Phyllis4732

:happydance: Yes, I'm dancing! Another fudge nut. What a buy!

I loved your blog. There is NOTHING like the beach. The ocean is THE place. Rivers, lakes and streams are better than nothing, but the ocean with it's boardwalks - wow!

You did have a wonderful day; I'm very happy for you and the guy who "needed" a new tee-shirt.

Sometimes just doing something on a whim without the planning is best.

Phyllis

"Sunday, I go for a honors seminar. I will be there until Tuesday so I will miss my laptop dearly. We will be going on field trips and to workshops so I know it will be fun."<BR><BR>This is the greatest because you will be more familiar with the campus when you go in September. <IMG style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" alt=happydance.gif src="http://www.strokeboard.net/style_emoticons/default/happydance.gif" border=0 emoid=":happydance:"> <BR>See. good things are happening; it just takes a little patience, planning and thought. It's great that you passed your test! Heck!, we all knew you could do it!<IMG style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" alt="" src="http://www.strokeboard.net/style_emoticons/default/laughbounce.gif" border=0 emoid=":laughbounce:"><BR><BR>Is a picture in the gallery now? I can't wait to see the formal cap and gown photo! And I said one has to have patience - duh! <IMG style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle" alt=imstupid.gif src="http://www.strokeboard.net/style_emoticons/default/imstupid.gif" border=0 emoid=":im stupid:"> <BR><BR>I', off to the gallery for a look-see. I never guess what people look like correctly. Probably won't this time either.<BR><BR>Phyllis

Don't know how this will come out but..........Think your move will be great; your plans to rent your nephew's home may not be forever but right now it is a solution.

When kiddo is in her new school and is "the new girl" she'll be happy. Although all the kids are "new" (freshmen), they have all been in that area and haven't lived in Arizona.

It will be a slight hassle getting things together, but it will work out. I'm happy for you.

Phyllis

Sorry for your loss. As long as you have memories your loved one will always be with you.

Katrina, just a few weeks more and you are off to college and your new life. Just cool it until then and you'll have it made. Hey, we don't hate you; and we are a very big strong group.

How about coming to chat Fri.? It's the wild time and the refreshments are great.

Phyllis

Katrina, nothing is forever; changes do come about. There are different opinions. You may find a Dr. who will see things differently. No, maybe not in 6 months but at some point. Just NEVER give up hope. To look at the positive side with hope is the answer,

Another thing. I am a Reiki practioner. It doesn't matter that I'm telling you this but it will explain why I am doing that. I heard at a session that the fact that we do Reiki is so that we can help ourselves, because no one else is going to help us. In other words, if you want something, you are going to have to do it yourself. If it means research on your part with the DMV, you are going to have to contact them and never mind what the Dr. says. He will not sign for you but in time, you may find someone who will.

It's that way with everything but in the ens you will get results or you will be satisfied that everything that needed to be done was done.

With new inventions etc. cars may come about that you will be able to drive. They have the knob to help people who drive one handed and hand controls. Have you looked into golf carts? I don't think you need a license for those but you can not drive all over in them. Would you be able to control one of those? Would one be permitted on campus? It may be able to get you to places - not all- but some.

Start doing your research.

Oh and about your hand. Would a weight bracelet help? They come in very attractive jersey and are filled with weights and you put them on like a bangle bracelet - kind of a funky fat bright bracelet. They kind of stretch to get them on and then fit securely. I have a pr. (they come in pairs) that are royal blue. I've seen pink and yellow. Ask an OT about them. It's wearing something helpful which isn't medical looking. You do have to know the weight that would hrlp you - and they do not have to be used always- just when your hand is "acting up" perhaps. I used mine when I wanted to learn to hold a plate and not drop it at a buffet. Needed my good hand to pile on the food. LOL!

And lastly, enjoy spending your graduation money. Hope you can get something that will give you joy. Perhaps a piece of jewelry that you will always have to remind you of the occasion.

