For as long as I’ve known him, my father has been a blunt individual. When I was little, I mostly felt terrified of him, so I couldn’t appreciate that I was dealing with least passive-aggressive human being on the planet. Now, as an adult, all day long I dealt with people- friends, coworkers, relatives- who never really said what they were thinking. The more time I spent with my dad in those first couple months back home, the more grateful I started to feel for the mixture of honesty and insanity that characterized his comments and personality.

I can understand that appreciation coming from a family like my own.

So, I have finally resumed my adventure with “the doctors.” I now have “the cardiologist”  who (so far) I am happy with. He is going to check if there is a hole in my heart which may have potentially lead to a mini-stroke and may cause my awful migraines. I like his style. I left the office informed and not terrified. That is a big deal, especially after what I felt last year.  

I also finally read the report from my scans last year. I have some sort of right cerebral atrophy related to a blood vessel. The word atrophy is “disturbing” (I think that is the best word to describe what I am feeling. Deterioration anywhere in my body, especially my brain is not good).   But it kind of, sort of, maybe makes some sense? Who knows? I jsut hope that someone can identify the issue and resolve it.

In the mean time, lent started today. The Easter season has significant  meaning to me that goes beyond attending church and following dietary restricitons. I am going to fast as long as the doctors allow but more importnantly, I vow to stay strong and positive.