This is weird…People are remembering me

When I became severely ill in 2009, I quietly exited the world. When I could no longer attend events, people forgot about me. Holidays and birthdays came and went, and no one sent me greetings. Special celebrations would be held for special occasions, and my invitation never came.

This year, there seems to have been a shift in the world. Suddenly, people are remembering when my birthday is. I received several birthday cards this year.

And then this December, I am receiving Christmas cards. Usually my mail during this time of year is slim. I get a card from one or two relatives. Occasionally someone remembers me and addresses a card to my parents as “Mr. & Mrs. & Family”.

But this year, I have received seasonal greetings from quite a few people. I actually have a “stack” of cards. This seems so foreign to me. I had to dig through my stationery box to find holiday greeting cards. As each card arrives in my mailbox, I then slowly begin the process of writing a thank you note for the person’s kindness.

(I say slowly, because the muscles in my hand fatigue quickly. Writing just a short message takes a tremendous toll on my hand and causes quite a bit of pain. I can only write out one card a day and then need to let my hand rest for a day or two.)

I feel so blessed and honored so many people have remembered me this year. Thank you for your kindness.

Closed Captioning: Another New Adventure

From time to time, YouTube sends me emails about ways to improve my channel. I really enjoy these notices because they contain valuable information. Recently, they sent me information on how to create closed captioning on my videos. I watched a video on how to change the closed captions which are on my current videos.

Through trial and error, I discovered how to insert the actual transcript of my videos and create closed captions. I then have to watch the video to make sure the captions sync with the video.

I wish I could say this is a quick and easy process, but it is not. The “auto-sync” feature works, but it often breaks the captions at the wrong place or changes the captions too quickly. I have to re-configure the captions. It can take 30-40 minutes to align the captions with my speaking. It is a tedious process, but I hope the end product will make my videos accessible to more people.

Six Years on a Ventilator

On December 5, 2016, I woke up and could not breathe. I went to my doctor's office. After being evaluated, I was sent to the hospital to be admitted. While at the hospital, a respiratory therapist fitted me with a mask and had me try non-invasive ventilation. I was scared and felt so alone.

The following day, a non-invasive ventilator was ordered for home use. Later in the day, on December 6, 2016, I was sent home with a ventilator. 

 I could never have imagined my life changed at the moment. I could never have imagined from that time forth, I would be attached to a ventilator wherever I went. My ability to breathe on my own was compromised. I was entering a new phase in my medical journey.

I will not lie. Six years ago seems like a lifetime ago. I have had more life or death situations than care to think about. I have had to learn about respiratory equipment and tracheostomy tubes. It has been a crash course and many trials and errors.

I hope, wish and pray one day I will wake up and never need a ventilator again. But in the meantime, I rejoice for the medical science and technology which helps me keep on keeping on.

May this next year be free from medical complications and hospitalizations. May this next year be my best year yet. Thank you for all your support. Happy Ventilator Sixth Anniversary!