dstraugh

Bill, I hope and pray you're cruisin soon. So, you're a Pirate fan huh? Cool - now that I'm once again living in Pittsburgh, I'd like to go to a game or two. Years back, me, my cousins and Aunt used to go alot - I've got a baseball autographed by many of the former Pirates.

RLT, Wish I had words of wisdom or advice to offer to you. As a survivor and as one who prestroke was not a full-time caregiver, I would not even remotely be able to offer any expertise or thoughts. What I can give you dear is (((hugs))) and letting you know that I heard and was deeply moved by your words. Bless you.

Dear Sue, You need another break dear lady and you just returned home. Wish we weren't so so far away whereas we could help you out. You and Ray have done volunteer work forever; isn't there some of the club members who could reciprocate a tiny bit and lend a hand? Although your actual volunteering has decreased, I would hang in there and do what you can as every little bit does help and makes a difference. (((hugs)))

Anne, Glad to hear Dave is doing better after the surgery and pray he continues to do so. Hopefully too, with sunny days, his attitude and disposition will also be sunny. I'm glad the doc "demanded" Dave to get insulin - as we all know, diabetes is nothing to mess with.

The torture ball (good name for it lol) is to help with balancing. As we know, to be able to walk, you must have balance. The "torture ball" is used for that. Like all other things, you'll get used to it and it will be a breeze. Hang in there. During my recovery, I've used it at various times. My last therapist called it the "boogie" ball as she had me do moves on it to the beat of music.

Sorry you're having a bit of a rough spot you're dealing with. On the plus side though you do have former staff keeping in touch - that's nice. It was like I fell off the face of the earth. I can understand the need to contribute and be useful. I too struggle with that. Some days are easier than others - hope betters ones are in the near future for you.

Bill, Glad the weekend was good. It's amazing how prestroke we ran errrands and never thought twice about them. Now it's a different story and we become exhausted so quickly. I'm no longer the energizer bunny I used to be lol but then again I'm older than what I was pre as well :silly:

Sue, So glad you had a great time with the family and had a well deserved break. You were definitely missed around here. Enjoy your "quiet" weekend and get ready for your reunion with Ray.

Bill, Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging - glad to see you took the plunge. As you saw, it is painless. None of us thought that our lives would be slammed by stroke in any capacity. With your lady by your side and your outlook, I'm sure you will go far. Remember NEVER give up the fight - we can't let stroke win.

Doug, Getting used to walking again, as you've not had an AFO or even KAFO takes time and adjustment. Even now, 3 years post, I need to consciously remember to pick up my foot or I'll end up smelling the carpet as well as getting rug burns on my face. We want things achieved yesterday and that unfortunately does not occur in our worlds any longer. Hope they get issues resolved with the locks on the KAFO. As to your 4-legged protector - he's trying to protect his Dad bless his heart - he does not understand what is occuring. This is all new to him as well and will take time. I'm sure the therapists do not want him getting in your way as you're trying to walk and you injuring yourself. (((hugs))) to both of you as you adjust.

(((hugs))) to you dear as you go through this. I would definitely go after a second opinion for your hubby. The dementia issues are in of themselves frightening enough to be dealing with but for the neurologist to "rush" into hospice is a bit unreal.

Glad that you've gained some insight dear. (((hugs)))

Kathy, The unpacking will get done - my suggestion is to throw away your self-made timetable. You are but one person and can't be expected to do it all, especially post. I was always a type A personality as well; it has taken much getting used to and I constantly bite my tongue in my household. Your condo sounds lovely - when you get the chance, pics in the gallery would be neat to see of the condo, darling Connor, and the rest of your gang.

Just when I was thinking this week (dumb thing to do huh) that my recovery had plateaued, some new things occurred. First I was able to wiggle my index finger side to side. Was able to do it so far the one time but it's the first time in 3 years. Last night was way cool :laughbounce: . Kristi, Lili and I were on my bed sitting and talking (not Lili lol) and I laid back on my bed and raised my arm straight up to 90 degree angle and held it there without any assistance. In the past it would waiver in the breeze and flop back down. I was able to move it to the right across my body, to the left and behind me as well. Since I was on a roll, I ventured to bend my arm at my elbow and touch my hand to my forehead. I did that as well without clonking myself in the face, which Kristi half expected. And, I was able to raise my arm back up as well. As Kristi had previously taken NyQuil for her horrendous cough, she was half asleep on my bed so she didn't really have a reaction. Lili however thought about chasing Mom's arm going up and down. She had the "look" so I knew what she was thinking lol. I was able to accomplish my arm feats several times but quit when the old arm started wavering and quivering a bit to much. This was the first time post stroke that this occurred with the old arm. Now, if all this could occur when I'm sitting or standing so it could be a tad functional it would be great. I told Kristi, if I could hold a brush in my hand, I could brush my hair lying down. Standing, I can now bend my arm and raise my hand to my chin though it does wiggle some. Previously I got it chest high only. Just proves that recovery does continue past the first year. I'd love to call my old neuro and tell him but why bother - the idiot probably wouldn't remember me anywhoo as he only saw me one time. I have the satisfaction though and it helps keep me motivated and determined to forge ahead. I get to work on my balance several times a day during the week thanks to Lili. The ball fetching kitten :play_ball: lol. She has Mom throw her rubber ball up the steps for her to chase. She will then sit at the top of the steps and release it so it bounces back down to me. If she releases it easy enough, I can catch it when it gets down to me. If not, I get to practice bending down to pick it up without falling on my nose - So far so good there. Hopefully one day I will be able to throw it for her with the left hand. Now that would be a huge Whoohoooo. Today, Kristi did say it was cool and she was so happy - she admitted that she barely remembered telling me I was going to bonk myself in the head with my hand lol. Good old Nyquil had kicks in quick. She told her one friend from AZ today on the phone. I do think she's finally on the upside of the nasty flu bug though the cough remains. Fortunately, I've held it somewhat at bay other than aches (more than normal) and an occasional sore throat and cough. Theraflu is nasty tasting :no: :yucky: stuff for sure. But it does help. As Grandma always said the good tasting stuff doesn't help lol Next feat is to walk around downstairs without AFO and hemi with shoes on. When that's mastered, will work on the steps. Would love to retire the AFO. I must keep in mind that I'm farther along than I was on 1-1-05 and continue to count my blessings. Plus, with very limited income, my prayers are being answered in His time.

