GeorgeLesley

Stroke Survivor - male
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  1. GeorgeLesley

    Home again

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Well how time flies! I had no idea it has been so long since I last blogged, but thanks to Sue, I'm back! Lesley and I just returned from a month in New Zealand visiting family and friends there. I had the good fortune to attend one of the Rugby World Cup matches being played in NZ at the time in person thanks to my dear mother-in-law. What a thrill! I also got in some ocean fishing and surf casting, something I had never done before. Otherwise a good trip with family and friends. A very long flight back, taking off from NZ in the morning and arriving back in the US just at nighttime, then having to cross the country without sleep. Anyway, back home now, and all is well. We left our dogs with a friend now living in a trailer on our property. Neat story, I'll make it short as I can. Years ago my parents and I bought a cabin on a remote lake up here in Northern Minnesota. It happens that Mike also owned land on that lake, and lived in a trailer there year round, even in our severe winters here, unable to even get out from the lake if he had to. During this time, he took very good care of my elderly parents while they spent the summers at the cabin. It made our family most happy that he was there as needed. Well, Mike is older now, has had a couple of strokes and some other health issues. I told Lesley that if we didn't do something, we would find his body in the spring, as I don't think he would be able to survive on his own the entire winter alone anymore. So mike's trailer is now on our property, he has heat, water, TV, and anything else he needs. He insists on paying rent, even though we don't require it. Rather like the movie "Play it forward" for those of you that have seen it. I call it turn about, since he helped my parents first.
     
    Anyway the summer was good, the freezer is full of fish and veggies from the garden. We are all tucked up for winter here, and have started exercising again as we do every winter. We pretty much stop exercising in the summer as I noticed that after exercising I had little energy for the other activities of summer like fishing, etc. Not good. Lesley is enjoying full retirement now, and besides spoiling me is busy with a garden that is the envy of the neighborhood, canoeing, biking, kayaking, making soap, snowshoeing, skiing, etc. I do my Erector Set hobby (a construction toy popular in the US in the '50's). Interesting side story about that. A 10 year old boy has started building with me and loves it. I plan a story one day about the "Old man and the boy". I also have a friend my age that helps me wile away the winter building models. While in NZ, the Auckland Meccanno Guild (also a construction toy) allowed me to attend a meeting where they displayed their models and we generally had a great time discussing such things. Lesley concurrently attended the "Meccanno widows club". A good time was had by all.
     
    Medically all is about as it was, some things don't work as well as I would like, but for a 66 year old stroke survivor, it could be worse!
     
    Cheers!
  2. GeorgeLesley

    New Year update

    By GeorgeLesley,

    We folks, it has been awhile since I wrote here. So much going on in our lives just no time for blogging. First the medical issues. I am recovering from hernial surgery three weeks ago. All went well, but not being allowed to lift over 10 pounds or do anything much is driving me crazy. But the surgeon said unless I wanted to come and see him again, don't lift anything over 10 pounds for 6 weeks. Lesley is the enforcer and so here I sit! Stroke wise, the left arm improvement I spoke of in the last entry has continued and I can pretty much do whatever I want with it. I no longer have to use the e-stim thing the VA gave me, but it sure worked! Even the curl in the left index finger has gone. Amazing. I have stopped taking the muscle relaxant pills, off all blood pressure stuff except the beta blocker for my a-fib, stopped my antidepressant, in short, I have been blessed and am doing great.
     
    We also bought a small motorhome and plan to use it mostly in the fall and spring months when there is not too much to do around here. We are planning a trip to New Zealand next fall to be at our son's 40th birthday party.
     
    Lesley is also doing great, since retirement she has stopped her blood pressure pills and also her antidepressant. She is so busy living life now, she doesn't have time to get sad. She and a local girlfriend are now making soap here at home and all sorts of other crafts, she is also playing her Mountain Dulcimer and has been asked to join a local jam group. She has more going on now and has more friends than I think she ever has had before. I have to keep slowing her down. She is now planning next summer's garden, and I am planning the fishing. We have decided to stop the pizza parties with the outdoor brick oven, as well as making the bread for sale with it. We are just flat too busy enjoying retirement and don't have time for it anymore. We will still do some pizza and bread for friends, but just don't have time to do it on a regular bais for sale anymore. Retirement has gotten in the way of it.
     
