Grab a coffee...something happened yesterday that I just have to share with you but before I do, I need to talk about something that happened to me three years ago...

My daughter and I went to a water park with some close friends on a beautiful, hot, sunny day.  I had taken some Tylenol (what my purse had to offer) for a splitting headache of which I planned to ignore.  My daughter made it easy - there's no better distraction that watching your child at play.  She's a thrill seeker, a bit like her mother, and was ready to take on the biggest slide she could find. 

We found two slides, side by side, that we could ride at the same time.  The race was on!  What was I thinking?  It was a given that she would win and that she did!  She was already out of the pool by the time I hit the water.  Her friends had called her name.  She was off and running.  As I swam across the pool, I could tell that my bathing suit would require an adjustment before I got out of the water.  I held onto the ladder with my left hand while I tried to fix things with my right hand.  For some reason my hand wouldn't cooperate. My hand was completely lifeless, without color, and my fingers were curled up in an awkward position.  Not good. 

I managed to get myself out of the water and make the necessary adjustments with my left hand.  One of my girlfriends was walking by so I showed her my hand.  She knew about my headache and offered to watch my daughter if I needed to lie down for a little while.  As we spoke, I noticed my lips felt kind of weird so I went to the ladies room to take a look in the mirror.  Sure enough, I only had half of a smile. 

Another friend of mine heard that I wasn't feeling right and quickly found me in the crowd.  She promptly escorted me to the First Aid station.  I was offered some aspirin and a bag of ice for my pounding head by the teenagers in charge - who, by the way, used their limited amount of medical knowledge in the most effective way and I couldn't be more grateful for their help.  I began to feel better within a few minutes - life had returned to my hand and face.  I was ready to get back in the pool but my girlfriend wasn't buying my tap dance.  So, reluctantly on my part, my girlfriend called for an ambulance.  She felt it was best to let a trained professional check me out.  Did I mention I was wearing my bikini that day? 

fyi - I have always been blessed with good health.  I eat healthy foods and exercise by choice.  To the point where I am sure that I annoy some of my friends.  Apparently, "let's go to the gym" doesn't sound as appealing to others as it does to me.

By the time the paramedics arrived, life had returned to my hand and my face felt/looked fine.  They took my vitals and said that everything looked good, with the exception of my left eye.  Say what?  I could see just fine.  I was fine.  My pupil was oval shaped. They informed me that they were going to take me to the hospital. in my bikini 

I wrapped myself in a towel and convinced the very handsome, much younger paramedics that I was quite capable of walking to the ambulance - no need to wheel me over on a gurney.  I sure didn't want my daughter to catch that act.  They also agreed not to turn the siren on until we were out of earshot of the water park.  My girlfriends dried the kids off and brought my daughter to the hospital.  She never even saw the ambulance.  I was surrounded by angels that day.

They took a ct scan of my head.  Everything looked great.  My left pupil was still irregular.  I was given some medicine for my headache and sent home with instructions on how to care for a migraine.  My girlfriends brought me home.  One of them stayed with me (my husband was out of town) while the other looked after my daughter. 

A few days later, I followed up with a visit to my GP who referred me to a neurologist who ordered an MRI, first of my head and then of my head and neck.  That is when it was discovered that my left carotid artery had dissected - completely shut - and a few other issues.  The doctor reached me on my cell phone and asked how I was feeling.   I felt great and was on my way to the park for a walk with our dog, Lady Jackson.  I received instructions to take the dog home, pack a bag and check myself into the nearest hospital.  For real.

After a 10 day stay and a battery of tests I was sent home with little hope.  Approximately six months later, I was finally diagnosed with FMD - Fibromuscular Dysplasia.  A rare disease for which there is no cure or treatment.  Most of my major arteries have a bead-like appearance, the telltale sign of FMD.   At least I now know why my hand went limp at the park that day and have an explanation for the headaches I seemed to get at the drop of a hat. 

The disease most likely ran it's course when I was in my 20's.  I am thankful that I didn't know it at the time because I probably wouldn't have gone sky diving, ridden a horse or enjoyed scuba diving in an underwater park.  Or gone white water rafting, for that matter.  Not that there would have been anything I could have done about it.  I'm just glad that I was able to enjoy those things without the constant concern I am forced to live with now.  I still enjoy doing fun things...for example, last summer I went parasailing with my daughter.  I just see life from a different angle - I was most certainly faced with my own mortality and have learned to appreciate everything and everyone on a much higher level. 

And yes, I do believe in the power of prayer.  My friends and pastor and his wife and I prayed together a lot during that time.  My friends took care of my daughter and my husband.  I was surrounded by God's love and felt the power of his healing.  Since that crazy day at the water park, my left carotid artery has repaired itself, allowing full blood flow.  Just one of the many miracles I've witnessed over the past three years.

If you're still with me, as always, there is a method to my madness so I appreciate your patience with my long winded story. 

Recently, I put a few items on Craig's list, just for fun.  I received a call about one of them.  I found myself chatting with this person and before I knew it, I felt as thought we were forming a friendship.  She wasn't able to drive so I offered to deliver the goods (Barbie horses & various other toys) to her house.  I felt as though I was on my way to meet a friend for coffee (or a workout :o) and not bothered at all by the distance between us. 

I found the house without any trouble (okay, fine.  I used the GPS - whatever) and found her waiting on her front doorstep.  We chatted while I unloaded the car.  Sometimes my curiosity overrides my manners.  I asked why she couldn't drive.  As soon as the words left my mouth, I apologized for my bad manners.  Clearly, none of my business.  She was very gracious and proceeded to tell me about an episode she had...three years ago...left her visually impaired....had a stroke... other complications...admitted into the hospital for over a week....among other ailments, she was diagnosed with FMD...

Wow.  What are the chances that I would EVER in my lifetime, meet someone with a similar story?!  Not that it's a reason to celebrate but I do feel good/glad/relieved/blessed to have met this person.  Everything happens for a reason, right?  Wow.  I most definitely made a new friend yesterday.

Thanks for letting me share this story with you.