YOLO

7 years ago today, my sister and I took a trip to Phoenix to see my favorite band Tears For Fears. It was my sister’s first TFF concert and only my second.  Little did I know at the time what I was dealing with even though I had all the signs and symptoms. I had a gigantic blood clot in my calf that went up to my groin. I also had two blood clots in my lungs. (Bilateral Pulmonary embolisms) from the blood clot that broke off and traveled into both of my lungs. I had been experiencing terrible pain in my calf and shortness of breath, a lack of appetite, sweating, and exhaustion. Something just didn’t feel right, and it clearly wasn’t.

After being admitted to the hospital, I heard numerous times how lucky I was surviving flying from Minneapolis to Phoenix and back again. For anyone not knowing anything about blood clots or their symptoms, please take a moment to educate yourself. It could potentially save your life or the life of someone you care about. My clots were determined to be caused by hormones aka low dose birth control pills.  Anyone who is using hormones such as birth control pills or using hormone replacement therapy, please do your research. You could be at risk.  They don’t always tell you about the side effects.  It only took one month for me to develop my blood clots. One month!

I always get a bit emotional this time of year. I am always reminded that tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone. If you can do something you have been putting off, do it. Quit waiting for that someday because that someday may never come.  

I know I have a lot to be thankful for. I was able to work in Minnesota this past week and spend time with my family. I have friends coming from the UK to visit Nashville for the first time. I am looking forward to live music, Taylor’s movie, Depeche Mode, a long weekend trip to Sin City, Billy Idol, the Grand Canyon, and a visit from my parents all in the next month. But I still struggle with the unexpected loss of Seymour. Every. Single. Day.

I know I am one of the lucky ones and do not take that for granted. I often ask myself why do terrible things happen to good people? My only answer is everything happens for a reason and even though it doesn’t always make sense at the time it eventually will. Kind of cliché I know. I think we must sometimes go through terrible things to get the good things. I’ve been through my share of terrible things. It’s time for good things. I deserve good things.  It’s time.