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This post caught me by surprise Monday. I was made aware of it and decided to see what was going on.
To make a long story short, I was writing an article on the 30th anniversary of BREAKIN', which was on May 4th. I saw the film on May 5, 1984 and was going to be posted to coincide with it. Close to the end of finishing up the article (or coming close to it, my eyes started to blur a bit. I could think of writing, the comprehension was there but I could not physically type it. I even looked at my keyboard to see what was going wrong, or why my fingers couldn't touch it in order. I stopped and had taken a break for a few minutes. Went back, and my mind wasn't working. I was able to ask for help. I said I felt something was wrong and within the conversation, apparently I slurred my speech. I don't drink, so slurring is not something I would do on a regular basis, but it was noticed. That's when my sister told me that perhaps I may have had a stroke.
The diagnosis was that I had a T.I.A., or a "Transient Ischemic Attack". I had a mini-stroke. I was told that I was very lucky that I came to the hospital because if I didn't, it could have been worse. How does it happen? Being overweight, for the most part. The thing is, I have never hidden that I've been a big guy. Nor have I hidden the fact that while I have been stubborn in my struggle to lose weight, I am now very serious and managed to lose 30 pounds, if not more. My weight has been a major struggle since I was a kid, and was told "better get thinner than you're 10, because the double digits will be more difficult." However, being stubborn is not a good thing to be, and I know this as truth. Even when I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, I wasn't thinking completely for myself. It would take a car accident that lead to me making serious changes. I once climbed a waterfall in Oregon, completely exhausted, but I said "I don't want to look back at the person I was. Let's be healthy."
I generally keep my Facebook in semi-silent circles but I talk about losing weight there, very happy about ot. I walked 4 miles a way, which may not sound much but I was that guy who hated walking across the street just to check mail. Now I am considering doing a 5K walk/run. I have wanted a bicycle habit for years, and would like to soon.
My point is, even though I am trying my best to becoming healthy and healthier, shit happens. Something caught up with me, another rude awakening, which tells me more than anything to keep on becoming healthier. Stroke was something I'd find out with other people, never thought I would be the one with the mini-stroke.
Oddly enough, in my four days I was at the hospital, I lost 10 pounds. I've been a heavy man for most of my life, and now I'm 12 pounds away from reaching my first goal. Once it's reached, I will continue to do more, to lose another 50 pounsd. "Another 50 pounds", I hear you asking? I'm a big man, and I no longer want to be. Yes, a part of me will forever think as the big guy but I don't have to be the ignorant guy, either.
THE HOME OF BOOK-NESS:
http://www.thisisbooksmusic.com/
http://twitter.com/thisisjohnbook
http://www.facebook.com/book1
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The Lesson
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