Reverse Mohawk

October 30, 2018

4 months, 19 days

It is about an inch long, and a color somewhere between dark blonde and light brown with a hint of auburn. The first time I saw it I thought it looked like peach fuzz. I am sporting a peach fuzz colored reverse mohawk hair trend. I am not sure if that was the look I thought I would have. 

I had been told many times that when your hair grows back after surgery, it often is a different color, usually white (no pigment) or grey (the current direction of things). But I did not expect my hair to grow back in a totally different color, the color of peach fuzz. I don't have glasses or outfits to match this new hair color. In the past, when I would try on a new outfit or new pair of glasses and someone would say "that matches your hair", then you knew it was the right one.

Even though I have hair growing back, every time I see myself in the mirror, all I see is a scar. A large 6-inch scar down the back of my head that parts the inch-long peach fuzz. My hair is not growing over the scar, but rather parting like the Red Sea on both sides of it.

I am still not used to the sight. I hide the scar by putting a scarf on or by combing hair from the sides across the back to cover. I can also create an awesome comb-over look that hides the scar completely.

I have noticed a change about myself that is more than just the peach-colored hair, which can easily be modified. I have a desire to be something different. I often ask myself, what do I want to do for this world?

What do I want to be remembered for? For being a mother? Teacher? Humanitarian? Encourager?

You would think by the time you reach your mid-fifties, you would know what you want to be. But then, life throws you a curve ball and you are not so sure anymore that you know exactly what to do to hit it out of the park. Things become harder than expected.

My post-surgery take on life is simple. Everyone has heard the cliches. But you do not start to understand them until the curve ball passes.

· Live every day like there is no tomorrow.

· Hug your loved ones.

·Tell your children you love them every chance you get.

· Don’t take anything for granted.

· Be who you want to be, whatever that is

So for now, this southern girl will embrace the peach-fuzz colored reverse mohawk.

And will definitely live life, hug everyone, love all children even my own, take nothing for granted and just be me.

Cheers! Peacefully,

Linda

Surgery Update, June 28, 2018

Surgery Update, June 28, 2018

#1.Home from the hospital. Again. 
Chiggers.
Poison Ivy.
Root Canals.
Steroids.
All of the above falls into the same category for me. Painful experiences that we must endure as a part of this mortal world we live in. 

I now have a very healthy respect for steroids. They are a necessary evil part of the large concoction of medications that are given as a part of the recovery process from brain surgery. Something that must be endured, but something I was woefully unprepared for. 

What to entertain me after this posting? Please feel free to post a comment of your experience from either steroids or another painful recovery process. I could use the chuckle!

#2. Food Update:

Due to an unfortunate and potentially very dangerous allergic food reaction that I suffered the first week post-surgery, mainly to a peanuts and gluten, all food preparations have been limited to family members who are being coached in proper techniques to remove all allergens and all cross contamination to allergens. The home must stay a nut-free zone. Remember, hugs are always allergen-free!

I cannot thank enough all of those who have bought, brought, offered to bring and wish to bring food for the patient, however please refrain from using that form of recovery and comfort therapy for me. I don’t like being any sicker that I have to be at this time.

Interested in helping with a comfort-improvement option? Please see #7 below!

#3. Walks:

* Linda is walking multiple times, strengthening with each walk

* Sleep makes the brain heal, and is when the muscles and nerves connect back together; walking after a good nap makes those connections stronger after they happen. It is a process that cannot be forced or hurried. Always enjoy your view, no matter how near or far you go!

Here is a picture of my first walk to Cedar Creek with my good friend, Anne.

#4. Conversations:

* I can hold conversations for longer times, sometimes up to an hour if properly supported by few questions (this goes for texting or talking)

* Although improvements are made daily, I still struggle with multiple conversations or multiple questions at one time

* Laughter encouraged

* As I get stronger, I am able to start responding and replying to texts and emails. But please understand, a personal or individual response may not happen for a few days. It is a process, but as I read through them I respond to what I can when I can. With that said, PLEASE feel free to begin texting, messaging or emailing a personal message if you would like. I will respond as I can, but as I said, it may take a few days. Than you for your patience!
* I will still continue to regularly post updates and answer all questions regarding care on THIS blog to make sure that I inform everyone of the same information.  I do not want to neglect a single friend or prayer partner!    

