The Oscars, Another Hospital Visit, and Miss Coriander

The Academy Awards are over and this year is the first time ever that I have seen every movie nominated for Best Picture. This year there were a ridiculous NINE nominations instead of the usual and sensible five. It would have been easier in the past for me to see five than nine, but this year I have a film-major-man-friend on my side named Tim.

Even a week-long trip to the hospital and over a month of unknowingly having Endocarditis couldn't stop us from seeing all these films (it did slow us down though).

Last Thursday night I ran into some doubt that would even be able to watch the Oscars because I landed back in the hospital! Lucky for me it was only an allergic reaction to the medications I've been injecting for three weeks through the PICC line in my arm... No biggie. The doctors gave me a new intravenous medication, a million medical tests and I was out of the hospital in a mere 19 hours. (yayyyy!)

Anyways, I quite enjoyed the Oscars this year. Of course Billy Crystal will probably remain my favorite Oscar host, but Seth MacFarlane had enough musical references to keep me completely satisfied (especially the Sound of Music Joke).

Argo deservedly won for best picture. It was racked with so many suspenseful-edge-of-your-seat-and-squeeze-the-heck-out-of-the-hand-of-whoever-is-sitting-next-to-you moments that I think Tim's hand got permanently crippled. (I'm an intense movie viewer. It can be dangerous to sit next to me during a film.)

Argo's basic plot is about a CIA agent (Ben Affleck) trying to help six American Diplomats escape from Iran by posing as a Canadian film crew. The plot is suppose to be ridiculous... It's part of what made the plan in the movie and in real life actually work. 

What is outstanding about this movie is how it was directed. There have been a lot of comments and outrage about Ben Affleck getting snubbed for the Oscars, and I agree. 

I know most people hate Ben Affleck for plenty of valid reasons (Pearl Harbor, Gigli). But I think it's time we gave him a chance and the respect that he deserves for directing a great film. No one could have directed the movie quite with the style and brilliance that he did. 

Don't believe me?

Then just imagine watching the same movie: directed by Woody Allen.

"The Iranians will totally buy that I'm a Canadian film producer."

I believe strongly the movie would have been just as brilliant, but probably more of a comedy than a suspenseful based-on-real-events-drama.

While I'm a huge Woody Allen fan, I know many of you aren't. So be nice to Ben Affleck.

In other news, I'm still alive... I'm just moving rather slow. So many friends, family and strangers have sent their well-wishes. I couldn't be more grateful for all of you. Thank you!!

Also, just a special little shout-out to Coriander Shea Detwiler: Last night the fairies brought me a present full of healing love and well-wishes from Miss Coriander who is not only an amazingly talented artist, but also is my Big Faery Sister. Anyways, Cori is super fantastic in every way and is one of the kindest souls I know. Please click her name to view her website, Like her Facebook and buy a ton of her extraordinary artwork!

Thanks and may the fairies stay far away from your coffee today! (it's one of those Thursdays that feels like a Monday)

Out of the Hospital and Taking it Easy: Heart Awareness Month

Day 5 in the Hospital with flowers from my family

Some of you may have seen my facebook recently which declared taking a break due to medical reasons. I would love to write a detailed blog entry about what that specifically means, but my energy is extraordinarily low. I lost a lot of weight while in the hospital and am extremely weak. (possibly coz hospital food is wretched) I'll have to summarize now and write more later.

Basically, I just got out of a week long hospital stay on Thursday, the 31st of January. I wrote in an earlier blog that I had the flu-- well, apparently it WAS NOT THE FLU!

My doctors (I had at least 6 of them including Cardiology and Infectious Disease doctors) finally tracked that I had Endocarditis, which in short, is an infection in the lining and valves of my heart. While this is generally bad news for most people, it's even worse news for me due to my heart conditions which have led me to a few open-heart surgeries... LUCKILY, I did not have to have another open-heart surgery this time around! The doctors administered around the clock antibiotics and by Tuesday I was finally showing signs of improving.

I was sent home with a PICC line, which is basically like a hardcore IV. The PICC is inserted in my left arm and there is a plastic wire that snakes up my arm, through my shoulder, and into my heart. Because of the PICC, I personally inject antibiotics intravenously four times a day for 2.5 hours at a time. Don't worry, I only have to do this for 6 whole weeks...

My planner right now is filled with injection times, pill times, and doctor visits. My job is now my health.

On the plus side, this couldn't have come at a better time, as February is Heart Health Awareness Month!!! (trying to find a silver lining somehow!) Usually I sell products on my website and donate a dollar from every product to the American Heart Association. This year, I do not have energy to fill orders. But please spread the word and try to focus on good Heart Health-- it is SO important for everyone. If you would like to donate to the American Heart Association, they are the reason why I get to be alive today. They are an amazing organization and the donations help fund research! Their website is www.heart.org Their site has a multitude of information on Healthy Living and if you are inspired to donate, the button is in the upper right corner.

I hope at some point to write a more detailed blog about my hospital stay and experiences. For now, I thought I'd give a general update to my family, friends, fans and caring people. So many of you sent me so many sweet texts, phone calls, comments on facebook, positive messages, hospital visits and prayers. I am so happy to know I have so many True-Blue friends and the best family I could ask for! I couldn't be more grateful to you all. Thank you for your kindness, support and prayers during this wild trip in my life.

Go forth and be Heart-Healthy!