite in your situation. No one quite has the same issues.

It's frustrating.

Right now my world is all about transitions. And that's frustrating too.

As I type, my kitchen is what they fondly call a gut job that has, indeed, been completely gutted. Ditto the bathroom. Transition. Lots of hair being ripped out, and, yes,  most of it is mine.

As I type, spring is considering an appearance. Summer showed up last week with her eighty degree weather, but spring, she's being elusive today.  Some minds need to made up. Winter, spring, or summer, which is it going to be already? Transition. You're driving me insane.

As I type, I'm waiting on the local area service agency to call. Bob's Big Brother is turning 21 this fall. For children with disabilities this is a critical period. He's going to be transitioning from high school to adult services.

Of course, all this requires funding and knowledge of what services he needs and will qualify for, and lots and lots of meetings and paperwork. And phone calls. Lots of phone calls. I'm also going to add lots of phone calls that don't begin when they're supposed to because no one is ever on time for these things.

And while all this is going on, we're shuttling BBB back and forth to Children's Hospital. Issues, he's having them, and once again he's wired for an EEG and has gone into the MRI tube and we wait for answers.

But then that's the part of angiomas that isn't that discussed a lot for those of us who love those affected. The medical paperwork, applying for guardianship and SSI, and services and dealing with agencies, all while dealing with the health issues that just won't stop.

And of course the part about letting your children grow up and become independent adults. Or, well, as independent as they can be. It's hard to find others who are going through the same exact thing.

So. Yeah. Today I'm frustrated with transitions.  Doesn't mean life isn't good or it won't be less annoying tomorrow, and, sure, this is all fleeting. But it would be really nice if the sun would come out and my water worked...Just saying.

:)

Thursday, March 22, 2012

2012 Angioma Alliance Patient & Family Conference

Yes!!

June 22-23, 2012 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The conference is being co-hosted by Angioma Alliance and the University of New Mexico, Department of Neurology.

Check it out here.

Is it me, or do those pictures not make Santa Fe look like the quaintest place ever???

Thursday, March 1, 2012

New Facebook Group for Parents & Kids

One thing you can never have enough of is support. I don't care who you are, or what you're dealing with. It's invaluable. And the best part of technology is that it opens up the world to you, esp when it comes to others facing the same issues you are dealing with...

Check out the new Facebook page Angioma Alliance for parents and children.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Road Trip!

 




If you've been reading the Angioma Alliance website/blog and newsletters, you know there was a big change this year. Connie Lee, the Alliance founder and President has transitioned to the role of Ambassador/Founder and a Program Coordinator position. 

What does this mean? Well, what I'm most excited about is that she and her twelve year old daughter Julia are launching a six-month road trip on January 21st to raise awareness of the disease and encourage enrollment in the Patient Registry.


They're going to be heading to Boston come August. Holding my breath we'll get to meet up with them...ironically enough, we're supposed to be heading down south that month...ARGH. 


Meanwhile. Check out the registry and tissue bank here. Watch the road trip adventures here. And get the itinerary here.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Resolutions




Yeah, yeah, I know.

I like to keep mine simple and attainable. Like I will eat x amt of donuts this year.

Looking for some ideas of your own? Then check out this brilliant blog post Thirty Things To Stop Doing To Yourself. 

Gotta say I love the last one. Stop being ungrateful. Nice.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year!!!


Another year over...and new one begun...

May your be happy and healthy. xoxoxo

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Charity Now

Yes! It's that time again. 


You know, the time when I get the chance to say thank you to you, my readers, because  it's entirely your doing that I got to once again donate my royalties to a charity.





How I love seeing those payments come in. Oh, yes, I do. Because it means we're making a difference together. However big or small, we're doing it.


It's just too sweet to give back when you can, and when I started this whole writing thing I swore that I made any $$$ it would go to a charity directly involved in making Angiomas a tad less suckworthy.


Um, they're still suckworthy. Don't get me wrong. But hey, like I always say--these donations aren't a lot but they're still something which is actually quite something.


Right? So. It's something.

Anyway, as always, this doesn't mean the job is done. Oh, no. So, just a reminder, this blog is offered on subscription on Amazon, and meanwhile -- it's the end of the year and those charities would reallyyyyyyy love your direct donation as well.  Plus, it's a great way to get back at the IRS. Just saying. Something to think about as we creep closer to 2012...



Xoxoxo


Thursday, December 8, 2011

Saturday, November 19, 2011

2011 Angioma Alliance Pathobiology of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations Scientific Workshop



I hope you've been following Connie Lee's live blogging from France. (If not, go here.) Make sure you check out her final take away message from the Workshop here as well.

 “Without you, there can be no cure”...

Her words are poignant, and necessary. 

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Live Blogging from Scientific Workshop




Join Conne Lee on the Angioma Alliance blog as she live posts from the three day 2011 Angioma Alliance Pathobiology of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations Scientific Workshop in France. 


Her intro is here and Day One is here and here. 


Day Two.


Day Three.


You don't want to miss it!