Three funerals on three consecutive days and my cat with a really gross prolapsed rectum took me over the edge! People have always told me I seem so cool under pressure, but I guess my brain finally had enough!

 

In November 2018 I went home from my third funeral in as many days. On arriving home I noticed several bloody patches of cat poo and vomit on the carpet and bed and the cat was in hiding. I spent the next couple of hours making arrangements to drive almost 70 miles to an after-hours vet clinic since my own vet was not on call that weekend. I called a neighbor to go with me since it was already dark. Her husband came over to pry the cat from behind a bedroom dresser, with her hissing at him the entire time. He’s my hero since her hissy fits are things of legend!

 

We weren’t six blocks from home when I asked my friend where we were going and why, and I continued to ask the same question another 6-8 times. I don’t remember putting the clinic’s address into Google Maps, making a couple of phone calls, the entire 1.5 hour trip, arriving at the clinic, the vet and technicians, or anything that happened while there (with the exception of four short vignettes). Making out the $593 check was one of those! My friend and the vet both agreed there was something wrong with me and called paramedics who tested me and declared nothing was life-threatening. They advised me to see my GP as soon as possible. I don’t remember the return trip home either. Thankfully, my friend and witness to the entire 7-hour episode said my driving was perfect. She said she kept asking if I wanted her to drive and I kept saying “Nope, I’m fine!” I pray she doesn’t experience PTSD because of me!

 

My brain began working as usual after I arrived home, but I remained a little “fuzzy” for a couple of days after. Blood work and an MRI didn’t show any particular problem that any 73-year-old woman might have. My nurse practitioner who I’ve seen for more than 20 years guessed the problem might be a TGA episode but wanted a definitive diagnosis from a neurologist, who ultimately diagnosed the TGA. She said she’s had maybe 10 cases in the eight years she’s been practicing and usually only advises a baby aspirin a day, which I already take.

 

I’ve had no residual effects from the episode but worry slightly about a reoccurrence since I live by myself. I’m so glad to have found this TGA Project website and a couple of support groups on Facebook. I’m always in awe of the incredible workings of the human body, and the TGA reminds me how amazing our brains are to help protect us when we can’t or won’t protect ourselves.