The 2nd Annual John Assante Memorial Aneurysm Walk is taking place this Sunday, September 26. The walk begins at 9am at Mizner Park Amphitheater, Boca Raton. I have been asked by the Assante family to speak as a survivor. I will be sharing my story before the walk begins. I am looking forward to having an opportunity to share my experience as well as hear from other survivors.
The Ohs are all doing well. School is keeping us very busy. The kids have so much homework and it seems there is always a school event to attend. Spencer has a great teacher who is very quite and organized and he is doing very well. Sydney has the same teacher Spencer had in first grade. Brogan is attending a 1/2 day VPK program and I am working at a small TOTS (Teaching our Toddlers Spiritually)program 2 days a week as a teacher.
Hope all is well with everyone. Be in touch.
9/20/2010
6/21/2010
Hi Bloggers! I returned to Gainesville on June 10 for a two year follow-up appointment with Dr.Hoh, my neurosugeon. The visit consisted of a CT scan and CT with contrast. The report was perfect. The clip is exactly where it is suppose to be and no new aneurysms reported. I was released for two years and will return at 4 years post-op. I am learning my "new" normal and realize that I can not do things exactly like before surgery. I fatique much easier and struggle with bouts of depression but Dr.Hoh says these are effects from the surgery and he does not know why some suffer these effects more than others. Oh well, I am alive and kicking so Thank God for that.
SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER!!! It is so great to have all of my kids home for the summer. I did not realize how much I miss having Spencer and Sydney around during the day and Brogan is especially glad to have them. I think I am a little boring for him :)
Have a great summer!!
SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER!!! It is so great to have all of my kids home for the summer. I did not realize how much I miss having Spencer and Sydney around during the day and Brogan is especially glad to have them. I think I am a little boring for him :)
Have a great summer!!
2/01/2010
February 1!! Yikes. I think I lost an entire month. We are full blown into sports with Spencer. Basketball, soccer and baseball all overlapping so I do not stop. I have been training to run a 5k and accomplished that goal a couple of weeks ago. My first 5k in 38 years!! I ran it in 35 minutes, 2 seconds. Sadly, my joints are not as young as they used to be and I went at it a little too fast and hurt my hip. I have taken a week off from running to get hip pain under control. I am so ready to get back out there and would love to be able to run a 1/2 marathon next January. We shall see.
Well, another step in the recovery process. I actually wore my hair in a ponytail today and went to the school to volunteer. I know you are asking what in the world is she talking about. I have a pretty ugly scar that is only obvious when my hair is pulled back. I decided that it is a part of me and it is not going away. I deserve to show it off!! I made it and no one said a word. Guess they think I just made a strange part in my hair :0) I may start a new fad.
Hope everyone is doing well. Keep on keeping on!!
Holly
Well, another step in the recovery process. I actually wore my hair in a ponytail today and went to the school to volunteer. I know you are asking what in the world is she talking about. I have a pretty ugly scar that is only obvious when my hair is pulled back. I decided that it is a part of me and it is not going away. I deserve to show it off!! I made it and no one said a word. Guess they think I just made a strange part in my hair :0) I may start a new fad.
Hope everyone is doing well. Keep on keeping on!!
Holly
12/11/2009
Wow! How time flies. I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is here. What a wonderful time of year! To celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know for many it is a very sad time, being without those we love. I hope that the joy of Jesus' birth, the reason for the season can bring warmth, happiness, peace and joy to you this season! We are in full swing preparing for Christmas. The stockings are hung, manger scene is up, Christmas tree decorated, house decorated and packages mailed to out of state family. I am so excited for Christmas this year as I feel so much better and seem to be a little ahead. I know, ahead at Christmas, probably not! But, I have tricked myself into believing I am ahead. Our church has a wonderful Christmas program I attended Weds. to really get into the spirit. The next few weeks are filled with parties and luncheons. We are going to Gainesville tomorrow night for Cortney's department party. Spencer, Sydney and Brogan all have parties next week in their classes. Cortney has a luncheon at his Ft. Pierce office next week as well. So, I guess we will eat and party right up to Christmas day. I hope this e-mail finds everyone doing fabulous. Love to you all.
By the way, the 1st Annual John Assante Brain Aneurysm Awareness Walk was a great success. We met John's beautiful family and greatly enjoyed the day. We look forward to attending the walk for many years.
Holly
By the way, the 1st Annual John Assante Brain Aneurysm Awareness Walk was a great success. We met John's beautiful family and greatly enjoyed the day. We look forward to attending the walk for many years.
Holly
9/24/2009
September is Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month!! Log on to www.bafound.org to learn the facts and make a donation.
School is back in full swing. Spencer is doing great and is reading like a champ. He has several of his good buddies in his class and really loves school. Sydney, my little kindergartener, is loving school. She has such an awesome teacher and stays so busy. When she gets home from school in the afternoon she is like a zombie. The days are long and hard on her but she doesn't mind. I remember the day when you only had 1/2 day kindergarten and Spencer took naps in kindergarten. No so these days. Brogan is enrolled at the same preschool as last year. It is only 2 short mornings a week but just enough for him to have some social interaction. He loves to visit Spencer and Sydney at school and their teachers are great about him being around.
