Today, marks 47 years of my existence. As I reminiscence over the past 365 days, I see that I been through some major and minor difficulties. Indulge me for a minute: It all began on 10/9/2013 at 3:00 am... I begin to suffer what was determined later that day to be a stroke (my 2nd, the 1st one was 2007 or 2008) during my stay in the hospital, my heartbeat would drop significantly then sometimes stop. This phenomenon would also happen a few times while I was awake. I had also found out that I had a benign cyst on the brain. I underwent a pace-maker implantation surgical procedure on 2/12/2014 to help with keeping my beats...it went well and I was awake during the surgery; discharged the same day; and went to work the following Monday morning. I have a loud breathing machine so I can keep enough oxygen in my system. I have (probably) enough prescription medications to rival that of a pharmacy (LOL). A good friend had passed; another friend right after the beginning of 2014. Ive lost a 2nd brother in March, 2014 which was and still is shocking. I was told that one of my (other) insurance company is not going to honor my situation from the stroke; from a recent appointment, I was told that it is a great possibility that I will have to have a 2nd surgery to fix the pace-maker; and now I am waiting on another machine to provide more oxygen. Some of the normal day-to-day things that I took for granted, are (sometimes) quite painful for me to do today. Such as: walking, getting up from a seated position, putting on my shoes....things like that.....but I will not complain because there are others that are experiencing much more difficulties. Through all the adversities that I have experience, I am thankful and blessed to be able to see this day. Each birthday wish I have received from everyone of you, makes today even better. So, thank you all for taking the time to send me the birthday wishes, telephone calls, text messages and visits. I am grateful to have you as family and/or friend!!!!! Very Grateful!! --Derek
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 18:25:43 +0000