Great blog, Fred. Think you missed a golden opportunity. Should have been a preacher.

Phyllid

Sounds like a popular saying: "You've got sand in your shoes." Once it gets in your blood, you're hooked.

I now live 2 blocks from the ocean and it has been a few years since I've been to the beach. I usually go when there is a space shoot since the view from there is special and so exciting. Once though, I just parked and took a walk onto the beach and into the edge of the water. Actually, the sand is very good to walk backfoot on. I was told to go on all surfaces; I think it retrains the brain or something. Duh.

Glad it worked at as a wonderful vacation. There's always next year. And yes, check for the "not so busy" times when you can save on rentals.

College is going to be what you make it. Looking back, would I have done some things differently? Perhaps, perhaps not.

For instance, if the school you are going to have football, don't sit home because you have no one to go with, Go and enjoy the game and cheer on your team, Someone has to be sitting inthe seat next to you and that person could become a special friemd.

Same with clubs and organizations. Take part. Do not have a oh woe is me attitude but join in with the others.

Really, the grass isn't always greener on the other side; we just think it is. You may find out that the club hopping, the dating excessively, the running around are not as we think. What good would it be to date some insensitive guy? Who wants to go to parties where everyone gets high and who knows what? Some nights, sitting with your computer may be the better choice.

Remember, it is your attitude that is going to make you feel happy. Ignore the "not so good". I think I need to send you the words to a french song, can't send the site as an attachment through here. Because I now write likechicken scratch, it will take time for me to copy the words down - but I will as soon as I get a chance.

Phyllis

Know the feelings; much like our tropical storms and hurricanes. You were gutsy to go out in that weather. (Wonder if people who use proper English use the term "gutsy"?) Duh! but that's what you were. LOL

Phyllis

I can imagine how hard it is to understand why some people have strokes, especially at an early age. There can be the spiritalist reasoning of "fate", the religious reason "god's will" (which to me in the same)

And to go on, people are survivors for these reason as well as a Kaballist belief that when one accepts the fact that life may be over they say "It's God's will" and gives their life to God, they are made survivors and even a reason my sister gave to me as to why my oldest friend had a daughter born with CP - that E. would be able to deal with it because she was so very devoutly religious and not one to ignore the child (and she and her husband , now deceased, haven't.) The child has grown into a working productive woman who must been about 50. Or even Sue's husband's Ray's neurologist feeling that there must be a gene responsible. (Sorry Sue for not explaining it well but you know my brain has damage.) And there is my belief, being a survivor is not free. We are made survivors because we are the ones chosen to help those who come after us. That is our payback.

Basically, it happens and we are not "permitted" to ask "why?" because then we get the response, "why not" as I believe Denny S said recently and is so true.

Lisas, you, your husband and Rachel are beyond the "why?" stage, thank goodness. Now, the time is right to get on to bigger and better.

So glad also you joioned our blog community.

Phyllis

You've got such a wonderful attitude!

Anyone who can even attempt to teach algebra and precalculus (I can't even spell it LOL) has got to be so proud to be able to return to this type of life.

While the students were wonderful, so was your school system. I'm sure there are many that would be afraid to hire a teacher who had had a stroke. A simple minded attitude would be that- "Oh it could happen again in the presence of the students". Of course the obvious fact is that it could happen to anyone.

Well, you are going to be getting a gift - the summer off to enjoy and recharge your batteries. Enjoy.

Phyllis

Even more difficult than closing a door is opening it. First you have to be able to put the key in the lock- perhaps with your good hand which may not be the hand that you used all your life. Then there are things like door steps and of course the things you can't hold with your teeth- grocery bags etc. An added care, the dog greeting you who is anxious to go out.

Yes, people with disabilities must find the best way for them to do what was always never before thought about. Does make life interesting but does give one pride when the way is found to accomplishment.

I, too, love your attitude.

