Wow, it's been six months since my hole closure and I can't believe I just hadn't had a chance to update. I am praising God my heart responded very well to closure and is healing quite nicely with the patch in place. Thankfully, I have not experienced any further TIA or speech issues, however, surgery did not cure my migraines as so many people eluded to. I still suffer from the disease of migraine, in fact right after surgery they thought I was having another TIA when they began to realize after running several test I am having a new symptom with my migraines that involved the eyes. I tried to explain that as it was nothing like the experiences when the two Hypertensive crisis lead to TIA symptoms. They mistakenly thought my many visual disturbances right after surgery was a possible blood clot. That has seemed to pass, however, I will occasionally have some dizziness when having the head pain. All in all, I do not regret the decision I made to have the procedure done. It was never intended to cure my head issues, but rather guard my heart and brain against my BP issues. So I am thankful. I have also been making a lot of changes in my life choices, since wrapping up the Holidays. I love to cook and I love to entertain, but everything in moderation. I found myself slipping out of my preventative habits and my BP slowly creeping back towards crisis standards and so now I am back to my life savers...with my truest life saver, God, helping me of course. The last several week, I've been exercising 5 days a week, at least a half hour , day or night, whenever the chronic pain allows...sometimes even when it doesn't want to allow. I try to fight thru it, because I am the only me I have and this me wants to be here for my precious Jules.It seems small, but adjusting my eating is never that hard, yet it's never enough. Unfortunately, genetics are working against me and so I have to do all I can to stay well. Anyhoo, enough about me. I hope you are each well, and if you are not please know there is a Hope and a love that quenches all pain. God truly loves us. I may not know you, but I pray as you read this you may know you are not a lone. My life's not perfect, but it's blessed. Envisioning Heaven and my Life there often helps me Keep my head up when many people wonder why it's not down. I wrote this song & hope it encourages some of you: 'Heaven's Gate' by:Natasha Jules I sang at the Feet of the King He told me, "My child I love you!" I started to understand all of the things that I been thru. Like every time I laughed, His Spirit was teaching me Joy. And every time I cried I was empowered to Fight the ploy. ...Nothing the world could have offered could ever replace this day. I looked all around for Jesus, He's the reason I'm able to stay. I went to throw my arms around Him, I asked Him was that okay. He said, "Tasha don't be silly, I've been holding you Every day." Then I dropped to my Knees towards my Father again , I thanked Him for all that He gave. I told Him my heart felt such Love here, From all of His power displayed. I never EVER could have imagined, All of that would be worth all of THIS. I'm happy He helped me to Hold on and now I am in truest bliss.