#Meg's Long QT Journey: The First Seizure

When I was 14, I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome and this is my story. In a later post, I will elaborate on what my heart condition actually is.

Every story has a beginning. It all started on March 10, 1999. It was a Wednesday and I was in school. Not long before lunch, I was in the  language arts class and we were conjugating verbs. Everything was normal until my vision started to get blurry. No big deal as I thought maybe dust or something got on my glasses. It only got worse, though, and I started to worry. Do I say something to the teacher or the kid next to me? The answer would be no only because it felt like I couldn't talk. I probably did feel lightheaded or dizzy, but I can't really remember. The next thing I remember is coming to on a stretcher as the medics were carrying me to the ambulance - I came to on a flight of stairs and knew where I was and everything like that except for what happened. At worst, I thought I had passed out. As you have probably guessed, I was taken to the local children's hospital. The ride was quiet as I didn't know what had happened - my mom was in the back with me which brought me some comfort. Once at the hospital, I got admitted to the ER right away and an IV was started just as a precaution. What followed was several hours of laying there and eventually I went for a CT scan of my head and despite it being loud, I fell asleep. Soon after, I got discharged with no real answers. I was told I had an innocent heart murmur which was nothing to worry about (unrelated to the seizure) and to follow up with cardiology and neurology. I don't remember when I found out that I had a seizure, but I'm guessing it was some time when was I in the ER.
Over the next couple of weeks, I was evaluated by both a cardiologist and a neurologist. I underwent a battery of tests including the following: EKG, EEG, stress test, and an echo cardiogram. After all was said and done, we still didn't know what caused the seizure. It wasn't epilepsy or some other brain issue and no heart problems came up either. This kind of started a back and forth thing between both doctors as when nothing was found cardiology wise, we were told it had to be brain related, and vice-versa.

I was 11 at the time, but turned 12 amidst when I was getting the tests done. Since no explanation was given, my life slowly returned to normal. It was a little scary knowing I had had a seizure, but I ended up thinking that it was just something that would only happen once and that I never would have another seizure. And if I didn't have another one, it was okay that we didn't have an answer. Unfortunately, I would be wrong. But that's for my next post.

~Meg~

Tech Probs and New Series

I had a post scheduled for today, but unfortunately I encountered some technical difficulties. It will be posted at a later date in April.

Reminder: Tomorrow I am starting my long qt series, which is going to be called Meg's Long QT Journey. I have been working on a book about my experiences. I'm going to be sharing some parts. It's going to be sort of a rough draft and some parts of the series will be in no particular order. As of right now, I don't know how many parts there are going to be. I'm not trying to make long posts, although some might be. Please join me in my journey.

~Meg~

Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt: Kindle Edition

I came across a bookshelf scavenger hunt, but I decided to base it on what's on my Kindle app instead. Let me know if you want a bookshelf edition.

Find an author's name or title with the letter Z in it: I picked an author's name as well as a book title with the letter Z.

Find a classic:

Find a book with a key on it:

Find something on your bookshelf that's not a book: Not applicable

Find the oldest book on your shelf:

Find a book with a girl on the cover:

Find a book that has an animal in it:

Find a book with a male protagonist:

Find a book with only words on it:

Find a book with illustrations in it: Since this is on my kindle app, I don't know what books have illustrations in it until I read it, so I can't answer this.

Find a book with gold lettering:

Find a diary (true or fictional):

Find a book written by someone with a common name (like Smith):

Find a book that has a closeup of something on it:

Find a book on your shelf that takes place in the earliest time period: This takes place from 1625-1628.

Find a hardcover book without a jacket: Not applicable

Find a teal/turquoise colored book:

Find a book with stars on it:

Find a non-YA book:

There you go.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

A to Z of Books

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that to be a writer, you have to not only write a lot, but read a lot as well. I've loved reading and writing for as long as I remember. For fun, I've chosen to do an A to Z Bookish Survey Tag.

Author you’ve read the most books from: Ann M Martin, when I was a kid, I enjoyed The Baby-sitter's Club series and the Baby-Sitters Little Sister series.

Best Sequel Ever: 204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber; My favorite character in the whole series (Cedar Cove) is Olivia, but I had really wanted to read Grace's story.

Currently Reading: Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and A Sister's Promise by Karen Lenfestey

Drink of Choice While Reading: I don't have a particular drink while reading, but my favorite drink is water.

E-reader or Physical Book? Physical, although I prefer an e-reader for travelling/vacation or long bus rides.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School: Maybe Four from Divergent

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Hidden Gem Book: White Oleander by Janet Fitch

Important Moment in your Reading Life: Probably when I had to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for school. It wouldn't have been something that I would have chosen to read, but it started my love for Harry Potter.

Just Finished: Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read: I pretty much read anything, but I don't read a lot of graphic novels/manga or erotica.

