BrianTinsley.com

December 17th, Snowing and cold

admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:33:06 +0000

It’s my brother’s birthday and I just got off the phone with him. It’s nice to have such a wonderful brother. I strung a racket today with my new I really like it! I even put up a website about my new stringer! I am hoping to actually play some tennis tonight, granted it’s snowing, but I am thinking I’ll take the Expedition out and I like driving in the snow!!! I got a call from one of my best friends and it was nice to hear from Paul. He’s been with Nordstrom for 23 years! The new job is going well and I really like my new friends I work with and the company. I am now on some new medication for my cholesterol and having to take an additional medication for my high blood pressure at night. I have to wait 2 months then get it re-checked. My son keeps bugging me about my chin and tummy and he thinks it’s funny.. but I don’t!

Happy Holidays!

Brian

Sunday… A great day!

admin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:54:07 +0000

It’s a beautiful sunny day here in Everett, WA! I am watching the Sea-hawks and the Redskins game and decided to write a bit. I have just finished publishing my 187 personal story on my website. You can read all the stories here. You can also join the Aortic Dissection Forum and read stories as well as chat with other survivors. That link is found here.

I can’t believe that Halloween is over and this week it’s Thanksgiving already! Wow.. time is flying. Speaking of Halloween! My daughter was a candy corn princess and my son was a gangster. They always have so much fun trick or treating!

We are having Thanksgiving at our house this year and I think there’s going to be 16 people! Everyone brings something and we do the Turkey and drinks!

My tennis game is still in the toilet. I got my Prince Graphite 107’s back and have been playing with them again, but just feel that my service return and serve are not that great! I am going to try the Mid size (93) and see how I like that. If not, I am eyeing either the Head Microgel Extreme Pro or Babolat Pure Storm Tour. My stringer should be there this week too! You can see it here!

Have a great rest of the day!

Brian

Miracle Lady survives an AorticDissection

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:00:41 +0000

I got this alert from my Google notifications about a women who experienced and AD while giving birth to her child. It’s a terrible outcome for the baby, but the mother survived and was able to keep going forward with her life. The story is here and it’s a great outcome for her. What’s interesting is that they show a Type B dissection in the story, when it appears to actually be a type A, requiring emergency surgery. I actually agree with the doctor that there’s few cases under the ages of 30, but… they are out there and I have documented them on my website as well. Those can be found here along with many other AD stories.

I feel so fortunate to be alive today thanks to Dr. James Brevig and the staff at Providence Everett General Hospital in Everett, WA. And, I am so thankful to the ER room for being able to catch it!

God Bless,

Brian Tinsley

My tennis game.. and stringing dilemma

admin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:36:55 +0000

Well, after playing with my Prince Oversize 107 rackets for 25 years, I have decided to switch.. Or did I? I ordered 3 new Head MicroGel Extreme Pro’s and had leather grips put on them, but never gave them a chance as I was having issues with overheads and forehands. So, after selling my Prince’s on ebay, I ordered 2 more Graphites, strung one, went to the wall, hit a few balls and realized that the HMP really were my new sticks. However, I had already sold them too! So, I had to ask the buyer to listen to my story and I gave him the funds back and have been watching my rackets travel to Arkansas and now are on the way back.

Next problem… I sold my stringer too! Then, I decided to get the new Top of the Line, LaserFibre Quantum. That’s what I ordered last week and was told it would ship out this Friday, 11/7/08. However, that got shipped out yesterday and left my bank account in a negative situation. I contacted the LaserFibre folks and asked them what happened? I also asked for a refund of the shipping charges as it’s the least that they can do for the screw up that they caused me!

Oh.. the game of tennis!

Brian

Back to work… Getting back into the swing of things!

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:16:08 +0000

Well, it’s back to work for me.. finally, after being laid off on 5/2/2008, I landed my first day on the job with Global Crossing on 10/20/2008. I really like the company so far and the people are great! It’s nice to be in a much smaller company than BIG BROTHER VERIZONBUSINESS. I am so happy to have a job at such a great place. The being out of the work realm was a bit tough to get back used to. I am still struggling a bit to try and stay focused. I am getting better and better each week. I also got my first paycheck and just in the nick of time!

