turning 24, being sick, missing home, etc

let's ramble

Sunday blues over here. I am sipping a smoothie from Smoothie King and relaxing on my couch next to my dog. Oh wait, I don't think I told the blog. Luke and I got a puppy???!!! Banks, 16 weeks, golden retriever, cutest puppy, crazy puppy. We're over the moon in love with him. In hopes of being more consistent on here, every Sunday, there will be a "Sunday Round-up." That's the goal, so let's pray I do that. Today, we are catching up! What's going on? How am I doing? I am turning 24, sick, missing home, and having a puppy. All the things!

As probably everyone knows by now, Luke and I got brought home, Banks! We got him at 7 weeks, and now he is 16 weeks. He has been the light of our lives, keeps us on our toes, and wrapped us around his finger. I got the puppy blues. The first 3 weeks of having him, Luke was in the thick of flight school. He worked from 7 am to 7 pm, studied all night, slept well, and flew a plane. Being unemployed meant I had to take care of the banks for a long time. I loved it but had sleepless nights and tears because he drove me crazy. Now we are here, and my puppy blues are long gone. Keep enjoying all the puppy content on my Instagram!

I have been homesick. It sucks, it's the worst feeling. My parents are my biggest supporters, and I love them very much. Being unemployed has taken a toll on me, and it made me miss my parents more. Going home hasn't been an option because of my lack of income. Luckily, Megan and Jake got me a gift card for a flight home, so I'm hoping I can soon get home to my parents. My homesickness has increased over the past 3 weeks due to being sick. Leading into my next topic, I spent some time in the hospital 3 weeks ago. Waking up with severe migraines, nausea, and dizziness led me to the hospital after I tried everything. I went to several doctors to figure out what was going on. I got diagnosed with POTS, which, if you didn't know, is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. That's a handful!
I'm also getting glasses to help with my migraines. Every day as of 3 weeks ago, I am dizzy when standing up, I move slower, and I have constant migraines. It is exhausting physically, mentally, emotionally. With POTS, you have an irregular heartbeat sometimes. I woke up this morning, stood up, and my watch went off, buzzing like crazy. I looked down, and my heart rate was 177 BPM. That's freaking insane; I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack. I had to sit back down; I was shaking and so dizzy. I experience that almost every day. I have no notes on having this. I am tired, and I want my parents. It's taxing on me and affecting every part of my life. I spent over 12 hours in the ER alone; Luke was flying for 4 days, and my parents are about 800 miles away. It was depressing. Passing out during blood work and sitting there alone was terrible. POTS is a chronic illness; there are tips and advice to manage flare-ups. Yet, it's tough to make these changes overnight. Being sick instantly made me miss my parents so much more. If you live with or near your parents, give them a big hug because I would do anything to hug my parents.
I turned 24 exactly a week ago. The day before my birthday, Luke and I went to Rosemary Beach for the day, and let me tell you, it was a dream. God knew it was my birthday because I felt pretty good all day until nighttime, but ya know, a win is a win! That place was wonderful. The food and weather were terrific; it was a great day. My birthday consisted of an eye appointment, a lunch date, a nap, and a home-cooked meal. It was exactly what I wanted and had in mind. Birthdays always make me reflect. The classic, "What am I doing with my life?" This year was a little different; it was felt with excitement, yet I was scared. Three days before I got a diagnosis, I was sick, and I was tired. I am so excited for 24 and 23, consisting of change, love, and every day.

Banks had a vet appointment today, got a couple of shots, and is sleeping beside me. It's a rainy Sunday, a peaceful Sunday. I'm not feeling too well yet; I don't feel well most days. I'm going to take another cold shower and put an eye mask on. Also, I forgot Smoothie King existed, so everyone should treat yourself. I forgot how good it is.

Hydrate, journal, and go for a walk! See you next Sunday for a weekly round-up.