#5. Caring for the patient:

* If you are coming over for a period of time, please follow the following guidelines to make things easier and safer for the patient:

SUPER IMPORTANT ==> I NOW suffer from a SEVERE peanut allergy. Unfortunately, we have had multiple chances to test this theory, and it is ringing true every time. It is crucial that NO nuts come into the home if possible - PLEASE PLEASE be careful what you touch when you eat nuts or touch peanut butter! Cross contamination from a person's hands DOES matter! 

1. Hand sanitizer – this removes all germs and any possibility of nut contamination coming into home

2. All shoes and purses stay at front door

3. Always, slow down and sit it down and ask how the patient is doing that day. I am brain-surgery/recovery patient. Fast movement and quick words make for a confusing, exhausting start to any visit.

Watching TV with my little "Lord of the Rings" Buddy. 

#6. Recovery: 
* As long as I am on a long concoction of medications for proper recovery, my activities will be limited. I also try to limit loud noises and strong smells, as they have become brain triggers. 

"You wanted to write down your medication schedule where?"

#7. MY Comfort-Improvement Help Option:
In lieu of flowers or food. 

* I have put a lot of thought into this. I started fostering after Harvey. 
* Then, due to my medical condition, I had to stop fostering. Below is a photo of my very first foster ever, Snowball. 
* Snowball was tiny, scared, did not do well with my cats but she wanted to be loved so badly we made it work for a few weeks until she quickly found her furever home. 
* In lieu of flowers or food, PLEASE consider donating towards my favorite foster group, Project Rescue Ready. Michelle, the owner, is active on FB, always has a handful of cats and dogs and I am always amazed at how she is able to continually work to assess and then find proper placements for all of the animals that pass through her home.
* All donations go towards food, medical assessments, etc. so that when I pick up a foster, all medications and food are paid for a ready to go.
* Facebook link:   projectrescueready

* To donate - ProjectRescueReady@outlook.com via PayPal 
Thank you for any and all considerations!! 

I cannot wait to see everyone soon – {big hugs} to all!

Peacefully yours, 

Linda

"Snowball, my first foster pup." 

Update June 26, 2018

Update June 26, 2018

I experienced a mild reaction to the steroids this weekend, admitted on Monday for observations, expect to be released in morning with an update.

Thank you to all - {big hugs} 

Linda

Surgery Update Week 1 - June 19, 2018

June 19, 2018
This email was originally written by my very good friend and Life Coach, Kimberly Roe. Kimberly is helping me manage all of the aspects of care post-surgery (and if you read my blog posting listed below, she assisted in the preparations as well). 

Please Kindly Note: I am not able to respond to emails, texts, online messages, or phone calls. I am not ignoring you, I love each and every message. But I am working hard to recover. It will be a long process that takes all of my energy 24/7. That means that all communications must be very limited from me, allowing me to keep all of my energy focused towards rest, healing and recovery. I am only currently responding to contact from my two wonderful kids, Holly and Thomas, and my daily caregivers. I will be posting updates to my blog that can be read by all. Please know, I am progressing well, but healing the brain is a very slow process not like any other. The brain ONLY heals during periods of complete rest assisted by proper meds and proper movement. I hope everyone around me can understand this process. 

Updates: Update notifications will only be sent via email. 
If there are any changes, then a posting will be made to my blog site and emails will be sent to everyone on the email list that Kimberly is keeping. If you wish to be kept updated, please send your EMAIL address to Kimberly Roe to receive the latest updates: 
oggiebogens@hotmail.com

Thank you Thank you! I appreciate each and every one of you, and cannot wait to give you a {big hug} when I see you!
Peacefully yours,
Linda
Linda's Blog


From Kimberly Roe:
Hello Everyone!

It has been exactly a week since Linda went in for her brain surgery and I wanted to get an update out since many are asking about her well being...

Her doctors feel the surgery was a huge success, with virtually no chance of the tumor coming back.  It was benign (yay!).  That being said, it did take them a bit longer than originally anticipated for them to remove it due to it's attachment (requiring 20 staples). 

They did keep her in OR Recovery/ICU until late Wednesday evening, when it was decided to move her to a regular room.  After weaning Linda off of intravenous meds first thing Thursday morning, she was observed to make sure she could take meds orally without incident or reaction. Because of her strong physical condition and the success of her moving to oral meds, this allowed her to be released home on Thursday, ahead of schedule.

Although Linda is doing quite well considering the procedure she just underwent, she is very much in recovery mode.  She does tire easily and does have trouble keeping up with multiple correspondence.  Full recovery is expected to take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks. The first few weeks we are helping her with post-surgery med management, movement, diet, cognitive & motor functions. 

