Sandy's Written Creations
Writings by Sandra Harrison including published and unpublished works of poetry, essays, children's and adult fiction and non-fiction work..
I Should Be Dead
I lived the first half of my life in pretty good health. I walked, biked, hiked & swam. But, the the yo-yo dieting using the Scarsdale Diet took a toll. I lost 40 lbs each summer only to gain even more in the Fall when I returned to work (as teacher).
I took a stress test at 30 & got weighed in water. Minus the fat, I weighed 119 lbs. but that’s what most charts stated a 5’2″ woman should weigh. When I was 12, a doctor told me I was obese cause I was 10 lbs. overweight. He used those same charts that do not account for body type. After the stress test, I was told that I could weigh 155 and be fine but I was 180 at the time. But, I was not obese.
Photo by Andres Ayrton on Pexels.com
In 1990, the stress from my job caught up with me and I sought psychological help. At the time, I was unable to sleep averaging 4 hours and was suicidal. I saw a psychiatrist who told me I was obssesive compulsive and prescribed Prozac. For the first time, the repetitive thoughts were gone but I went off meds during the summer only to get stressed in the Fall. I then took Zoloft but it wasn’t as good.
In 1990’s, I had to stop being Chairman of Working conditions for White Plains Teacher’s Association and negotiating. They gave me Life membership. I eventually had to give up Westchester Trails Association where I served as Sec Treasurer. By then my Psychiatrist had left and I began seeing a different doctor.
Around 2000, I was in bad mental shape. I was also seeing Psychologist who said I had a manic episode. I was put on Depakote and anti-depressants like Wellbutrin, but gained a lot of weight (of about 60 lbs). I was about 300 in 2009 and wasn’t doing much hiking or even walking. I started walking when doctor told me I had too and increased from 15 min to 4 miles a day till my knees hurt too much. I retired in 2009 and went off Depakote about a 1/2 yr later. I did get down to 262 but my weight bounces down to 231 to 250ish depending on if I’m manic or depressed. I lose weight in manic state but though I get loss done, I sleep little.
Then in 2013, they took out my thyroid (cancer) and a yr later I was diabetic. I had other issues but after tests, there continues to be negative cancer results. Went on modified Keto diet, lowering my sugar levels and went off Metformin. I, though, got dizzy and developed post nasal drip in 2012. I have a thick endometrium though I’ve had 2 D&C’s. It was recommended I have another but I don’t want any more.
I had a vitrectomy in 2010 and then two cataract surgeries (2012; 2014). At this point, I don’t want more tests. I have small tumors in my head found from x-ray and then MRI.
Then came pandemic 2020 with COVID 19 killing thousands of Americans and many more world wide. With all my health issues, I should be a great host for virus. I’ve struggled to stay Covid-19 free but Hayfever, mania and post nasal drip is not helping.
I should be dead.
Sandy's Written Creations 
Sandra,
Hi! I Googled your name Sandra Harrison and found quite a few people who share your name. But I found your blog, and was intrigued. I love your writing. Being a wannabe writer myself, I couldn’t help being caught up in your story about the doll shop murder. Is there more???
Before I forget, I am a doll person. I googled (is that a verb?) Your name because I purchased a doll from Goodwill that has your name engraved on the back. Was it your doll, do you think?
I would love to chat more. We have a lot in common, apparently.
Sincerely,
Becky Coleman Kyzer
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I am sorry I never replied to you but the doll shop murder that I put on my website was just the start of a story. I wanted to see if there was an interest but haven’t had the energy to work on it and or finish it. As for the doll, I never donated a doll to Goodwill and still have my collection in miniature and regular doll size. I also would never engrave my name on a doll. What is with that? And, as to my name there are many with my name and even with my middle name. There is the famous actress of horror films. It took awhile for my blog to pop up on first page of a search.
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