Lucky Me!

Okay, so I always knew I beat the odds by surviving the aneurysm in 2007, I just didn't know exactly how lucky I was until last week. After my final follow-up with the Neurosurgeon who installed and then took out the pump, I was given a follow-up appointment with the Neurosurgeon who performed the aneurysm clipping. When I went back for my follow-up, the doctor was really surprised to see me. When he walked into the room, his first words were, "Wow, I'm surprised to see you alive." When the #1 neurosurgeon in the world tells you that after he's the one who performed the surgery, you know you're lucky. :)
This was my first appointment with him since the aneurysm in 2007. Needless to say, he has some tests he wants to run. I have an angiogram scheduled in May. He wants to be able to see the vessels better than an MRI or a CT will show because the multiple clips up there obstruct the view. That was another interesting thing I found out. Apparently, I don't have just one clip, I have multiple clippings. I asked Ed if he knew that and he was as surprised as I was. I guess the doctor forgot to mention that to him after the surgery. Oh well. No big deal.

So Friday is the Rio Division Contest. I've got a great Contest Manager and she's doing an amazing job getting things ready. I have to stop and ask myself... Why didn't I have a contest manager for the other 3 contests I ran? It would have made my life so much easier. I've got two days to finish all the preparations for it, but I have nothing left to really prepare. I do need to make an index card with my notes on it for the contestant briefings, but other than that, everything is set. The timed agenda is done, I have confirmed with all the contestants and checked their eligibility, and Jerry Vaughn is working on creating the program. My Toastmaster, Kim Figor, is set with everything she needs. Most of the food has been purchased and Barbara is meeting me at University of Phoenix at 5 pm to help with set-up. It is going to be a terrific contest!

Ed is doing well with his job. He was called into the big-boss' office the other day and told how good a job he was doing. He was also told that his 3 direct bosses had nothing but great things to say about him. I'm proud of you Ed.

We'll be in this apartment for another month and a half, and then we'll be moving. My dad is going to let us rent his second house for significantly less than what we're paying here. It'll be really nice because Ephraim will have a back yard to play in. It's not the greatest neighborhood, but according to dad, it's improved significantly in the last few years. I'm still going to be investing in an alarm system though. In my opinion, it's better to err on the side of caution.

Wednesday, March 31st I completed my Advanced Communicator Gold requirements for Toastmasters, which in turn completed the requirements for the Distinguished Toastmaster award. This is the highest award given to members by Toastmasters International. I am so excited to finally be done. It was almost 5 years of hard work, but it was completely worth it and has paid off. I'm excited for Spring Conference on April 30th. I'll get to receive my medallion and attend the DTM reception. It's going to be great because Kenna will be here to present the medallion to me as my mentor.

Well, that's it for now. TTYL