    I have reactivated my lifelong hobby of building toys and models with my Erector Sets. I have sets from around the world and routinely build models with them. I now have a local friend also retired who joins me about once a week and we build together. The craft/hobby room in the basement is getting very crowded and busy between Lesley and I. We have to now swap days for use. I never thought I would be able to use my Erector sets after my stroke, but now I can.
     
    We have had a great winter here. Lots of snow, looks like about three feet presently on the ground, no overly cold, just a few days of -20F and only a few days of much wind. The only problem I have now is that since my hernia surgery Lesley has taken over plowing the driveway (1000 ft long) with the ATV and the way she grins while doing it, I may have trouble getting that job back. I had her convinced how much hard work it was, but now she knows the truth - it's fun!
     
    Lesley and I have decided since we are both over 60 now, that it is time to lighten the camping gear we carry into the wilderness. So, new goose down sleeping bags, a new lighter tent, etc, will now go into the light weight Kevlar canoe I got after my stroke. Hopefully this will make our portages between lakes up here and in Canada a bit easier. As I said we a truely blessed and enjoying life. As with all of us over 60, a few things don't work as well with the body as we would like, but all in all, we are most happy here. Couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
     
    Well, my coffee cup is empty, long time readers know what that means.
  3. GeorgeLesley
    I am so excited that I just had to tell about it. A month ago I got an e-stim or tens unit from the VA. I have been using it faithfully nearly every day. The results have been amazing. I am now doing things with my left arm I have not done since my stroke. I can now reach up over my head and actually lift small items with the left hand. I was recently told that I would have inflammation in the left shoulder the rest of my life. It is nearly gone now, and I am starting to remember how I used to do things pre-stroke. I had not realized how much I had started to ignore the left side. As I use it more, more is coming back everyday. Thanks VA!! I was never offered this machine thru normal channels, so you may have to make some noise to get one, but it might just be worth it. I am nearly four years post stroke now, the technician that trained me on the units use said they have had results no matter how long ago the stroke was. Never give up!!
  4. GeorgeLesley
    Well here we are with summer over half gone, just flying by. So much news in our lives. Lesley is now fully retired, and we are both finding life pretty busy. Fishing has been very good for me this summer, the freezer is full for the winter. Lesley has a garden that is the envy of all who see it. This spring I added 4 raised beds about 2 feet high and 10 feet long. I also put soaker hoses in all the beds and put a timer on the whole thing along with a fence to keep the deer out. I have no idea what all we have growing but I know it is good! It looks like a jungle. Lesley is perpetual motion, and now that she is retired she is into ever more things. She just completed a three day trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with a girl friend. They tent camped and carried all their gear and paddled thru 4 lakes, all alone. The other gal was in her thirties, but Lesley apparently carried her share. They got back just in time to participate in canoe races up here and finished 3rd in one. Not bad for a 60 year old racing against 30 year olds! She has also picked up a friend who plays the mountain Dulcimer, and now that Lesley has the time and a friend to play with, they get together a couple times each month. I just go fishing.
     
    Today we are going to buy a van type camper so we can travel some in the winter and camp up here some in luxury. We are still doing the pizza parties with our outdoor oven and baking bread.
     
    I have been treated by the VA recently and must say I am most happy with the results. They gave me a fancy tens electric stim unit, and it has restored most om my left arm deficit, I can now do things that I have not done since my stroke. Medically I have nothing much to complain about. This gizmo has pretty much cleared up the left shoulder pain I was griping about previously, so I can plan on finishing the ceiling in the basement this winter.
     
