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2009 - A Year In Reflection...
Hello all my AW friends! As the year starts winding down to a close, I always get a little reflective of the year's passings. For me, I think 2009 can be summed up in the phrase "It's been a BUGGER of a year". There's no doubt in my mind that I'll be happy to see the end of '09!
Many of my close friends on AW know that in '09, not only did Alopecia Areata rear it's ugly head in July, but I also found out this year that my Blood Pressure is high. If that wasn't bad enough, the stress of one condition makes the other condition worse. These two things combined robbed me of who I was. I remember waking up, going to work, eating, etc., but the rest was a blurr. For the first 2-3 months of dealing with both messes, I didn't know WHO I was, but I sure as heck wasn't ME.
If not for the grace of God, I slowly became "me" again. A huge part of that was due to my wife, who reminded me of how to live and how to be "me" again without worrying too much about the AA or the BP. Additionally, I owe a LOT to this community of AW and the dear friends I've made here who have patiently and caringly listed to my whines and woes about both conditions. You all have been AWESOME!!!
I would be in the wrong if I did not acknowledge all the blessings that have come my way in '09 in spite of the AA. First and foremost, my wife and I celebrated our 10th year anniversary this year! Through this past decade, and particularly through this hard time, she's been my rock. I am a lucky man to have married my best friend.
Secondly, my family and my in-laws have been SO helpful in a non-intrusive way for me in all this. They've been there every time I've needed them, but gave me all the latitude I still needed. They've been wonderful.
Next, over 4 long and trying months, I've been able to get my BP in check without having to get on medication. Through the evolution of walking, to wogging (walk, jog, walk, jog), and now jogging, I've lost 36 pounds and have improved my cardiovascular health enough that my BP is now in healthy ranges. As a matter of fact, just yesterday, the Doc gave me a clean bill of health and "hypertension" is no longer on my file!
Perhaps most relevant to this forum, a few months ago, my spots started to experience regrowth. As far as I can tell, it's still coming in, even though I'm still shedding. I still think I have a ways to go to recover from this entirely, but I'm cautiously happy and relieved that I'm seeing hair come back in. Touch wood right? Who knows what will happen with this goofy condition?
Lastly, I am entirely in-debted to Cheryl, RJ, AW, and all the great friends I've made here. I honestly don't know what I would have done without you all. I type this with heartfelt thanks and gratitude, in sincere appreciation of the advice, encouragement, the sympathetic ears, and the patience you have all shown me. I am eternally grateful.
I apologize that this Blog has become quite lengthy, but it looks like I had more to be appreciative of in 2009 than I had thought. I guess this can be a reminder for us all that even though we may be going through really tough times, there are glimmers of hope and brilliance mixed in there if we can only see and embrace them.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas accompanied by the hopes and promises of this blessed season. In 2010, may glorious manes of hair be yours (and maybe a little for me too)!!!!!!
Happy Holidays!
Many of my close friends on AW know that in '09, not only did Alopecia Areata rear it's ugly head in July, but I also found out this year that my Blood Pressure is high. If that wasn't bad enough, the stress of one condition makes the other condition worse. These two things combined robbed me of who I was. I remember waking up, going to work, eating, etc., but the rest was a blurr. For the first 2-3 months of dealing with both messes, I didn't know WHO I was, but I sure as heck wasn't ME.
If not for the grace of God, I slowly became "me" again. A huge part of that was due to my wife, who reminded me of how to live and how to be "me" again without worrying too much about the AA or the BP. Additionally, I owe a LOT to this community of AW and the dear friends I've made here who have patiently and caringly listed to my whines and woes about both conditions. You all have been AWESOME!!!
I would be in the wrong if I did not acknowledge all the blessings that have come my way in '09 in spite of the AA. First and foremost, my wife and I celebrated our 10th year anniversary this year! Through this past decade, and particularly through this hard time, she's been my rock. I am a lucky man to have married my best friend.
Secondly, my family and my in-laws have been SO helpful in a non-intrusive way for me in all this. They've been there every time I've needed them, but gave me all the latitude I still needed. They've been wonderful.
