Usually, birthday flashbacks tend to be the kind you like to remember. As of this year, that is not the case for me. Lemme fill you in on this afternoon...

I had been trying to get a hold of my sister for the past day and a half. After speaking to my niece and nephew who provided cryptic messages, I became concerned about my sister's well-being. She wasn't returning my calls, didn't answer her phone at work nor responded to email.

Today while on my way to a client, I called sis' house. My niece answered the phone. When she learned who it was, she immediately asked, "Are you with mom?" "Uhm...no. Where is mom?" She immediately got a bit emotional and said, "She's at the hospital!" "WHAT? What d'ya mean? What's she doing there?" "Mom's had a stroke!"

FUCK FUCK! DUDE, MY SISTER IS YOUNGER THAN ME!!!

My niece had the hospital name confused, thought her mom was somewhere near my home. So, I frantically started calling local hospitals with no luck. Tried calling her husband, again with no luck. I'm starting to have flashbacks of a year ago when my mom had a heart attack. I'm 10 minutes away from the client and starting to freak out. Where the hell is she? Is she okay?

I finally get a hold of my sister. Turns out that she had two "mini" strokes. Slurred speech led her to the hospital where doctors confirmed her suspicions. Lack of taking blood pressure medicine (like she's supposed to), led to a blood clot in her neck, resulting in the strokes. She now has to have surgery in 30 days to remove it.

My family is trying to give me a heart attack. And I'm starting to think that I may have to officially change my birthday to a different date. Do you think I'd make a good July baby?

I am so ready to get fucked up. But who in the hell is gonna drive me home?

I'm done. Happy fuckin' birthday to me.

Christ Tania, the sister that I met?

You and your family and your sis are in our prayers.

-P

Wow. I'm sorry to hear this Tania. I hope everything works out.

That's awful Tania. I wish your sister well.

I'm so sorry to hear about that Tania. That's awful. Take it easy on yourself, mademoiselle.

Sheesh. You are more then welcome to share my b-day (8/16).

my thoughts are with you and your family!

Thinking of you, Tanny.

We Tauruses would gladly welcome you if it'd bring you some solace and peace.
Take care, sweetie.

Tell your sister to take her medicine.

All the best, T.

sending some positive vibes your way Tania.

Tania, I am horribly sorry to hear that this has happened to your sister and that it happened on your birthday too. Of all the people for this type of thing to happen to it happens to one of the nicest people alive. I'll be praying for you and your family and I hope that, although the term stroke never sounds good, that the operation is somewhat routine and not dangerous.

So sorry to hear about this.

Phil, yes, it was the sister you met (she's the only one I have).

Update: Sis is now home and on meds for the high BP and blood thinners to hopefully eradicate the clot. She obviously needs to take it easy.

Whew, whatta day!

As for me, I took a prescription of two huge ass cocktails. I feel much better now.

You guys are the bestest!!

Hope she stays on the meds, and all is well, T.

Update: My sis is going for an angiogram tomorrow. Appears that she does have a blockage in her carotid (that's the neck, right?) artery. So, the angiogram will determine how serious it is. After the procedure, they will schedule a date for surgery to remove it. How soon depends on its severity.

Tomorrow will be a year that my mom passed away.

Have I mentioned that I'm secretly scared?

Fuck.

Good luck!

Tania, I'll be sending you & your sis good vibes. It's natural to feel scared---especially when you have lost people before. But badness isn't always followed by badness. [insert long-distance hug smiley here]. Take care.

:hug:

Sorry I didn't read this right away...
Much love and many prayers to all of you and your family, T.

I'll keep you and your sis in my prayers, Tania.

Wow. I'm so sorry Tania.

Modern medicine is the shit. Here's to her speedy recovery.

Fuck husbands who are assholes and don't call family members.

Fuck hospitals who require a "privacy number" in order to reveal if your sister is ok or not.

How the hell am I supposed to obtain any information around here?!

She's out of the hospital and has been scheduled for surgery first thing Monday morning. Doc told her that the clog in her artery is considered "critical" which will need to be removed. She also has a small one in her brain which will not be removed. She's supposed to call me later with more info. Whew...doing well for now!

On other news...I learned that a good friend tried to commit suicide last week. First, by slicing up his wrists (bad enough that he's potentially destroyed one of the tendons in his left arm), then attempted to asphyxiate himself with a bag. When neither worked, he tried hanging himself. Thankfully, neither attempt worked. I'm hoping to see him this weekend and encourage him seeking help.

It seems that life just ain't right these days.

Gosh Tania. So sorry to hear all this.

Well, you're tripley in my thoughts now.