Babies, Books and Brains

It's been an eventful three days. You've already read about Uncle Darren's departure, so I'll forge ahead with yesterday's big occasion: Megan Leigh Wampler was born at 4:02 pm, weighing 7 lbs 2 oz, 19 1/2 inches long. She's such a cutie!!


While the newest addition to the Wampler clan adjusts to 'life on the outside', her sister Jane is visiting us here in Salt Lake for a while. Here's a pic of some quality time with her and my brother Michael, who is most certainly one of Jane's favorite people:


And so on from Babies to Books: I swung by Barnes and Noble yesterday to pick up a highly anticipated book: The Squire's Quest by Gerald Morris. I've been reading the series for a few years now, and this most recent addition features the original main character, Terence, who at the beginning of the series becomes squire to Sir Gawain, named a knight in King Arthur's court early in the book. Characters throughout the series include Terence, Sir Gawain, Sir Tor, King Arthur (of course), Sir Kai, Sir Bedivere, Sir Dinadan, Sir Lancelot, Tristan and Iseult, Sir Palomides, and soo many more classic characters of Arthurian legend. Finding it hard to go to sleep last night, I ended up finishing the book in the wee hours of the morning.

Now along to Brains--as to why I found sleep slow to arrive (despite the fact I was really truly yawningly tired early in the evening), on Monday I had scheduled my MRI for today at noon. I had to convince myself that reading Harry's Future really wouldn't prepare me for the MRI and hauled myself out the door ten minutes before my appointment. Three minutes later I walked into the office and filled out the paperwork. Fortunately I didn't have to wear a gown for the MRI, and so was able to remain comfortable in my own clothing for the test. I was also able to listen to the radio during the test, though I think they need to get Bose to take a look at quality headphones that wouldn't interfere with the imaging. I was slid into the snug machine after being told to remain completely still, which oddly enough wasn't that difficult. The headphones fit comfortably and helped keep my head stable in the machine. I didn't care for the contraption they put over my head and snug over my chest, but the air was well circulated so I didn't end up feeling particularly claustrophobic once I'd gotten used to the noises of the machine itself. I was a bit dizzy and fuzzy afterwards, but made it home safely. I'm glad I have the day off to just sit back and do whatever the heck I want to do :)

I'm not sure how long it'll take before I get the results. They'll send them to my cardiologist once the radiologist has a chance to look them over, at which point I'll also be able to request a copy of the results. I'm a little nervous of the unknown, but at the same time until something is known I'm trying not to stress about it. Time, and the results, will tell. Again, until then, there are lessons I am learning in this process, and I know that I will be able to use whatever information I gain now in the future, for any number of experiences to come.

UPDATE: I'll be meeting with the cardiologist for the follow up next Thursday afternoon.

Thank You Uncle Darren

I was very grateful to have today off, as I was then able to go out to see my Uncle Darren off. He was deployed along with 44 other National Guard members to Iraq. This will be his second tour there. The departure ceremony started at 10:00 this morning, with Uncle Darren standing out in front of his platoon. Yep, that's him, in the center (this picture is from ksl I believe--several tv crews were there and our family made it on several of their cameras):


And here is a view from my seat amidst the friends and family of the soldiers:


After the initial ceremony we all gathered around our loved ones. Here's a quick picture of Darren, Karsen, Ethan and Joey:


Though it was certainly chilly, we soon made our way out to the Black Hawk helicopters. As the leader, Darren had signed for them, so we of course appreciated the fact that they were all "his" ;) We spent the next hour or so around the helicopter that he would be leaving in-taking pictures, talking in general, striving not to cry (some of us were more successful than others), and chasing Michael and Ethan around. Karsen also got a piggy-back ride from me, and then we helped keep each other warm.

I was able to get several videos, but as they are on my cell phone I won't subject you to each of them. I did want to offer this one at least. I wanted to get all four helicopters with their blades going, but my angle was wrong to have them all in one shot. The main focus is on his craft, though I warn you, turn down/off your computer volume before hitting play-it's loud, and my cell phone mic isn't exactly the best:




It was quite the sight, watching those 45 men and women take off in formation to serve our country (actually 21 left today, the rest will be leaving tomorrow). My thanks to all those who stand for our freedom, and my special thanks to you, Uncle Darren, for your great example. We all love you.

