Wednesday Waffle Formal 10/22/2025
- Bernadette Henry
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
🔁 WEEKLY RECAP (October 22, 2025)
The Vibe
This week was about perspective. After a difficult previous week, I found myself settling back into a healthier headspace. Life didn't suddenly become easier—I just became more grounded in it. I was reminded that healing isn't only emotional; it's physical, mental, and spiritual. I'm learning that taking care of myself isn't a distraction from my goals—it's part of reaching them.
Top Wins
I reached one year since surviving my bilateral pulmonary embolism, and I'm feeling stronger than I did a year ago.
I made a proactive decision with my hematologist to switch to a medication that better fits my lifestyle instead of pretending I could keep up with something that wasn't working.
I acknowledged that my shoulder needs attention and started planning surgery around my graduation instead of continuing to ignore it.
I scheduled my colonoscopy and stayed committed to preventative healthcare.
I kept showing up for work, internship, and grad school, even during one of the busiest stretches of the semester.
I spent quality time with family when my cousin came to visit, reminding myself that relationships deserve space too.
I re-enrolled in therapy, choosing to invest in my mental health before I felt like I "needed" to.
Instead of letting changes in my appearance affect my confidence, I decided to adapt and keep moving forward.
Growth Edge
I need to stop treating my health like something I squeeze into my schedule.
This week reminded me that my body has been trying to get my attention for a while. Whether it's medication adherence, my shoulder, or preventative screenings, my health deserves the same level of planning that I give my career and school.
I have to remember that "busy" isn't a personality.
Every week can't be about surviving until the semester is over. I want to make sure I'm still living while I'm building the life I'm working so hard for.
Rest needs to become part of my strategy.
I'm already looking forward to December because I know I need a break. That tells me I shouldn't wait until I'm exhausted before giving myself permission to rest.
Areas I May Be Missing About Myself
I'm becoming someone who chooses prevention instead of reaction.
A year ago, my body forced me to slow down.
This year, I'm making appointments before things become emergencies. That's growth.
I'm more resilient than I give myself credit for.
Hair loss. Health scares. Grad school. Internship. Work. Family responsibilities.
None of those things stopped me from continuing to move toward the life I'm creating.
I'm learning to separate my worth from my appearance.
The conversation about my hair wasn't really about hair.
It was about choosing not to let something outside of my control define how I see myself.
That's confidence that's growing from the inside out.
Quote to Remember
"Healing isn't just surviving what almost took me. It's choosing to care for myself long after the crisis is over."
Content Sparks
❤️ One Year After My Pulmonary Embolism: What Recovery Really Looks Like
🩺 Why Preventative Healthcare Is Self-Care
💊 The Best Treatment Plan Is the One You'll Actually Follow
🎓 Balancing Grad School, Internship, Work, and Your Health
💇🏾♀️ When Hair Loss Tests Your Confidence
🧠 Why Going Back to Therapy Is a Sign of Strength, Not Weakness
⏸️ Rest Is Part of the Plan, Not a Reward
💪 The Difference Between Surviving and Truly Healing
Suggestions for Improvement
Schedule recovery days the same way I schedule deadlines.
Create a health dashboard with appointments, medications, and follow-up reminders.
Stop minimizing physical symptoms because I'm "used to pushing through."
Celebrate the small wins more often instead of only focusing on the next task.
Continue prioritizing therapy, even when life feels "fine." Consistency will take me further than crisis intervention.
Mantra for Next Week
"I don't have to sacrifice my health to accomplish my goals. I can heal and achieve at the same time."
🎤 J.U.M.P. Mic Drop
This week reminded me that progress isn't always loud.
Sometimes progress looks like taking my medication consistently. Sometimes it looks like scheduling the appointment I've been putting off. Sometimes it looks like going back to therapy. Sometimes it looks like looking in the mirror, seeing less hair than I want, and choosing to smile anyway.
A year ago, I was fighting to survive.
Today, I'm learning how to truly live.
That's the difference.
J.U.M.P. — Journey of the Underdog Making Progress. 💜
The Vibe
Better space than last week. Last week was rough — this week is steadier. Not thriving-loudly, but grounded, grateful, and pushing through. Tired as I don't know what, but I'm still standing, still moving, and honestly? That counts.
Top Wins
One year out from the bilateral pulmonary embolism — and I went to a BOXING class. A year ago I was in a hospital bed; last night I was throwing hands. That's not a small thing. I also handled my business: saw my hematologist, made a smart medication switch that actually fits my real life (twice a day wasn't happening, and I was honest about it), scheduled the colonoscopy, and I'm getting the shoulder looked at instead of ignoring it. And I re-enrolled in therapy — starting Monday. Plus I got real quality time with my cousins, bowling and buffet with the kids. Family filled my cup.
Growth Edge
I noticed a pattern in myself: I minimize warning signs. I missed the blood clot symptoms because I'm active and I explained everything away. The shoulder's been popping out "more frequently lately" before I decided to act. My edge right now is learning to take my own signals seriously — body signals AND emotional ones — before they become emergencies. Also: "I need to get my life together" and "I think I have a paper due tomorrow" in the same breath tells me my planning system needs some love during this heavy project season.
Quote to Remember"Sis, we just gonna make it work, right?" — Me, refusing to let hair loss take me out. That's resilience in one sentence.
Content Sparks
"One Year Later: What My Blood Clot Taught Me About Ignoring My Body" — the signs I missed and why active people dismiss symptoms
"Staying on Meds for My Sanity" — choosing peace of mind over technically-not-required, and the honesty of admitting twice-a-day dosing wasn't working
"45 & Family History: Why I'm Getting My Colonoscopy" — normalizing preventive care, especially in our community
"Grad School, Work, Internship, Life: The Tired Is Real" — a raw day-in-the-life for anyone grinding toward a degree later in life
"Hair Loss & Letting Go of Vanity" — the emotional side of hair, and choosing not to let it break me
"Going Back to Therapy (Again)" — there's no shame in re-enrolling; healing isn't linear
Mantra for Next Week
"I listen to my body, I honor my limits, and every sacrifice is building something worth it."
What I Might Be Missing About Myself
I keep saying "nothing major, same old, same old" — but in one entry I casually mentioned surviving a life-threatening event, boxing again, managing grad school + work + an internship, reconnecting with family, confronting hair loss with grace, AND going back to therapy. I downplay my own story. What feels "regular" to me is actually remarkable. The rough week I brushed past with "things are what they are"? I deserve to sit with that, not just push through it — and maybe that's exactly what Monday's therapy session is for.
🎤 J.U.M.P. Mic Drop 🎤Journey of the Underdog Making Progress: A year ago my lungs were fighting for me — now I'm fighting in boxing class. They counted me out; I re-enrolled. In therapy, in healing, in ME. Semester's almost done, December break is coming, graduation is on the horizon, and edges grow back — but this comeback? Permanent. Drops mic. Picks it back up, because I've got a paper due tomorrow. 💪✨