What The World Needs Now...

Hey There Everybody,

I hope you all had a wonderful week, and I cannot even begin to express how much I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. This weekend is very special for me. One year ago, I rescued my little guy, Jack, from a shelter. It was definitely love at first sight, and I can’t imagine what life would have been like without him. He definitely makes everyday so much better with that cute face of his.

If you follow me on Facebook, you would know that I have been working on a blog regarding my childhood and relationship with my dad growing up. It was very raw and therapeutic to write, but sometimes life throws a curveball. You see, my paternal grandmother passed away a couple of days ago… ironically, the day after I finished the blog. I haven’t been close to my father’s side of the family for quite some time, but I do have a place in my heart for them. Out of respect to my grandmother and to my dad’s family, I decided to postpone releasing that blog. RIP Grandma Sadie.

This week also brought some major news in regards to my health. As I mentioned in my previous blog, I’m dealing with something called Hashimoto Thyroiditis. It involves lots of doctor’s visits and tests and such. During my latest visit, I found out I lost more weight (70 pounds in two months), but I also got the pleasure of learning that my CT Scan from a few weeks ago showed that at some point, I had had a stroke. Did you know that you can have a stroke without even knowing it? You didn’t? Well neither did I, but apparently, you can. The doctor can’t be sure when it happened exactly, but it could have been anywhere from a few months to a few years ago.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE….  The part of my brain that was damaged is called the Prefrontal Lobe. For those not into all this medical mumbo jumbo (like me), that is the area of the brain that controls your emotions, reasoning and even your social skills. Now I can’t say that this stroke was the catalyst for my Thyroid going out of whack, but the issues that have been brought on by my Thyroid have created “The Perfect Storm” in my brain. Basically, as my doctor explained, as much as I want and try to be happy and positive, I’m fighting something that is natural within me not to be. Kind of like a Gay person trying to be straight. Bottom line, I have little to no control over my “negativity,” no matter how hard I try.

It really got me thinking. In recent months, people have said I’m anti-social, standoffish, negative, have had “good friends” lie and turn their backs on me, and even had a boyfriend break up with me… all for something not actually in my control, and based off of something they know nothing about. Interestingly enough, when these same people needed me, I was always there to listen, lean on and be a support. I never once said “this is too negative or too much” or even “I can’t handle this. I need a break.” I never placed judgments on them for what they were going through, or even thought less of them or run away. There was always love and compassion on my part, because that’s what you do for people you care about. Yet… I’M the one with brain damage that effects how I treat people and my feelings?

I guess the point I’m trying to make is very simple: Life is short, and you never know when it’s gonna end. Show love before it’s too late. Show compassion, because you don’t know what another person is going through on the inside. Reach out to someone and show them you care. You never know how that one action can make another’s day. I guess if more people had brain damage, the world would be a better place… just a thought.