Boys Named after Prisons...or is it vice versa?

Actually, it's the boy's ancestors that have prisons named after them, just as he was also named after them. But more of that later. (To those familiar with the series, insert internal chuckle here).

It's been quite the week. Mike has been out of the office on a "stay-cation", leaving me to cover both my usual duties and pick up any slack. Frankly, some things have gone undone, but I'd like to think that we've managed quite well, thank you very much. I am confessedly tired, but on one line of thought I haven't had a break this week (I don't count my day off, as I spent it in bed with a migraine and then only got about half an hour to an hour of not so restful sleep before working a 9.5 hour day). Ah well. I must admit somewhat selfishly that I have enjoyed having the office largely to myself. It definitely makes for a more focused work environment. At least when I had the chance to use it.

There are two rather pointed events this week, though, one definitely positive, one part of an ongoing process. As to the latter, I had my follow-up appointment at the Heart and Lung Institute today. Not as informative as I would have liked it to be, as I met with a PA instead of the Dr. and he hadn't been able to get all the information beforehand. I do however have a referral to get an MRI done of my brain. As mentioned before, PFO's increase the likelihood of strokes. People can actually have strokes without knowing it. Some studies are linking migraines to brain lesions. I have also heard of those whose migraines have actually caused brain damage. Considering the incredible physical strain I've experienced in my own migraines, I suppose I'm not particularly surprised. I don't know that I'll have had any such issues, but considering I was pretty sure I didn't have a hole my heart I think I'll just wait for the results.

On a happier note, the former event of the week involves a very good author, Brandon Sanderson, releasing the third book of a rather hilarious series: The Alcatraz books. Alcatraz vs. the Knights of Crystallia was released yesterday. I was able to make it to the bookstore to pick it up before returning home to crash for the night an hour later. While sad that I couldn't keep myself awake long enough to finish it, it certainly put a smile on my face as I read it during lunch (before my dr appt), during dinner (on break after being called back into work), and then after I got home, where I read the final two-thirds in approximately 2 to 3 hours. Not the longest book, but definitely a worthy addition to the collection!! Alcatraz is a boy raised here in the United States, deep within the "Hushlands," the Evil Librarian-controlled world that we know of. What we don't know about are the Free Lands of Nalhalla, Mokia, and one or two others that I confess due to the late hour I've forgotten. Because the Librarian cults are evil, they name famous prisons after freelander leaders, and majestic mountains after themselves. Alcatraz, one of the most infamous prisons ever, is named after our young hero's ancestor, Alcatraz the First, a notoriously powerful leader who's "Talent" was breaking things. He even broke his people's language, disguising their most powerful secrets for generations. He also broke time, leaving his tomb suspended and protected from the ravages of time in the heart of the Library of Alexandria.

On a final note, I've created another blog. Why? Because I was in the mood. There are also things that for whatever reason I've felt self-concious posting on this one. Hence, for a much more random strain of my thoughts (perhaps more closely reflecting the reality of my personal habits of flickering from serious or mundane to rather silly and off-the-wall) feel free to check out the new blog at amusedchameleon.blogspot.com.

Life Lessons

I have a hole in my heart. Am I scared? Not particularly, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't at least nervous about it. Before you start worrying, though, let me explain the nature of said hole (bear in mind that I'm not a medical professional!).

It's called a Patent Foramen Ovale. Before we are born, there is an opening between the left and right sides of the heart, as we get our oxygen from our mothers. After birth, the opening seals, so that blood will pass from the body, through the right side to the lungs, back through the left side and to the rest of the body. In one out of four people (yes, an entire 25% of the world's population), said hole remains open, to some degree or another. This allows some blood to pass from the right atrium to the left without getting filtered by the lungs and getting oxygenated. The majority of people never experience adverse effects from the PFO (aka right to left shunt), and don't even know they have it.

