Goals for 2024!

My goals for 2024 include… 

1. Patience - I tend to lose patience with myself. For example, when I'm getting a glass to drink out of, I could get it with my right hand, but I opt not to because it is so much easier just to grab it with my left. But, I need to take the time to grab it with my right. If I learn to be patient, have patience with myself, and sometimes step back for a second - I will gain so much. 

2. Independence - When I think back to when I got right out of the hospital, I didn't know myself. I had severe aphasia, I would forget to eat and drink, I was in a wheelchair - honestly, I was lost. But now, I have gotten so so so much better. I can chat with people at the Sedona Heritage Museum where I volunteer, I go for hikes by myself, and I’m doing more and more things independently. 

3. Moose + Service Dog - This is one that I know is going to be hard, but so rewarding. I was so close to having Moose, my dog, service-trained when I had my explosion. I want to get him trained, professionally, to be a service dog. 

4. Write “How To Survive An AVM, Aneurysm, Stroke, etc.” - I’ve wanted to write this book since I had my stroke. I have this jumble of words written down, but I need to get it out to the world. There are so many people who have had a stroke, an AVM, or an aneurysm, and there aren't many books about it! 

2023 was a good year. It was a year that was about balance and learning to take my own steps. I went on my first flying trip, all alone, in February of 2023. I went to Key West, which was an absolutely fun time. 

I went to see my Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop who live in Big Pine Key. I traveled back to New Jersey with my family to say “Happy 80th Birthday” to my Pop-Pop. From there we went to Pensylvania, up to the Mountain House which is over 100 acres on a farm that my Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop own. It was a blast! 

Then, in September I went to The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation’s annual walk. It was unbelievable to see all of the other people who have AVMs or aneurysms. It made me feel alive, it made me feel immense gratitude. We explored San Francisco a bit more and then off to Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Utah. We spent two weeks getting to see the country - it was beautiful, all of it. 

Overall, it was a fantastic year. I traveled to 8 different states. I had an angiogram done to see if the AVM was gone and I still have a residual amount left so we're going to have to see what the plan is. Probably more Gamma Knife! 

Even though I didn't write my book or I didn't hike to the airport, I am so proud of myself for all that I did do!