The Raging Bull

For many years, my Dad & Sister have watched bull riding & rodeos on television. Last year, they attented the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) that made a stop here in St. Louis. I recall going to a rodeo when I was very young. While traveling with my grandparents to a Gideons Convention in either Kansas City or Indianapolis (I forget!), that was one of the activities we took part of. I do not remember finding it of any interest back then. Since, I've been convinced of how boring such is. That was all changed after watching Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding program that aired last year on T.V. After much pleading, my Dad finally persuaded me to watch the show & well, I have to say...I rather enjoyed it! I knew then that I wanted to go to the PBR next time it came around. That time was Friday night. My parents, Haley & I went down to the Scottrade Center in downtown St. Louis for an exciting evening. As I watched, I wondered..."What makes someone want to jump on board a huge, terrifying beast?" I've still not come up with a legitimate answer. Sure, money is the obvious choice but I guess I'm just such a big chicken that no dollar amount would be high enough to get me within even 1,000 feet of the animal. Anyway, I really enjoyed myself. The PBR will leave town after tonight's competition & will be heading to the next city. Meanwhile, I will watch on T.V. again to see who the winner here in St. Louis will be.

A Year After...Another Stroke?

Friday night, February 8th, my dad, sister, a friend and I went to Washington, MO to watch the Washington Bluejays take on the St. Charles West Indians in basketball. Last year, on Friday, February 9, we went to watch the same two teams play one another. Fortunately for all off us, Friday night's trip was much better than the one almost exactly a year ago. For those unaware, moments after arriving at the game last year, my hand began to feel numb. I assumed it was just asleep. Soon after, I experienced vision problems while sitting in the stands at St. Charles West High School. On our ride home, my speech was very strange & unusual for me...all messed up. We thought nothing of it until the next night when I experienced more problems & around 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. on Sat. the 10th when things were worsening & within a short time, I was sitting in an ER room waiting to be seen. After hours at one hospital, I was taken via ambulance at 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11th to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in downtown St. Louis where I would undergo numerous tests, etc. to determine that I had, indeed, suffered a minor stroke. Obviously, if you've seen me since last year or talked to me, you know that I suffered no lasting side effects...Praise God for that! Last year was extremely rough & seemed at times, to just drag on & on. Now, a year later, I can't believe that it was just a year ago as it seems like it was just yesterday to me really. After attending the basketball game last year, we were never able to make it to another one since I spent my time in & out of the hospital with my stroke, heart surgery & TIA. The other night was the first time we'd made it to another basketball game. I had given thought to the date & the fact that we were one day shy of when all activity began last year. Until, lastnight before we left to go to the game. All of a sudden I realized, the game we were going to featured the exact same two teams that we saw when I had my first stroke symptoms. I asked my dad if he knew what the game was & he quickly stated the same thing. Finally, I'm able to laugh about the situation. I told he & my sister that if we arrived at the game lastnight & I started to feel strange that I would never go to another basketball game in my life as it might be the Lord's way of telling me to stay away from basketball. Though it would not be funny for me to have another stroke, it would have been slightly funny if something happened & I wound up back in the hospital having to tell my symptoms & I began to tell how I was sitting at a basketball game when....I said that the doctors would look at my records & say, "Uh...didn't you tell us that last time?" I said we'd have to laugh & just tell them that we knew it was ironic but it was really true. Thankfully, we don't have to worry about it as all was fine. St. Charles West beat Washington by 10 & I was not happy about that though. Anyway....a year later & I'm feeling fine. I will, however, ask for your prayers. Since my TIA in May, I've been on a blood thinner twice daily called Aggrenox as we learned that I am more prone to blood clotting (which would have caused the stroke & TIA). When visiting my primary doctor a couple of weeks ago, he began reviewing my hospital records & became concerned with why I was more prone to blood clotting as the records did not give any reason other than I have a gene mutation (whatever in the world does that mean?). He asked if I had seen a hemotologist while in the hospital & I had no earthly idea. According to the records he had for me, I had not. He referred me to one & encouraged me to get to one. While there may not be anything seriously wrong, he said he would like to know that he did everything possible to try to understand why I am more prone to clotting...if perhaps I have some sort of blood disorder that would cause such. I called my cardiologist on Thursday last week & they searched my records. I DID NOT see a hemotologist during any of my stays there at Barnes. I asked the nurse if she & my cardiologist thought it wise for me to do so & they bought have stated they felt it would be in my best interest to go to one for further testing. So, on my day off on Tuesday, I will be calling to set up an appointment to go for tests. If you will just remember me in your prayers with that. Thanks so very much!