In some, however, there are side effects. Shortness of breath, exhaustion in general, increase risk of ischemic stroke (due to blood clots possibly passing from right to left without getting filtered out by the lungs), and-the reason I was tested in the first place-migraines. I've read that there are a few treatment options, which I'm sure I'll learn more of in my follow-up appointment next Friday. The one I've read most about is called a transcatheter closure (I think...I only saw that name one place, it probably goes by one or two others as well). A device is inserted into the hole, which fans out and seals it from both sides of the heart chambers. Over time natural tissue grows over the patch. This keeps the blood flowing into the lungs, where it's supposed to go.

There is much debate over the effectiveness in the procedure in treating migraines. For some the migraines increase. In others, however, the migraines are decreased or even stop all together. I confess some hope that by having this procedure performed I could stop getting so many headaches. I don't know if my cardiologist will recommend it, or if he did that my insurance would pay for it, so I'm not planning anything until after I meet with him on Friday.

For now I bear in mind that I've had migraines all my life (mom says they started around when I was 2 years old). I've lived with them for over 2 decades, and will live with them longer if need be. I have the same heart now that I've always had, and it functions the way it's supposed to as far as exhibiting the behaviors of a healthy heart (I know this from the stress echo last Thursday, not to mention that I haven't dropped dead yet, thank you very much). I'm not going to die anytime soon, so I plan to keep on living ;). I do however appreciate a new take on some things, a new point of view. Not in everything, not yet, but then no change occurs over night. It comes in small things, sometimes a matter of reflection, other times catching me by surprise.

Whatever happens, there are lessons I am learning from this experience. Good lessons that I can use throughout my life. And for that, I am grateful.

Of Hearts and Heads

Last week was an absolutely insane one. I was up, down, in, out, generally everywhere, physically and emotionally. Work was chaotic, but since when is that new?

One of the things that occupies my attention most, however, is my upcoming visit to the Heart and Lung institute for a heart test. Worried? I keep trying to convince myself that I'm not, but who wouldn't be, at least a little.

It all started a few weeks ago when I went to the dr's office for dizziness and sinus pressure. Not much happened on that front, but while I was there the doctor noticed that I generally have a slower heart beat than usual. For kicks and giggles we did an EKG, which she said a visiting cardiologist would look at within the next couple of weeks. A few days later I got a call from her office about a culture that came back negative, and I asked the person who called if a cardiologist would still be reviewing the results. My doctor called back to confirm it, and I mentioned that I had since been reminded that my grandpa had a pacemaker put in due to his slow heart rate. The next day she called and asked if I would like to be present while he reviewed the results, and I agreed.

That appointment had some interesting results. The cardiologist wasn't concerned about my EKG, but the subject of my migraines came up, and he informed me that there is a heart condition that can contribute to chronic migraines like mine. In one out of four people there is a shunt in the heart that doesn't close after birth. Usually no biggie, there are occasions when an open shunt can cause migraines, or other health concerns. I go in for a treadmill test soon to find out whether or not that could be the cause of my migraines.

I dare say that I am becoming increasingly intrigued. I've spent the last 26 hours with a migraine of varying intensity. It started as a sinus & stress headache, and rapidly advanced into full-blown misery. Normally my migraines last only 12 hours or so. While I didn't relish going to work on the back of a nasty night's rest, I nonetheless had planned on doing just that-until I tried getting out of bed and was largely unsuccessful. I called in to work and sent out an email requesting the delay of a phone meeting and went back to sleep...until about 2 in the afternoon. By that point, while I still had the headache, I was able to eat a bowl of cereal. Two hours later I was able to eat a couple of burritos and spend the rest of my time out of bed. I still have a headache, but at least I can function. Sigh.

Do I relish the idea of a possible heart condition? No. If I had said heart condition and fixing it would fix my migraines would I do it? In a heartbeat (pun intended ;) ). What if I don't have that heart condition? Well, then I'll rest well for having a healthy heart and keep getting the same migraines that I've had for my entire life, as long as I can remember. It's possible that the cause is neurological, in which case I might be recommended an MRI test, but I think I'll take it one step at a time.