I had my review of my Echo-Cardiogram that was done back in May/08 of this year. My doctor said that everything looked fine, still small leaking in the valves due to my “genetic” make up of a deformed bicuspid valve since birth. The nurse checked my BP and and it was 140/71. The my doctor checked it about 10 minutes later and it was 176/78. I told him that I was going to get my weight down from 212 to under 200lbs and that I would do it by Jan 1st, 2009. He said that I needed more BP meds and now I am going to be taking a pill at night. It sucks having high BP…it really does! I am on so many medications as it is, granted I take them about every 3 days on average, I need to get on the daily program - which I am going to do! I am also going to get my Excel weight charts and BP charts, put them on the bathroom walls and get focused about getting this BP thing down. We also discussed that I could go to 1 Echo per year and I told him about my CT/Angio’s and how Dr. Liang thought going to MRI’s would be less radiation for me. He seemed to agree. I also had a blood test for him to review and my hope is that my cholesterol is OK and I don’t have to go on meds for that!

Take care!
Brian

What a Family means to me…

admin — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:13:38 +0000

This is one of my favorite pictures with my kids. It’s probably two/three years old, but I just love the picture and the smiles on every one’s faces. We were on vacation and stayed at this place with a great outdoor pool. I just absolutely treasure these kids that the GOOD LORD has granted me. I am so deeply blessed to have such beautiful and wonderful kids. I just love them for all eternity!

This is another favorite of mine as well, this is at Lake Intiat in Eastern Washington, on the Columbia RIver. My brother/sister in law have a nice place in the Sun Cove development and we have a blast when we go over there in the summer time. My kids just love riding in their boat and going tubing and the parade. However, there’ a bit older now and the parade is still fun for them, but they’d rather just relax and kick back!

This is my brother’s family and it’s about 2 years ago on Christmas Eve and my parents house. I can not begin to tell you how thankful I am for my brother and his LOVING family. My brother was there for me, as well as my entire family when I was in the hospital. He was TRULY amazing and is a TRUE BLESSING from GOD! I can remember babysitting their oldest daughter, Kylie when she was just a baby!

Here’s me and the kids 2 years ago at Lake Intiat again enjoying ourselves and having a blast. My beautiful wife was taking the picture. It’s so pretty to watch all the stars at night here!

This is my brother and his wife at their new house, it’s a beautiful house and it has a tremendous view of the mountains and water! They are wonderful!

Have a great day…. Remember your family!

Brian

I got the job! Going back to work soon….

admin — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:50:32 +0000

Well, after being laid off since 5/2/2008, I received word today that my paper work is all done, my background checks are completed and now I am waiting for my official start date. I am excited to be finally getting back in the working world. And.. not a minute too soon! My severance is just about gone and my UE is about to run out.

My back is still hurting since last Thursday’s tennis match. Since then, I have had to go on Prednisone to help the swelling and started doing a bunch of new lower back stretches. I am also committed to making the racket switch to the Head Microgel Extreme Pro and put my Prince Graphites on ebay for someone else to enjoy. I can not look back and need to believe not only in myself, but my game and new conditioning efforts.

I am so thankful to JESUS CHRIST for allowing me this new job opportunity.

God Bless!

Brian

I got the job! Persistence is the “key”!

admin — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:21:18 +0000

Well, I got the call today and the offer letter is to be overnighted to me and arrive tomorrow. I am planned to start sometime around the 7th/8th of October for Global Crossing. I am so excited and just in the nick of time! I am out of my severance funds and my unemployment benefits are due to run out as well. God works in mysterious ways! I am so thankful that I am going back to work and for a great bunch of folks.

There’s a lot to be said about being persistence and taking those small steps (many) in trying to get where you want to go. In the same manner, I have been working via YouTube on my decentization process about my flying. I am really fealing confident about the strides I am making here. Thanks to Dr. Fear, I am on the right track to victory.

The kids are both in socceer and it’s so much fun to be able to watch them play. It’s one of my favorite times of the year as I just love to watch them…grow! I don’t know what hit me, but I decided I could switch tennis rackets after 25 years and that didn’t work out - what was I thinking? Anyway, I am glad to be back playing with my Prince OS Graphites and will be working on my fitness to help my game get better.