Cortney left today for a World Aquaculture Society meeting in VeraCruz, Mexico. He will be gone for 7 nights. My work load will increase with the three kids but the nights are going to be quiet and peaceful.
Well, that's about it for now. I will update soon. I will be attending the 1st Annual John Assante Memorial Aneurysm walk in Boca Raton this weekend. I look forward to meeting other survivors!
Peace and Love!
School is back in full swing. Spencer is doing great and is reading like a champ. He has several of his good buddies in his class and really loves school. Sydney, my little kindergartener, is loving school. She has such an awesome teacher and stays so busy. When she gets home from school in the afternoon she is like a zombie. The days are long and hard on her but she doesn't mind. I remember the day when you only had 1/2 day kindergarten and Spencer took naps in kindergarten. No so these days. Brogan is enrolled at the same preschool as last year. It is only 2 short mornings a week but just enough for him to have some social interaction. He loves to visit Spencer and Sydney at school and their teachers are great about him being around.
Cortney left today for a World Aquaculture Society meeting in VeraCruz, Mexico. He will be gone for 7 nights. My work load will increase with the three kids but the nights are going to be quiet and peaceful.
Well, that's about it for now. I will update soon. I will be attending the 1st Annual John Assante Memorial Aneurysm walk in Boca Raton this weekend. I look forward to meeting other survivors!
Peace and Love!
8/10/2009
I am not sure there is anyone in my blog world, it has been so long. The summer has been soooo busy that I have neglected my on-line duty of keeping everyone informed :) But, for those of you who may be sticking with me, here we go......
I guess my last post was just after seeing the doctor for my one year check-up. It is amazing the healing that God provides during a year. It is also so strange how I seemed to rapidly improve once I hit the one year mark. Is is that I am really that much better overnight or just so thankful to know I actually lived another year, that things seem to be easier? I am not sure but Praise God for standing right beside me through it all and lifting me up over and over again throughout the past year. I still have occasional weird symptoms, but have learned to live with them and not have anxiety over whether they should be occuring or not. I am more physically active today than I was before the surgery. I am going to be starting a two week "boot camp" next week, hosted by a fitness friend who wants to help a few friends get "beat" into shape. It should be interesting!!
Let's see, aside from a fabulous check up in June, we also celebrated Spencer's birthday. He was 7 years old on June 24 and requested a trip to Disney World for his big day. They are running a promotion for a free trip on your birthday so we finally took the plunge and my kids and husband are no longer "disney virgins" heehehe. We had such a fun day. We waited to arrive at 3 pm so the sun was not as intense and the park was open until midnight so we had plenty of time. We all had a great time and look forward to returning, IN THE WINTER!!
The month of July was spent going, going, going!! We took in free movies at the local theatre, went swimming at the numerous pools in the area, played in the fountains, went to the beach, had a summer picnic at the school. Basically, we just played and played. What a fun summer we have had and so different from last year.
The kids have also attended a couple of VBS and Spencer attended a baseball camp at Indian River State College. We have stayed busy.
We celebrated Sydney's 5th birthday August 1. We had three little girls over for a "Chef" party. They decorated aprons with paint and fabric markers, then they kneaded and rolled out pizza dough. They were able to top their pizza with the toppings of their choice. Then they decorated cupcakes and even got to frost and decorate the birthday cake. They had a blast! Sydney turned 5 on August 5th and we took in a movie and had lunch at her favorite restaurant. Cortney had a business meeting in Memphis that week so after lunch he took off for a two night stay in Memphis. We have a camping trip planned this weekend at a local state park. They have a year round 72 degree spring so we hope that will help with the heat factor!! It should be an experience as this is the first camping trip we have taken as a family of 5! The last camping trip Sydney was a small baby, still nursing. Say a little prayer for us. We decided that we desperatley needed a vacation but what do you do when you have no money???? CAMP!!!! Cortney has been soooooo busy at work. His days have been 8am - 6pm all summer so he needs a break. Back to nature should be great for him. It will be even better if we don't have cell phone reception, yea right.
Well, the summer is winding down and the kids will be returning to school on August 24. I have NEVER dreaded school so much. I think it is because I am going to be sending my sweet little girl to kindergarten. I can hardly believe it is time for her to begin school. Please say a prayer for her little soul on August 24. I pray that we have set a solid foundation for her and that she may be able to shine a light of God on those she is in contact with. I pray the same for Spencer, who will be starting 2nd grade!!!
I will go for now as the kids are screaming to go swimming at the neighbors. I will update after the camping trip.
Love and peace to you all.
I guess my last post was just after seeing the doctor for my one year check-up. It is amazing the healing that God provides during a year. It is also so strange how I seemed to rapidly improve once I hit the one year mark. Is is that I am really that much better overnight or just so thankful to know I actually lived another year, that things seem to be easier? I am not sure but Praise God for standing right beside me through it all and lifting me up over and over again throughout the past year. I still have occasional weird symptoms, but have learned to live with them and not have anxiety over whether they should be occuring or not. I am more physically active today than I was before the surgery. I am going to be starting a two week "boot camp" next week, hosted by a fitness friend who wants to help a few friends get "beat" into shape. It should be interesting!!