Phyllis

[bYour birthday today? If so, have a happy.

To answer your question, since we really know when that day will be, I guess we should enjoy each as if it would be the last. I'm sure none of us knew the morning we (or our loved one) stroked, we weren't planning that. That is why our symbol is a lightning rod.

I must admit that some of your thoughts were interesting.

So my answer would be - nothing special. I just want to enjot each day to its fullest.[/color[/b]

Fred, I'm so glad I don't have to go to work tomorrow. The city of Ormond Beach has a wonderful Memorial Day rememberance. From the music when we arrive, patriotic songs of all the services to the opening flag ceremonies, invocation, speaker, fly-by with odd man out (which I find very touching to the ending prayer and everyone passing by the eternal touch at the city hall site and leaving the carnation we were given when we arrived. It is the largest in the area and worth going to.

The speaker is a former Green Beret who wrote a book on the twins- North and South Korea.

They are starting earlier this year because the heat was so unbearable and got to someone last year. They had the EMT's present just in case. So.........looks like we will start our day early, and then I must have a good American Hot dog.

Kristina, I was wondering where you had been. Aside from what the others had said, I have this............

In a few months, you have a new life starting. Take some time now and plan it. I hope you get a great room mate and someone who will understand. That is the start. Then there are going to be all the new people in classes. Yes, you are different, but maybe they know someone who also has problem and they will understand. My friend has a daughter who has CP and she met a group of other others with handicaps when she was in school. They have been doing things together for years. One girl has a sight problem, another something else. One person may excel at one thing and another at something else- someone may be able to see better and you have a brain in case someone doesn't use theirs as well.

Remember, just a few months away and it will be all yours. Just be a little more patient.

Phylllis

Kristi:

 

you are very good kid, your mom & you both r fortunate to have each other in their life

 

Asha

Ditto! (Boy, just how lazy can I get?)

Well Sue, a scientist (a neurologist) says it is "a pre-disposition to survival" and a spiritualist (me) calls it fate. Aren't the 2 things the same? The person who is very ill survives and the not so ill one passes. Or take it a step further as I have done in the past- one person gets a stroke in the brainstem, a not too good place or a person gets one a few cm. away in the cerebellum, a not too bad place. How else can these things be explained?

You are very fortunate to have such a great friend; some people have family that wouldn't do what your friend has......

Well, normally, I would be at chat tonight but because my computer are in different areas and since my "tushie" (think that word is acceptable) can't be in 2 places - although it is large- I am going to watch American Idol like so many others here and see what all the yelling is about.........and what my crazy broter voted 1200 times for......so - net time.

Phylllis

Do not feel you are neglecting Wes for not forcing the shower on him; nursing home (and a good one) only gavr showers teice a week; other times it was a sponge bath in the bathroom which was impossible to get a wheelchair in and out of without butmping into walls. It definitely was not designed by someone in a wheelchair. Acute rehab had showers daily. I understand they charge $1000.00 a day so they can afford the personnel.

As the others have said, your sweet husband is still here, just a little different. Have you been given any help on something that you could say etc. to remind him. Would video games and puzzkes etc. help any?

I'm sure it is difficult but by telling the children that they should tell you anything they want you to know.

You do sound like you are learning the routine and soon, you will be a pro like the rest of our caregivers.

Great job with the blog and :welcome:

Phyllis

Phyllis,

 

Can you ship by UPS, DHL OR FEDEX? Your 10 minutes would be an hour for me and I probably still couldn't eat it. :Starvin: Rachael Ray or Martha probably couldn't eat it either if I made it.

Fred, I guarantee YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS PIE! And you'd come pretty close to 10 minutes too.

Now Martha would make a whole production of it and dirty 15 bowls instead of 1, and Rachel Ray would have too much to put in her garbage bowl- can, carton and cool whip plastic bowl.

In fact, I'm going to go down stairs and have a sliver now. And as Rachel Ray says, "Yum-O"