I received a call from a wife of an aortic dissectiion survivor today. It sounds like he had a very similar experience to my surgery. Apparently, he’s struggling and it was nice to speak with her and tell her that there is “hope” and that we can get her and her husband some expert help. This is what makes me happy is when I can give something back to others and help them.

Well, I am getting up at 4:50am to head to the club for 5:30am doubles tomorrow and playing singles tomorrow night at 8pm. Full day of tennis!

Best!

Brian

9/21/2008-Sunday

admin — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:05:46 +0000

It’s been a few weeks since my last post. I have been busy with kids school, soccer and playing tennis. Also, I have been praying for a job to finally come to fruition. I have been told that I have the job at Global Crossing and I am very excited abut the opportunity. However, it’s taking them some time to get me the actual offer letter. I am going to meet with them this Wednesday and this Monday, I am supposed to hear from another possible opportunity with ATT Wireless. I had originally applied with them, but did not get the position. I was called out of the blue a week ago about another position and interviewed with them. They are going to make their decision on Monday evening.

In the meantime, I am working on my flying issue. I discovered (what I believe is my cure) a book called “Freedom From Fear: Overcoming Anxiety, Phobias and Panic“
Howard Liebgold; Paperback; $11.21. I stumbled across the book trying to help my daughter with some issues about school. I have gotten to know Dr. Liebgold via email and he’s a super nice person. He struggled with phobia’s for 31 years! And, he’s a medical doctor! He’s specializing in helping others and I would HIGHLY recommend him! One of the most helpful things, is the desensitization process. The definition is: To make emotionally insensitive or unresponsive, as by long exposure or repeated shocks. Or in other words to constantly expose yourself to the things that give you the fear/phobia/anxiety because the ONLY way to deal with fear is THROUGH IT! The desensitization process is done on a hierarchical format. Meaning, you give your phobia/anxiety levels on a scale. I can honestly tell you that I have tried everything and this is the FIRST person who I believe really understands what is going on. He should, he’s been through it!

I hope to know this week about my job situation and hopefully will get the offer letter this month from Global Crossing so I can join them and get my life back on track with a great company.

Cheers!

Brian

Monday… A new fresh week… possibilities are endless!

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:47:48 +0000

I love this beautiful picture of a ladybug. She’s just relaxing there on her leaf and doesn’t have any cares or worries. It seems to parallel our lives sometimes. We’d do wonders to emulate the ladybugs characteristics of calmness in our everyday lives. With school having just started - a week under our belts, things are beggining to settle down. My offer letter from my new employer is scheduled to arrive this week and I can not wait to get back to working again. There is life after MCI/VerizonBusiness - a better life with endless opportunities and destinations! Like this ladybug, if she’s not content with where she happens to have landed, she can choose to move to a different leave and start again. We can do the same thing in our daily lives. As an aortic dissection survivor, once you have literally come back from the dead and now see the world through a new lens, it’s amazing the real beauty that you can find. Why did it take a near death experience to ignite the true pleasure that life has to offer each and every one of this. Do you think Jesus Christ put on this earth to live in misery? Do you think we were put on this earth to have a “free ride” ? I don’t believe so, each day is a mini life in itself and we need to break it down that way. Take each day one step, one breath, one praise at a time. After surviving an aortic dissection, you begin to really realize that you are given a certain number of days on this earth that GOD will allow you to live here. Each day is like a new flower spreading it’s leaves and growing a bit, and it eventually becomes a beautiful piece of art work. It’s being able to see the beauty in each day. Everyday that we have on this earth is a chance to make sure that we tell our loved ones… hey… I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! And to make sure that they know you are there for them unconditionally.

I know that I am personally so grateful to my LORD AND SAVIOR- JESUS CHRIST for everything that he’s given me. I most of all appreciate his dying on the cross and shedding his blood for me. He died for you and he died for me. It’s a free gift and it’s something that EVERYONE should be thankful for!

May JESUS CHRIST come into your heart and fill you with his love, peace and joy!

Brian