New Digs

I had all of these grand plans of posting pictures of the move in process-empty rooms to fully unpacked and set up. Ah the best laid plans...ok so maybe they weren't the best laid plans...well, here are a few at least.

I had all of my stuff moved into my apartment as of two weeks ago tomorrow. The bed, the couch, the tv, everything. I spent several hours moving books back and setting them up in order, or at least my order--according to how likely I am to re-read it.

These are all of the books I had in my possession at the time of my move. I gathered another five of them back from family and friends before I finished shelving them, and have at least another 10 lent out. I had them all stacked on my coffee (I mean hot chocolate) table, but had to start stacking them on the floor when I ran out of room...

Here they are, all nice and shelved (again with the exception of the one's I've lent out. Probably closer to 12 or 15 the more I think of it...)


My old desktop is set up, and my entertainment center has already presented a season and a half of Star Trek: Voyager. All of my dishes are put away, for the most part at least, and I have food in my cupboard. Or at least I did, it's time to go shopping again! All of my laundry is done, now if only it would hang itself...ah well.

One of the key features in my decor comes from Discovery Gateway. We recently hosted an art exhibit that boasted some very talented High School student art. As our interactive portion, patrons could sign up for a cork tile workshop, where they made found-art collages on cork tiles that could then become part of the exhibit. A large number of these pieces went unclaimed at the end of the exhibit, and as my boss didn't have the heart to throw them away, I decided to take advantage of my formerly bare living room walls to spare him the heartache. I now have over 50 of the tiles across my wall, and I'm absolutely loving it :) Here are a couple of pictures:

Here are about half of them on my living room wall. The couch has since been moved back and now sits about a foot and a half under the bottom row.


Thank the cell phone for the great pics. The wall actually is white, but I took these at different times and, obviously, different lighting. This is a close up of some tiles on the next wall over.


I spend the majority of my time back here watching tv (currently flipping back and forth from Disney's The Ice Princess and Jean Claude Van Damme in Blood Sport), playing around on the internet, and trying to keep up on the cleaning. I've already hosted FHE once, and am going to again next Monday. Here's hoping I'll be able to get off from work in time to bake the now-promised brownies! I bought supplies a couple of weeks ago and ran out of time, but this time I have an extra hour or so to prepare, so I should be able to manage it :)

Happy and Sad, Sad and Happy

Opposition in all things, right? Fortunately for me, my glass is half full. Most of the time ;).

Lisa and Christian were able to move the bulk of their belongings out of the back last Saturday. Due to some plumbing fun, however, they still have bits and pieces lying around. Not a huge deal, but it does mean that I cannot yet move all of my belongings. Happy, or sad?

Both.

Sad: I would have liked to be able to move all of my stuff at once, have it officially be "my place" right off the bat.

Happy: I have good and valid excuse to take my time getting stuff moved in

Sad: It will be another week or two before I can host FHE

Happy: It will be another week or two before I can host FHE ;)

Sad: I'll have to go up to the front of the house for good reading material

Happy: I have time in which to move all of my books- they're rather heavy all told-the down side of owning so many

Sad: My shoulder, which had been much improved, is not particularly happy with what I've done so far today (moving the bed, and with Christian's help the dresser)

Happy: My heaviest piece of furniture (besides my couch) is now in place and will not have to be moved again.

Sad: ...Nah, that's enough sad for now.

Happy: I have time to shampoo the carpets before I move everything back. I've already done the bedroom, now I just have to do the living room and dining area. I'm also way excited to have my own bathroom, not to mention the most preferable bathroom in the house :).

All told, I'm pretty happy. I think, however, that if I had to move all of my belongings today I'd end up back in physical therapy for my shoulder, and that would most certainly not be a Happy. Fortunately, that's not the case. I'll be glad for now that I have time, and that I have a much better wireless internet connection now :)