Let's see, aside from a fabulous check up in June, we also celebrated Spencer's birthday. He was 7 years old on June 24 and requested a trip to Disney World for his big day. They are running a promotion for a free trip on your birthday so we finally took the plunge and my kids and husband are no longer "disney virgins" heehehe. We had such a fun day. We waited to arrive at 3 pm so the sun was not as intense and the park was open until midnight so we had plenty of time. We all had a great time and look forward to returning, IN THE WINTER!!
The month of July was spent going, going, going!! We took in free movies at the local theatre, went swimming at the numerous pools in the area, played in the fountains, went to the beach, had a summer picnic at the school. Basically, we just played and played. What a fun summer we have had and so different from last year.
The kids have also attended a couple of VBS and Spencer attended a baseball camp at Indian River State College. We have stayed busy.
We celebrated Sydney's 5th birthday August 1. We had three little girls over for a "Chef" party. They decorated aprons with paint and fabric markers, then they kneaded and rolled out pizza dough. They were able to top their pizza with the toppings of their choice. Then they decorated cupcakes and even got to frost and decorate the birthday cake. They had a blast! Sydney turned 5 on August 5th and we took in a movie and had lunch at her favorite restaurant. Cortney had a business meeting in Memphis that week so after lunch he took off for a two night stay in Memphis. We have a camping trip planned this weekend at a local state park. They have a year round 72 degree spring so we hope that will help with the heat factor!! It should be an experience as this is the first camping trip we have taken as a family of 5! The last camping trip Sydney was a small baby, still nursing. Say a little prayer for us. We decided that we desperatley needed a vacation but what do you do when you have no money???? CAMP!!!! Cortney has been soooooo busy at work. His days have been 8am - 6pm all summer so he needs a break. Back to nature should be great for him. It will be even better if we don't have cell phone reception, yea right.
Well, the summer is winding down and the kids will be returning to school on August 24. I have NEVER dreaded school so much. I think it is because I am going to be sending my sweet little girl to kindergarten. I can hardly believe it is time for her to begin school. Please say a prayer for her little soul on August 24. I pray that we have set a solid foundation for her and that she may be able to shine a light of God on those she is in contact with. I pray the same for Spencer, who will be starting 2nd grade!!!
I will go for now as the kids are screaming to go swimming at the neighbors. I will update after the camping trip.
Love and peace to you all.
6/13/2009
Great news from Gainesville on the June 11 check-up. Following the CT scan with contrast, Dr. Hoh reports NO new aneurysms and that the clip is in perfect position with no new growth around it! The best news we could receive. He stated that the further away from surgery I get, the less chances that a new aneurysm will develop. While waiting for the CT scan and then again in the doctors waiting room, I spoke to the funniest and nicest man who was back for his 2 year clip check-up and also to a lady who was back for a 6 month check-up. We all share the same doctor and our aneurysms are all in very similar spots. We compared scars, hair growth and side effects. It was really nice to talk to others that have been through similar experiences. I truly have a desire to begin a support group in the Treasure Coast area for aneurysm survivors as well as caregivers of aneurysm survivors. I will be in prayer about this and see what opportunities God provides.
To celebrate my one year "annie"versary I purchased a basket that I filled with crackers, chocolates, food, food, food, toothbrushes, toothpaste, playing cards, tissues, gum, etc. Cortney and I delivered the basket along with a note to the neurosurgery ICU. This is the waiting room where Cortney, Mom and Freeman waited for me and spent 48 hours. Cortney was so touched by his experience during this time and it has truly affected him more than he even knows. There was a lady in the waiting room when we visited whose husband has been there for 31 days and she is not sure when he will be leaving the ICU. He had a brain bleed that led to many other problems. She was so touched by the basket as were the others with loved ones there. We all talked about God and His mighty love and power and had a good cry together. Please keep families with ill loved ones in your prayers daily. We all too often get caught up in our daily stresses and forget the pain and troubles so many are going through.
I mowed the lawn yesterday and took the kids swimming and this morning I ran 2.4 miles. I am feeling great!! Go out and enjoy someone today! Peace and Love.
Holly
To celebrate my one year "annie"versary I purchased a basket that I filled with crackers, chocolates, food, food, food, toothbrushes, toothpaste, playing cards, tissues, gum, etc. Cortney and I delivered the basket along with a note to the neurosurgery ICU. This is the waiting room where Cortney, Mom and Freeman waited for me and spent 48 hours. Cortney was so touched by his experience during this time and it has truly affected him more than he even knows. There was a lady in the waiting room when we visited whose husband has been there for 31 days and she is not sure when he will be leaving the ICU. He had a brain bleed that led to many other problems. She was so touched by the basket as were the others with loved ones there. We all talked about God and His mighty love and power and had a good cry together. Please keep families with ill loved ones in your prayers daily. We all too often get caught up in our daily stresses and forget the pain and troubles so many are going through.
I mowed the lawn yesterday and took the kids swimming and this morning I ran 2.4 miles. I am feeling great!! Go out and enjoy someone today! Peace and Love.
Holly
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