Along with lights, sounds, smells...too much correspondence/conversation is hard for her to manage. For the next few weeks we would like to ask that people do not text or stop by (exception will be for immediate caregivers).  Updates will be sent out every few days and a link to a blog Linda will respond to has been attached to this email.

If anyone is able/wanting to help:  please text me (Kimberly) directly 832-723-5576

• Next week a few hours in the afternoon & a few hours in the evening someone to sit with her, make sure meds/food/movement/walks are being accomplished
• Picking up grocery items
• Over next few weeks may need transport to/from appointments
• Infection is still high while staples are in, so limiting contact until staples are removed at 2-3 weeks also limits exposure to infection

Cards and well wishes are also VERY much appreciated. She does see and read every email and well wish that is sent. 

Here is the link to Linda's blog, where she will be answering questions & adding more information regarding her progress via the blog instead of individually.  Please check frequently, and feel free to share the following link ... 

https://hopscotchshoebox.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-true-meaning-of-life-and-breath.html

The true meaning of life and breath hopscotchshoebox.blogspot.com How the journey began. I grew up with allergies. Many allergies, more than most people can fathom. Food. Environmental. Chemical. Even the...

Thank you everyone for your caring thoughts & generous assistance in helping to make this journey a bit easier for Linda!!!

Hugs to ALL!!!

-Kimberly (Kimberly Roe)

The true meaning of life and breath

How the journey began.

I grew up with allergies. Many allergies, more than most people can fathom. Food. Environmental. Chemical. Even the dreaded gluten allergy would befall my fate. But not headaches. Never headaches. Or wine, thank goodness. But then, the headaches began to worsen as the years went by.

The symptoms were always the same, without proper diagnosis or improvement. Headaches reached all across the right side of the head and neck, falling behind the right ear as if it were an earache. But there was never a sign of an earache found. 

During the summer of 2017, it became difficult to ignore. One fateful night just hours after the graduation ceremony, I became quite ill with an allergic reaction that turned into a massive migraine. In the days to follow, at the urging of my son, I began to take the situation more seriously.  

I received an MRI late in that summer. But then there was Harvey. And the appointment to get the results of the MRI did not seem so important anymore.  

The doctor's appointment for the results of the MRI was finally rescheduled for the day before Thanksgiving.

Yes, it was a brain tumor. And yes, it was in a bad location, next to blood vessels. It had to be removed, the only question was when. And that depended on the growth pattern.

I woke up Thanksgiving day thankful for every single breath. I hugged my children, and got through the weekend with family before thinking about the next step.

As I tried to figure out what the next step should be, I want to give many thanks to three special people who quickly came to my assistance -  Peggy Collins, Kimberly Roe and Patty Chesnick. Each one helped me take a step forward and assisted with the process of finding a second opinion and the right path of health for me, sought from one of the leading neurosurgeon's at Methodist Hospital, Dr. David Baskin. After another round of testing, it was agreed that the tumor was in a bad location next to the blood supply, needed to be removed but was slow growing and the surgery could wait until summer.

The plan became to manage the migraines until summer, and the situation remained relatively unchanged with a few minor but manageable affects surfacing until then. The surgery went as planned for the first week of June after school was out and all seniors for the 2018-2019 year had walked up the stairs and across the stage at NRG, graduating after a very difficult start to their year. All of our goals were accomplished.  

I cannot thank all of those enough who have supported me through all of this. There are so many in my life including but not limited to my kids, Holly and Thomas, my family, my cousins, the awesome Three Penny Press journalism students, fellow Bellaire High School teachers and administrators,  the SMBC Graceland Sunday School class, the Inner Loop SMBC group, the ministers at SMBC, the SMBC choir and summer choral program (that Thomas and I participated in summer 2017), all of the HLSR Wine Garden volunteers, to all of the HLSR Rodeo Uncorked Wine Garden #recordbreaking Team #3sheetstothewind volunteers, to all who supported all of the preparations and coordinations. There are currently so many who are taking care of my students this summer, the Team 3 Wine Garden volunteers, my home and all of the other details of my life, it is too many to say and quite overwhelming! 

Thank you for allowing me to embark upon this journey to make my body whole again. 
I love, appreciate and cannot wait to give a {big hug} to each and every one of you. 
Now, back to the 2018 World Cup! 
Prayerfully and peacefully yours, 
Linda