The Room Where It Happens

Hamilton!

A few weeks ago, the husband and I hopped a train to NYC to see Hamilton. And do other stuff, but, mostly, see Hamilton.

I had purchased tickets for his birthday and we went in mid February--which, for us, is usually a weekend that we spend stuck indoors because the East Coast is usually slammed with a snowstorm. This time however, it was so warm in New York that I ditched my coat during the day!

We stayed at The Roger, which is basically a block away from The Empire State Building. I usually stay a little closer to Times Square, so, it wasn't super walkable to shopping and theater, but, it was really quiet and still walkable to midtown and the river.

On Saturday AM we trekked up with the UWS to go to Sarabeth's and explore the UWS. I prefer the Central Park South location, but, it was booked, so, Upper West Side, it was! I always love the UWS-the families, the shopping, the proximity to the park; it's always so fun.

Spent the day wandering the park and then before HAMILTON, we went to The Plaza for light snacks and drinks at The Palm Court.

And then, Hamilton. Y'all. It was so good. I wish someone had told me just how good it was, because, I would have seen it a long ass time ago. The tickets were worth just seeing King George and then Guns & Ships was 100% worth every penny. I'm currently plotting how I can go back and see it again.

I only need one kidney, right?

On Sunday we spent the day in Midtown; I took my honey to my favorite brunch place in midtown/Hell's Kitchen, we did Top Of The Rock (my favorite!), and explored 5th Avenue.

We enjoyed The Smith for dinner and then walked back to the hotel via Grand Central so my husband could see the impressive train station.

Monday was our last day and we explored the Natural History Museum, Madison Square Park and braved Penn Station to get home.

It was a magical trip and I'm so glad we were able to explore NYC together. I used to go to New York several times a year, but, I've never been with my husband, and although his family is from New York, he had never really explored Manhattan.

As much as I miss Texas, living a 3 hours train ride away from New York is not a bad gig!

Ah! Take me back!

Any fun trips coming up? Anyone else want to go halvsies with a kidney so we can all go see Hamilton?

Two Years

March 1st. I don't know how that happened! But, I love spring. And summer. I'm not a big winter person--although, to be honest, we didn't even have a winter here in Baltimore. We had maybe an inch of snow, it didn't stick, and very few days that required busting out my down coat.

I bought new snow boots in November, so, everyone in Maryland, you're welcome for the mild winter.

I digress.

Spring! Flowers! Sunshine! It's all so lovely. My now husband proposed to me in spring of 2015, and we married in late spring last year. Spring is just the best.

It signals new beginnings and changes.

For me, in March of 2015, everything changed. I had been sick for 5 months previously, with the last few leading me to be basically bedridden. I lost my jobs, gained oh so much weight, was barely able to stomach much food, slept very little, and was on and off various medications trying to figure out what was wrong.

Two of my lowest points include being so sick I didn't even puke in the toilet, and forcing myself to inject medication in my thigh at 1am.

I was sent home and dismissed by numerous doctors, including a weeklong stint at The Mayo Clinic which left me heartbroken, distraught and even more confused. At one point, a doctor looked me square in the eye and told me I was lying. So. That happened.

After returning home from Minnesota, the one boss I still had hooked me up with a client of hers who referred me to her physician. And God bless it all--she believed me. She didn't send me home. She didn't question. She didn't have answers, but, she was willing to fight for me. And fight for me she did.

Together we poured over months of doctor's notes, medications, and hospital visits. Together we formed a plan. Together we figured it out.

By March, I was undergoing tests for a heart condition--me! A heart condition? A marathon runner and barre instructor?

And a few weeks later, everything changed. I sat in my cardiologists office as his PA shared my results with me. My stupid heart doesn't work right. Marathons are out. Running is out. Keeping my heart rate low is in. Strength training is ok. Burpees are not.

Everything stopped. I had defined myself by running for the last, what, six years? It was all gone. I remember stumbling out of the office and going home to lay down and process everything. I was so grateful to finally have answers (my heart condition is caused by a genetic condition that I was born with--thanks mom--and had no idea about until my doctor started running tests), finally understand what was happening and why. But, my life was forever changed. Not only could I no longer run, but, I now had to address all the underlying symptoms. A rheumatologist, cardiologist, gastro specialist, neurologist. The list goes on.

Two years later, with a team of doctors, I'm lucky that I have mostly good days. Most days I don't have issues getting out of bed, most days I can function from sun up to sun down. Most days.

And on the bad days, I stay in bed, watch The West Wing and eat a lot of Cheetos.

All this to say, March is bittersweet for me. It's the month where everything changed. It's the month that I took control. It's the month where I got answers.

Yesterday was Rare Disease Day, and I fall under that category. I hope that anyone reading who battles unknown illnesses will keep fighting. Keep your chin up, keep pressing forward. You CAN do this.

Happy Spring. Don't ever give up on yourself!

xo