The Head and The Heart Vol. 18

Beyoncé + Brain Scans

Continuing my flower theme + inviting my garden to grow.

Beyoncé
A few weeks ago, my husband’s college roommate asked him if we wanted to tag along to Beyoncé with him and his wife. Hans, thinking I wouldn’t be up for it, turned down the tickets. A few days later, Hans mentioned this offer to me. I gasped, screamed, and asked to message his friend ASAP to claim the tickets!

I researched some areas of respite in case the sound was too loud, immediately purchased earplugs, and found a sitter! We were going to Beyoncé!

I know everyone in my life was concerned and confused by this decision, but I kept holding onto the last words my neurosurgeon said as I left my last appointment:
LIVE YOUR LIFE! And the Rosie I know, leaning into living her best life, would never turn down Beyoncé tickets.

My review of the show that you absolutely didn’t ask for?
Beyoncés talent is unfathomable. The transcendence of genre, combining art forms, and seamlessly perfecting each approach she attempts is truly inspired.

Our Beyonce Crew!

After we ran into delays because we quite literally encountered a tornado (watch) in our (host) city, we enjoyed three hours of Beyoncé bliss!

Hans was, rightfully so, concerned about the tornado, making a plan for us to jump over the concession stand and take cover.

I was, rightfully so, concerned that Beyoncé might cancel because of the weather delay and was making a plan for how we could finagle staying in Chicago for a few extra days to catch her Saturday show.

As we listened to my favorite song to end the show, I was overwhelmed. And emotional. I started to cry and Hans immediately wondered what was wrong. I almost couldn’t say it out loud because I was so emotional and I started to cry every time I tried to speak.

But after a few attempts I was able to stutter out: I’m so grateful that I can still hear music.

Going to this show was a big milestone. I did a lot of things I hadn’t even considered doing even one month ago - I got on a plane, I went to a concert with many lights and sounds (made possible by ear plugs and sunglasses), I stayed up past 2am (because of a delayed start time of a show, due to a tornado warning), I danced for 3 hours, and I got to sing along to my favorite songs by my favorite artist.

And I could see it, I could hear it, I could feel the joy of other excited fans sharing space with me, and I could enjoy it. All of this seemed so out of reach six months ago,. My gratitude of it all continues.

My Beyonce fit! I created a custom outfit only to ditch it last minute when I learned it was supposed to be 89 degrees during showtime. This was the perfect substitute.

Brain Scans
Somehow it’s been six months since my brain aneurysm ruptured. It feels like it just happened and it feels like it happened much longer than six months ago. After the initial rupture, surgery, and two week hospital stay, my appointments felt less frequent. I still had them, but after being tied up to machines nonstop, every routine doctor visit felt like a walk in the park because I got to go home and sleep in my own bed vs. being monitored 24/7.

Last week, I had my six month check up and had my second cerebral angiogram. The first, I had the day I went in when my aneurysm ruptured, the second was last week. During my first angiogram they weren’t sure if there was potentially other aneurysm or if the scan clouded by blood that appeared to be another aneurysm. They communicated that they would know more once the swelling had gone down and the blood returned to it’s appropriate place, so they were aiming to have a better view of this all at the six month checkup. This has long been a part of my treatment plan so the procedure itself was not a surprise to assess how the current coil on my aneurysm looks and understand if there were any more aneurysms looming.

This was an all day procedure, I was pretty heavily sedated, and I vaguely remember telling every new doctor that entered the room that I had been at a Beyoncé concert one week prior.

The GREAT news is that the coil looks great, my existing aneurysms continues to be contained, and there are no new aneurysms.

I titled this photo: Angiogram Fit.

So what now?
My scans will continue every six months or so to make sure the aneurysms are at bay. I feel incredible confident in my capable team of women and men monitoring my brain, guiding scan schedules, and keeping a close eye my overall brain health.

If I reframe it, not many people can say they have a team of highly skilled, educated neurosurgeons keeping a close and constant watch on your brain. So I guess I’m lucky and I know I’m grateful.

Thank you all for your continued love and support.

XO,
R