Longest Book You’ve Read: Les Miserables

Major book hangover because of: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Number of Bookcases You Own: 3

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times: The Fault in Our Stars

Preferred Place To Read: anywhere; I love to read when I'm at the beach during the summer

Quote that inspires you: I have a lot, but I'm going to go with this one - "It's much better to do good in a way that no one knows anything about it." - Anna Karenina

Reading Regret: not reading Anne of Green Gables; I had gotten it as a gift, but couldn't get into it and I never went back.

Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series): Divergent (I have to read Insurgent and Allegiant, as well as Four) and The Hunger Games (I have to read Mockingjay).

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton; and The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Unapologetic Fangirl For: Harry Potter - even though Harry is my favorite character, my other fave character is Ginny Weasley because she reminds me of myself.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Other: Right now, it's If Not For You by Debbie Macomber.

Worst Bookish Habits: Not so much for reading, it would be not writing a review right after I finish reading a book. I do book reviews on my other blog, Writer's Crossings, but they take me awhile to write up as I want to convey my thoughts just right.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book: The Secret Life of Bees  by Sue Monk Kidd

Your latest book purchase: Like by Bart Hopkins

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late): So hard, but basically any book that I'm enjoying while I'm reading it at that moment.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

What's on Your Bucket List?

This is my second post in my getting to know me series. There will be five installments.

What's on My Bucket List?/Bucket List Ideas

1. Swim with dolphins
2. Hold/cuddle a koala bear
3. Visit Australia
4. Visit all 50 states in the US. (I've been to 13)
5. Say no without feeling guilty.
6. Climb a mountain.
7. Learn to play the guitar.
8. Visit the UK/Europe. (My top places are England, Ireland, Scotland, France, and Italy)
9. Learn to ski.
10. Get married.
11. Be a mom.
12. See a Broadway show.
13. Climb a lighthouse(s).
14. Write a book(s). (which I'm working on now)
15. Write a play.
16. Ride in a helicopter.
17. Horseback Riding.
18. Go on a cruise.
19. Learn to swim.
20. Learn to drive.
21. Go to a Celtic Thunder and Maroon 5 concert. (Insert favorite band or groups).
22. Zip lining.
23. Participate in a 5K. (preferably an inflatable obstacle one) [Note: Due to my heart condition, I wouldn't be able to run the whole time, but no one says you can't walk and just have fun]
24. Visit Mall of America.
25. Road trip across the US.
26. Hot air balloon ride.
27. Own my own home.
28. Be a spectator at the Olympics.
29. Go to a Notre Dame football game.
30. Go to the Ellen DeGeneres show. (Insert a taping of your favorite show) (sadly this might not happen as there have been rumors that this is her last season)

This is only a partial list of what I want to accomplish or hope to accomplish.

What are some of the things on your bucket list?

❤Meg❤

Getting to Know Me...

This is just a getting to know me tag for my first post in this series.

Are you named after anyone? No.

When was the last time you cried? A couple days ago.

Do you have kids? No.

If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself? Sure.

Do you use sarcasm a lot? Not me lol

What’s the first thing you notice about people? Eyes

What is your eye color? Brown

Scary movie or happy endings? Happy endings

Favorite smells? Cookies baking in the oven

What’s the furthest you’ve ever been from home? Wyoming

Do you have any special talents? Writing

Where were you born? Pennsylvania

What are your hobbies? Knitting/crocheting, acting, reading

Do you have any pets? No

Do you have any siblings? One older brother

What do you want to be when you grow up? Writer

Who was your first best friend? Salina or Natalia

How tall are you? 5'2"

Funniest moment throughout School? Idk

How many countries have you visited? One - Canada

What was your favorite/worst subject in High School? Fave - English; Worst - Math and Science

What is your Favorite drink? Animal? Perfume? Water; Dolphin and koala bear; don't wear perfume

What would you (or have you) name your children? Joshua David for a boy and Emily for a girl

What Sports do you play/Have you played? None. I'm not athletically talented.

Who are some of your favorite YouTubers? Don't really have a favorite

How many Girlfriends/Boyfriends have you had? This is personal

Favorite memory from childhood? Down the shore vacations

How would you describe your fashion sense? Average

What phone do you have? (iOS v Android?) Neither

Tell us one of your bad habits! Getting frustrated easily if I can't get something - I'm kind of a perfectionist

There you go. My next post in my Getting to Know Me series will be up in a couple days since I didn't post last week.

Revamping and What's Happening

When I started this blog last year, I had every intention of building it up and posting regularly. I had no idea that computer issues would come up. By the time everything got straightened out, some unexpected issues came up with my family and I had to deal with all of that. Most of it has cleared up, but we still have to get through, what I hope will be, one final hurdle.

I am working on revamping this blog with new posting ideas. Starting next week, I will be posting once a week. Until the beginning of March, I'm going to be posting a getting to know me series most likely on Thursdays.

Starting Friday March 10, I am pleased to announce that I'll be starting the Meg's Long QT Journey series. The idea is to finish the series by April, so I can participate in the 2017 April A to Z Challenge. That being said, I'll be posting more than once a week at that point.

❤Meg❤