Lila Johnson's Blog - Posts Tagged "health"

Two months ago, I was hit with some shocking news. After experiencing several bouts of vertigo, a severe case sent me to the hospital for which I spent the whole day.
The news that rocked me was delivered by the ER doctor after I completed a MRI. "I have some bad news," he began. "You have a brain tumor."
All I could do was stare at him. Then I cried. Since then I have been told that the tumor is benign but as with anything that creeps into the body that shouldn't be there, the possibility of it growing is always there.
Since the diagnosis, I've moved forward with my life. After all, I have other books that I've begun to write besides my ongoing series, The Fat Girls Club. There are trips to be taken this fall and book signings in the works. I have a grandson that I must witness taking his first date to prom, his graduation from high school and college, his first heartbreak as well as road trips we have to complete.
In other words, I still have a life to live and I plan on living it well.

The last few months, August until now, have come and gone so fast that I think they were part of a half marathon.
Children went back to school, high school graduates started their first year of college and I thought I was losing my mind when my 11 year-old grandson said he was starting sixth grade!
I returned to Maui, Hawaii in September. How wonderful it was to see my former co-workers and hangout and talk and-cry. I completed the research for my new book, The Fat Girls Club Hawaii Five-NO, due out March of 2020. I also had a chance to spend time with my best friend, Martha. I've known her since the eighth grade. I showed her Maui from a non-tourist side since I lived there for nine months, six years ago. She loved it.
Halloween has come and gone. I've raked the leaves in my dads yard and with the help of his next door neighbor, we helped the elderly couple across the street, rake and bag their leaves also. It felt good. It felt right.
Now, in a matter of a few days, Thanksgiving will be upon us. I won't have the opportunity to go home because I have to work, but it will not keep me from saying a few words of "Thanks" for the blessings I have received from those who have supported my writing and the great doctors that have cared for me during my jaw dropping diagnosis, a brain tumor. I have a pending surgery scheduled for something totally different in December, before Christmas. And still, I give thanks.
So, to all of you, the readers of my blog posts and book series, I want to say thank you for your support and I wish you and yours a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.

February is seen as the month in regards to love, balloons, valentines’ cards, candy, flowers and the pressure for couples to make a big deal out of the day. Now don’t get me wrong. As a writer of romantic comedies and women’s fiction, I’m all about the love but not the pressure behind it.
From what I’ve observed over the years, we’ve gone from being surprised by the sweet acts of our significant others to badgering them “not to forget” that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. To avoid disappointment, treat yourself on the special day.
I’ve already purchased my special small heart shaped tin of Dove chocolates. Because I’m scheduled to work the 14th, I have a funny headband with two puffy hearts that I plan to wear along with a wonderful balloon bouquet to take into my job to create some smiles not only with the staff but the patients as well. Afterwards I’ll grab a bite to eat, watch a tearjerker on Turner Classic Movies while I soak in a wonderfully scented fizz bomb bath.
One more thing. This is American Heart Month. Get up and do something special for that incredible muscle that keeps you alive. Let’s get physical and exercise; bike, run, walk or try a yoga class. Check your blood pressure, know your number and keep it in a healthy range according to your doctor.
Happy heart and Valentines Day to you all!

COVID-19 has been a part of our lives for several days, weeks and months. Cities are on lockdowns. There are long lines to purchase food and personal items. The search for toilet paper, hand sanitizer and nitrile gloves drive everyone into a panic when we find ourselves staring at empty shelves in grocery and warehouse stores. We’re told to stay six feet apart and stand behind the taped markings on the floor. Protective masks have become a part of our everyday dress as evidenced by people seen in public places, employees at jobs that are still open as well as healthcare professionals’ and on and on it goes.
But no matter what happens, we’re a tough bunch. Americans refuse to go down without a fight and fight we must and have been doing. Staying home has provided new challenges for parents whose children are no longer attending school. Schedules have been modified and new hats are worn, those of the teacher-parent. Office workers have created new spaces in their homes because for eight hours it’s still work as usual. But sadly, there are hundreds that are not working at all. Our favorite restaurants are closed and with it are unemployed hostesses, waitresses, waiters, cooks, chefs and other kitchen staff. We have to use the drive-up windows and curbside service for the foods we love while we try to help small businesses to keep going.
And yet, through all the stress, the frustrations, the disappointments and the unknown, we have witnessed kindness. Food kitchens and banks have fed those who have no idea where their next meal will come from. Children that depended on at least one decent meal at school now have a chance for something to eat. We’ve heard about the businesses that are taking out loans so that they can pay their employees at least one more paycheck. Seamstresses and the novices have revved up their sewing machines and learned how to make a simple face mask to protect so many when so little is available.
You wonderful, beautiful people have rallied around the nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists and EMT’s that are fighting this deadly disease on the front lines during this madness. You have clapped for us, held up signs to show you care while protesting the representatives on the level of city, state and government to give us what is needed; gloves, gowns, N95 masks or any mask what so ever and ventilators so that we can do our jobs.
So, with a grateful heart, this full-time writer who is also a full-time nurse would like to say to all of you, “Thank you for caring.”
Remember, that courage will carry you to the next day, remaining calm will keep your path in focus and remain confident because this too shall pass.

Working as a travel nurse has kept me on my toes. With numerous employees and patients that contracted the COVID-19 virus, I’m thankful for my health and the ability to continue working. Because of so many positive cases, all remaining staff members had mandatory testing for which my results were negative. All praises to God for that.

So, I’m celebrating my birthday month in two ways. The first, is by giving back. I did this six years ago in Maui, Hawaii at their local food bank and food kitchen and enjoyed it. For a second time, I have committed to using four hours of the days that have off to help out at the Ozarks Food Harvest. It’s a rewarding feeling to know that a person or family will not go to bed hungry because of your efforts.

Second, I’m treating myself to a wonderful birthday celebration. Although I celebrate the whole month, on the day, I have gathered a half dozen balloons to decorate my hotel room. I will dine at a restaurant that I’ve never tried before and will raise a glass to toast myself with one of my favorite Riesling’s. Dessert will consist of a slice of the original cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory as well as my free Bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.

I’m a kid at heart so I will be cashing in on those freebies that I’ve signed up for; free meals and shopping discounts that will round out my birthday month. So, readers, stay safe, remain joyful and know that I appreciate each and every one of you!

Although it’s February and everyone feels that it’s the month that love is in the air, here in Kansas and other parts of the country it’s three-degree temperatures and snow! Now that the celebrated day of all things related to love has come and gone, there’s one thing we must remember. Our hearts.

February is known as American Heart Month. This organ, the size of your fist, serves us well and remains true to us more so than any lover or spouse could ever dream of doing for us. For example, here are a few facts I learned while researching the Cleveland Clinic website.

The heart pumps two gallons of blood throughout our bodies per day.
The heart can continue to beat even after it’s disconnected from the body.
The blue whale has the largest heart. It weighs 1500 pounds!
People can suffer from a broken heart. It is the result of life situations that can trigger temporary heart failure.

So, take care of your heart, so it can take care of you