Next, over 4 long and trying months, I've been able to get my BP in check without having to get on medication. Through the evolution of walking, to wogging (walk, jog, walk, jog), and now jogging, I've lost 36 pounds and have improved my cardiovascular health enough that my BP is now in healthy ranges. As a matter of fact, just yesterday, the Doc gave me a clean bill of health and "hypertension" is no longer on my file!
Perhaps most relevant to this forum, a few months ago, my spots started to experience regrowth. As far as I can tell, it's still coming in, even though I'm still shedding. I still think I have a ways to go to recover from this entirely, but I'm cautiously happy and relieved that I'm seeing hair come back in. Touch wood right? Who knows what will happen with this goofy condition?
Lastly, I am entirely in-debted to Cheryl, RJ, AW, and all the great friends I've made here. I honestly don't know what I would have done without you all. I type this with heartfelt thanks and gratitude, in sincere appreciation of the advice, encouragement, the sympathetic ears, and the patience you have all shown me. I am eternally grateful.
I apologize that this Blog has become quite lengthy, but it looks like I had more to be appreciative of in 2009 than I had thought. I guess this can be a reminder for us all that even though we may be going through really tough times, there are glimmers of hope and brilliance mixed in there if we can only see and embrace them.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas accompanied by the hopes and promises of this blessed season. In 2010, may glorious manes of hair be yours (and maybe a little for me too)!!!!!!
Happy Holidays!
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Comment by christine armstrong on December 12, 2009 at 6:28pm
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aww....thanks john..all the very best to you for the coming year...lets hope 2010 will be a good year for us all...you and your family take care..xx
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and a merry christmas and a happy new year..x
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Comment by John M. on December 12, 2009 at 11:13pm
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Thanks Christine! Indeed, fervent hopes that 2010 is a blockbuster year as far as hair goes! :-)
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Comment by Robert on December 14, 2009 at 7:11am
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Hey John
I couldn't have summed up this year better... it has been a BUGGER.
You have conquered the BP issue, and now that positive energy is going to beat the AA issue.
Roll on 2010...it'll be the FHOH year ;0)
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Comment by Callie on December 14, 2009 at 10:32am
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What a great blog, John. 2009 has been exactly that for me, a bugger for sure, so here's hoping 2010 is better for all! :o)
Hope you have a great holiday season as well, and ring in 2010 with happiness and hope. :o)
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Robert - thanks mate, knew you'd relate for sure! FHOH...rock on!!!!
Aimee - agreed, this site, and the friends I've made here have been a Godsend.
Callie - thanks so much! Same to you, and make sure you hang tough through this rough period ok? :-)
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Comment by JeffreySF on December 15, 2009 at 11:47pm
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Hi John,
Alopecia is so 2000 late!!! Bring on 2010!!!
I'm happy we are friends
Jeffrey
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Jeff - LOL!!! You got that right my friend! Definitely thankful for our friendship too...you've been great. Merry Christmas! :-)
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Comment by Donna DeHoog on December 25, 2009 at 5:52pm
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Hey John!!! First and foremost, Merry Christmas to you and Carol! I am so happy for the two of you that you got to spend this wonderful holiday season together. I as many others totally understand what you mean when you say you saw yourself slipping away with the excessive worries of health and AA. I couldnt be more proud of your determination and strength in finding your way back again. I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!!!! You are truly an inspiration to me and many others that are facing uncertain futures with AA and health issues! My life would not be the same without our friendship and our multiple phone calls with me blabbering on and on about my issues! I am so truly blessed to have met you and my other dear friends on AW this past year. I am looking forward to saying goodbye to 2009 and praying everyday that it is the Lord's will for my health issues to resolve. It has been one year tomorrow since I first got sick and truly hope that 2010 will be a ray of sunshine in my life. Thank you so much for being such a great friend and inspiration!
Love always,
Donna
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Awe, thanks much Donna! I'm back stateside now (good and sad of course). Well, that's one year down for you, and now, 2010 will be the year of "good things to come". Your friendship has been extra special for me as well, and I couldn't have made it through all this without your sympathetic ear and kind words of encouragement. Hope your Christmas was outstanding and you've had a awesome start to '10!!! :-)
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