Vix

The festive weekend is over and it wasn't all that festive for us Weavers. We did have a fantastic Xmas day with the family but then on our way home, Greg and I had an argument which spoilt the whole day. Our Boxing Day was spent tip-toeing around each other until we made up and were friends again. One of Greg's niece's was just recovering from a bad stomach bug and Greg caught it, so on Friday night he was up all night in the bathroom. Poor soul, there is nothing worse than a runny tummy and nausea. So, the whole of Sat was spent nursing him, he was in bed the whole day - putting our Sat evening plans out the window. I am glad to say that he is up and about today and is on the road to recovery!!! THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN A SICK MAN!!!

Darling Sue. You have helped me understand how things might be for Greg on a much smaller scale of course, but I hope by understanding a little I can ease some of his burden. Thank you. I wish you a fantastic Festive Season. :cocktail: Big Hugs xxx

I am really battling with this heat. I am wondering if my internal thermostat has been completely destroyed by the stroke? I seem to feel the hot and cold weather a lot more than I used to. I feel quite faint from the heat at the moment and it has drained the little bit of energy had. The one good thing about the heat though is it forces me to drink lots of water.

When Greg first broached the subject of us moving cities to Richards Bay way back in June this year, the idea of me resigning sounded wonderful. I would be able to lie by the pool and catch up on my reading. Fantastic right? Not really. I am quite lonely at home all day by myself. Yes, I have joined the library and can read to my hearts content, and I am getting quite nice and brown from lying by the pool, but I miss interaction with people. Since I have been off work for 2 months already, I don't have that holiday feeling associated with this time of year. I will start to look for a job in the New Year, so I had better make the most of my off time cause I bet after a few months of working again, I will be complaining I don't get enough time to read or lie by the pool.

Darling Sue. I am sorry to hear of your Uncle's passing. Your "Me" time may not have worked out as you had hoped but a change is as good as a holiday, or so they say, so I hope the change in routine has helped a little. Sending Huge hugs your way. xxxxx

So, here's the thing...The associated reaction has moved from my left hand to my left toes. It used to be a clenched fist if I sneeze, was tense or cold, now my toes curl under. This is a problem that now affects my walking. I not only have to concentrate on relaxing my knee, now I also have to uncurl my toes. Good grief - remember when getting up to go to the loo was as natural as breathing? Now it's a major mental exercise!!!! I am now 3yrs 8 months down the line - I wonder what is next on the road to recovery?

Sue, I have enjoyed your update e-mails and your strength always amazes me. I don't think I would be a very good caregiver - I don't have the patience! I battle to cope if Greg gets a cold!!!! God Bless you, I hope you have a fantastic Christmas season. Hugs from a HOT S.A.!!!!!

I know I have been bad at keeping you all up to date, I'll be better from now on. I have resigned from my job as Greg has been promoted/transferred and we had to move cities. I am now living in Richards Bay - a city on the north coast of Natal. It is soo hot up here, luckily we have a pool and air-con. My recovery has come on in leaps and bounds, I have finally beaten my knee hyper-extension and have sort of started walking with a more normal gait. I still get incredibly tired and can't walk far or fast but Greg keeps my pace, so we get to where we want to go!! My left hand is still slow to respond but I can now open my hand and hold things. I am trying to use it more efficiently in the kitchen by chopping onions and peeling potatoes. Those tasks are not easy and take me forever, so I make sure I start supper preparations well ahead of time!!

My last gynae appointment showed no fetal heartbeat or fetal growth, so my pregnancy is to be terminated. Under doctors orders, tonight I must take medication that will induce a miscarriage and then we schedule a D&C. I am back at work today after 10 days leave, so the work routine is well under way already. I am really sad, Greg and I were so excited at the prospect of a little one, but we will try again and next time I won't shout the news from the roof-tops until we are sure everything is ok. Happy New Year to everyone. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The excitement of finding out I'm pregnant is now being overshadowed by ALL DAY nausea. Who named it "MORNING" sickness??!! I have read that the nausea should pass after 12 weeks, so here's hoping.... I have a gynae visit on 21 Dec, so hopefully that will be a bit more enlightening. Apart from feeling green all day, all seems to be going ok.

How scary for you. I am glad everything turned out ok in the end. Hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Kim My thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time. Lots of hugs Vicky

This news is even bigger than wearing sandles with a heel!!!! I found out on Friday that I am pregnant. Still VERY early days yet, but too exciting not to share. :Clap-Hands:

With our South African summer rapidly approaching, I took matters into my own hands and decided a change of shoes was a MUST. I have been wearing these boot type shoes - no heel in black & brown for 1 1/2 years now. SA summer is not the weather for boot type shoes. Before my stroke I was a big shoe person and have still got my favourites waiting for me. This morning I am dressed for work in brown pants, brown summer top and wait for it.... SANDLES!!!! Yip folks, sandles with a small wedge heel - and my ankle is holding up - touch wood!!!! :Clap-Hands: I have also progressed to jumping on a trampoline for 4 mins at PT :i_did_it!:

Hi Sue. Quiet weekends are always needed. Mine was completely opposite to yours as the WHOLE country made plans to watch the rugby world cup final. SA was chaos last week with avid supporters buying up all rugby jersey stock!!!! It was such fun on Sat - the cars were decorated with flags and everyone wearing green & gold. Needless to say - a bit too much alcohol was consumed during the game making yesterday a very quiet day for us too!!!!!

Hey sweetie, my internet time is monitored here at work, so I'm not on the site as often as I'd like to be. Way to go on all your achievements so far. Keep on smiling your beautiful smile, don't let life get you down. I know it sucks at times - it does for all of us at some time or other, but we keep on going. Hugs all the way from South Africa.

Glad to hear you had such an awesome time with the family. I agree, family time is very important - I treasure any time spent with my sister.

I admire you for taking the initive and doing all that on your own. Me, I need a kick up the butt from a personal trainer to get me to exercise! I go to a PT twice a week and we do mini circuits and a lot of weights. I also feel an improvement in my walking, I am concentrating REALLY hard not to hyper extend the L knee. I KNOW that exercise is the key to improvement, but I am essentially a lazy @@s, so hats off to you.

I thought I would drop in after a long absence. There have been quite a few changes here at work - I now have 2 bosses and our internet use is monitored so long periods on Strokenet are over for me. Anyway, I am still going to PT twice a week and a couple of visits ago I JUMPED up a small step as part of a miniture circuit - JUMPED! I was so excited!!!!! I am still battling with hyper-extending my knee when walking, but maybe that will sort itself out eventually. I am studying part time, I go to classes every Sat morning. I am now doing a Financial Accounting course and boy - its a lot harder than I expected, so these old brain cells are really working overtime!!! It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago and I got the best present - my Sister and her husband surprised me by coming to visit for the weekend. We had a really cool time and I can't wait to see her again over the Xmas period.

I'm also glad Ray is home. Alone time is great but we do miss our partners when they're not around. Don't forget to take Sue time - that is as important as taking care of Ray. <<<<HUGS>>>>

No-one can change any of our situations and yes, it does suck. I won the typing award at school with the highest typing speed and now I'm typing with one index finger, so that frustrates me. I don't have any words of wisdom and I haven't been fighting as long as you have but all of us can relate in one way or another. Giving up is not the way to go. Hang in there girlfriend - you are stronger than you think you are. I think talking to a professional might help you - it would be someone to rant and rave to. <<<<HUGS>>>>

Due to circumstances (not stroke related) both my Mom and Sister live too far away to be together on special dates. It does suck and I often get upset, but what can one do? My sister and I do try to get together some time during the year and we sure make that time together worth it!!!