firefly779

📍 Eastern Washington, United States

Member since March 2006

I'm sort of a "fair weather" Babbler - I like to play the biggest grids and the smallest grids, but not so much the ones in-between. If it's 250+, I'm in, or if it's under 100 I might go for it, but the ones in the 100-200 range, I might skip. I've long since given up the obsession to finish or pay much attention to where I'm at in the rankings. I just come in when the grid looks good, and I give it my best with the time I have. :)

I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 21 years now (but we've been together for 27)and we have three daughters, Zoe, Nora, and Carrie, ages 18, 16, and 13.

I was diagnosed on December 27, 2011 by MRI of a giant brain aneurysm (yes, that IS a technical term, not just an exaggeration). I am currently attempting to gain treatment for it, and have undergone (in addition to the original MRI) a CT scan, an angiogram, and am scheduled for another angiogram with balloon occlusion (to determine if the artery feeding this thing can be sacrificed, or if it would kill me to clamp it off). Insurance finally decided it was medically necessary to cover me outside of my network, so that was swift of them. Apparently, my aneurysm is so complicated that only certain docs can even consider looking at me! Hoping for a "cure" soon, and keeping my eyes on God in the meantime. Many thanks to my Babble friends who wished me well the day I was talking to stidmama about it. :)

Update: Had the balloon test angio, failed. Flying to Phoenix, AZ Feb 29 for the Pipeline procedure Mar 1. Have to leave my three girls behind for a week - gonna be tough. Hubby's never flown before, quite nervous. Waiting for insurance to approve this, but getting it no matter what. Life is suddenly much more precious these days...

UPDATE: I'm home from Phoenix, AZ. Was a 5 day hospital stay, and 3 more days besides, plus a travel day, so 9 total away from home, family, and my three adorable girls. Was hard, but the procedure was a success. Still in recovery, very slow and experiencing headaches while the swelling around the Pipeline and Coils subsides, but other than some bruising (due to blood thinners I'll be on for awhile) I'm mostly unscathed now. :)

Update 4/24/12: Still fighting the insurance, and applying for financial assistance in two places for the bills should insurance continue to deny me. Feeling tons better, but still fatigue and headaches get me when I'm not looking. ;) Happy to be alive and well, but frustrated with the appeals processes. Just taking it one day at a time, believing it'll all be well.
UPDATE: 05/31 Made my appointment for June 25th in Seattle, WA for my follow up angiogram. Not looking forward to it, because they aren't pleasant, but will be nice to know that everything is looking good inside my head. Waiting for an answer on my third and final appeal with the insurance - if it's denied again, we'll just have to live on beans and rice for awhile until we get the hospital paid off! LOL Naw, we'll make it - I have faith. It's just aggravating and not what I was imagining would happen is all.
UPDATE: 6/4/12 That third appeal came in today - they upheld the insurance's ruling, so I'm in debt for the first time in my life (besides a car or mortgage, stuff you PLAN to be in debt over). The good news is, I'm alive to pay it off!
UPDATE: 7/9/12 My post op angio results are mixed. Seattle doc and AZ doc are both thinking I have to stay on aspirin and Plavix for awhile longer, a small spot of aneurysm isn't healing up, and I need another angio in a few months. I may need another pipeline stent segment, but insurance won't cover it...

Update 8/3/12: Saw a lawyer this week...he is willing to give it a go and see if we can file a suit against the insurance. Good news, I think!

Update 10/9/12: Well, had my second follow up angiogram last Monday, and there is still a leak. The doc wants me to get another pipeline stent put in as soon as I can figure out insurance or other way of paying. No huge rush, as there was no change from July until now (no growth), but still something I need to have done sooner rather than later. Bummer.

Update 11/24/12: I am going for surgery #2 Dec. 17th. Insurance decided to cover it, because it'll be in-network in Seattle instead of down in AZ. Lawyer is taking his sweet time on my case, no news there.

Update 12/20/12: I'm home from surgery. Seems to have been a success! Feeling rather trashy still, but I have nothing better to do than rest since I'd prepared completely for the holidays before I left. Merry Christmas everyone!

Update 3/7/13: I think I'm over the surgery now, and have figured out my meds to feel as normal as possible. Feeling more in control of my thought processes. Finally signed the papers with my lawyer to file the lawsuit against my health insurance. Attorneys are sure slow! Lol.

Update 5/20/13 I have scheduled my next angiogram for a month from now - crossing fingers and praying all is well finally. Feeling pretty good lately, and enjoying the springtime a lot! Lawyer is trying to talk settlement with insurance; we shall see.

Update 6/24/13 Angiogram last week was a cakewalk, for once (one out of five ain't bad I guess), and the doc said it looks really good and took me off my meds! It's not 100% but he said its a success nonetheless. Let the summer fun commence!

Update 11/26/2013: Another angiogram scheduled for Dec. 30. Just a routine checkup - hopefully only once per year after this. Then maybe even once every other year or so. Feeling pretty good, headaches just a few a month now. Still waiting on the lawsuit - those things sure take forever, but if I win, it'll be worth the wait.

Update 2015: I guess 2014 was perfectly fine because I can't remember anything now to report about it LOL. My lawsuit was settled in my favor this year - hurrah! I got an MRI this time instead of an angiogram and it was looking good so no more testing for 3 whole years! Ecstatic! I'm feeling really good, still a few headaches and strange brain fog and whatnot, but tons better than in the beginning. Been just doing a lot of catching up on the life I missed during my recovery and while we were low on funds and trying to enjoy my kids and be more involved with them and school and such and just enjoying my blessed life I still have to live!

UPDATE: Jan 2017 - had an MRA to see how things look in there. All is well! No need for another test for FIVE years! Yippee! I still get headaches every so often, but that's just part of the deal at this point.

Black Bean & Butternut Squash “Burgers”

1 flax egg or 1 large egg
1c. black beans, mashed (1 can, drained/rinsed)
1c. roasted/mashed butternut squash
1/3c. diced onion
1/3c. diced celery Sauté these before adding to the bowl to mash!!
2 cloves minced garlic (1t. jarred minced)
1T olive oil, butter, etc. (use more later to fry patties)
Seasonings: generous amounts of any or all –granulated onion, basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, white pepper, sage, savory, cayenne, thyme, cumin, ground mustard, ground coriander, lemon pepper
1/2t. granulated garlic
1/2t. dried parsley
1/4t. salt of choice (sea salt, pink Himalayan, etc.)
1 ½ c. brown rice (basmati)
6T. brown rice flour
INSTRUCTIONS:
Sauté onions and celery, adding garlic at the end, using 1T olive oil. Season veggies.
Mash black beans, roasted butternut and flax egg/egg in a bowl. Add cooled seasoned veggies. Stir in cooled cooked brown rice and brown rice flour.
Scoop out large spoonful and shape into a patty, laying on parchment paper or waxed paper to separate in stacks. Store in fridge to set a little before cooking. Can keep refrigerated for a couple days to cook as needed. Freeze excess patties, uncooked.
To cook: fry in oil of choice, until browned on both sides
Eat plain or make into a “hamburger”. Eat with a lettuce “bun”. Get creative