We may only be cyberly (is that a word? lol) involved, but many of us feel like Aunties to our dear little Tootie. God Bless her for all she does and tries to do with the loving support of her family. (((hugs))) to all of you.

I feel for you dear. It will be better for your Dad though and thankfully many things are staying in the family. My family home had not been in the family as long as yours but it was difficult when my Dad decided to sell it. My Stepmom really didn't want to live in the first wife's house though - different circumstance but I was upset.

Ken, I had a huge smile on my face as I read your entry. Way to GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the great work.

I second Sarah's comment that people mean well but do not understand unless they've wa;led in our shoes. As each stroke is different....you know the rest. I get the some of same comments being a survivor who has not lost cognitive abilities. Sadly, there are days when I wish I did so I could be left alone. If your friend feels she know it all, provide her with the link for the site and let her read for herself. Chin up and (((hugs)))

I am so sorry to hear of the problems you are having. I don't have any answers for you - Wish I did but as a survivor and a single parent to boot, have not experienced what you are right now. As you know, stroke affects the spouse/caregiver/family as much as it does the survivor. I pray for things to go better. Is he on anti-depressants? (((hugs)))

Hi Mel, Congrats on the stroke anniversary and sorry to hear you had a mini stroke. Hope no serious deficits. Hope you and the family have a Blessed Easter. Your monthly traditions are similar to our Catholic Lenten ones.

Probably by the time you read this, your vacation will have ended and you will be home. Hope you had a terrific time and let the days float on by without a care in the world. Please Please learn to slow down at home so you do not end up with more serious injuries. A black eye is bad enough. Rushing around and stroke recovery does not mix. We don't want to see you going backwards instead of forwards. You've come so far - keep up the great work.

Well, this past week was pretty quiet here until Friday night when Kristi came home Friday from school with the start of a whopper of the flu-bug. She ran a fever all weekend, spiking at 102.9 with all the non-delightful side affects of the flu to go with it. Poor kid. She was to go with her Uncle and her cousins to breakfast Saturday morning and shopping afterwards for my birthday present. Obviously that did not occur. She was also to be talking over family issues with Joe. When they spoke on the phone Thursday evening, he admitted there some issues that needed to be addressed. Still have no idea as to what they were. I received email birthday wishes from him as well as being told he will be calling so we can "talk". He did tell me/us not to listen to any "bull-sh**" that has been said. Love him dearly but being a male, who knows when we'll talk. We have a good idea though as to where the 'bull" originated. The 54th birthday came (can't stop them lol) and was a quiet day. Kristi listened to me and stayed home from school - guess from that standpoint she agreed (for once ) that I was wiser than she. My wise status ended this morning :bangin: (Tuesday) as she went to school although running a slight fever again. She justified herself saying that today (as well as next 2 days) they have late starts at school as Juniors are taking exams this week. Classes will only be 18 minutes long through Thursday. She did promise :whistling: to go to the school nurse if she feel's worse. She did take some over-the-counter fever reducer before she left and took some with her to take at school. She also has cough drops. Stubborn and bull-headed like her Mom, right??? The birthday was quiet but very sweet with phone calls, emails, and im's as well as greetings here on the message board. We did get a cake baked - quite yummy. The furballs were their normal selves - chasing each other all over the house. Of couse Lili had to keep scooping dry food out of bowls to chase across the kitchen floor. Kitty Hockey....she's lucky she's cute lol.

That's great news - to have a rep more concerned about the patient than the sale of a product.

Jean, Cooper's blogs are way too cute. He needs his Mom though to assist him in the preparation of his blogs. Other critters are going to want to create their own blogs lol.

Hi Sweetie, "They" never said that stroke recovery was easy did they dear girl. It does stink, that I'll agree with you on. Stroke is a sometimes impossible pill to swallow. "Murphy's Law" comes into play many times. What I try to live by is this - I survived stroke for a reason not as a punishment. There are days though when I do question this - obviously on the bad days. Those days have become lessened with time though they still occur. As to going to the amusement park - your Dad really can't stop you if you decide to go. You are an adult now and can make your own decisions. He should only be advising you or expressing his thoughts on the subject. You are entitled to "fun" time as long as you're safe and in no immediate danger. It's hard for some parents to accept when their child becomes an adult - perhaps he needs to learn acceptance. I'm sure you'll make the right decision AND do well on all your school work as well.