    Well, my coffee cup is empty, so off I must go.
  5. GeorgeLesley
    As those of you who are regular readers of my ocassional blogs know, I don't talk about my medical situation often. But I think this important enough to try and get the word out. About six months ago I was diagnosed with arterial fibrillation (a-fib). I found that pedalling my exercise bike at any heart rate above 115 to 120 caused me to go into a-fib. I saw a cardioligist and was put on a beta blocker. No improvement. The next alternatives were not attractive to me. One day while on webmd.com, I saw an ad for a "cure" for a-fib. I'll make a long story short: It worked for me, at least so far. It is a herbal concoction from New Zealand called Flemeton. After taking it for about three weeks, I can now get my heart rate up to 135 which is my therectical max, and keep it there for as long as I wish without triggering an attack of a-fib. The product claims most a-fib will be cleared up in two months or less of daily dosing of the product, severe cases may take three months. It is not expected that taking the med for more than three months will be necessary, thus it is sold as a 90 day supply. It has worked for me. It costs about $1 a day for a 90 day supply. Money well spent in my mind. I plan to take the entire 90 day supply and then hopefully taper off the beta blocker and see what happens.
     
    Another bit of medical news. I have lost the weight I spoke of in my last entry, and have now been able to go off the diruertic I have been on since my stroke. Lesley has also been able to go off hers as well, now that she is exercising daily and we are both eating a very healthy diet.
     
    Enough medical stuff, Lesley and I have added four new raised beds to our garden this spring and I have put a soaker hose watering system in all the beds. The entire garden area is fenced in as well. We have also moved a pile of crushed rock around to various places near the house to take care of some settling. In amongst all of this I have managed to get my fishing gear ready for the fast approaching season. We are also preparing for the upcoming season of baking bread and selling it at the local Farmer's Market.
     
    Now that Lesley is retired, I will not have to pile rocks in the front of my canoe for ballast, she will do nicely and paddles much better than rocks. More conversation too.
     
    Anyway, enough for now. Please, if you know anyone who suffers from a-fib, encourage them to try this stuff.
  6. GeorgeLesley

    Spring??

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Well it is time for some catch up on our lives here. It has been warmer than usual, little snow, and try as I might not to, thoughts of spring abound. I know it could be fooling us like it did last year and give us a foot of snow in April, but the bright sun is irrestible.
     
    Lesley is trying out new breads for the market this year. Now that she is retired she has the time for it. I don't mind, someone has to test these new breads and I don't mind being a guinea pig. Now that Lesley is back, life has gotten much busier. We went ice fishing for a few days at Lake of the Woods on the Canadian border. We did it in complete comfort. Stayed in a cabin, Transported to a heated ice house in the morning, all meals provided, even lunch on the ice! Also we went on a dog sled ride a few weeks ago. This spring we are planning a houseboat for four days on Rainy Lake on the Canadian border. In between all of this we have been clearing snow, planning the summer garden, dreaming of the camping and fishing trips on the schedule, and getting the fishing tackle ready for another year of chasing "the big one". Now that Lesley is retired, she is loving sleeping in and having the freedom to do whatever she wants. She is going to all sorts of seminars and classes on gardening, cooking (yum), and whatever else strikes her fancy.
     
    We have been adopting a family that lives near us. They have a 2 year old boy and a four year old girl, and we have become their adopted grandparents, a task we don't mind doing. I figure that by the time the boy is old enough to carry a canoe, I won't be able to, so it should all work out for both of us.
     
    Economic times seem to still be not so good. The above mentioned family is struggling with unemployment, and some other good friends are at the point of foreclosure on their home. We may have them living in the basement we finished last year.
     
    My friend Mike has recovered from his last stroke, but is not as active as he was. He now exercises only a bit and is not so happy anymore. The Dr. told him to not get his BP up at all, so his life has become rather mundane. I told him he is 73 for crying out loud, be happy.
     
    Lesley and I have both started a diet. I put on about 15 lbs after the stroke, was starting to lose it when I had the shoulder surgery a few years ago and have never taken it off. It is coming off now and I WILL have it off by May when fishing season opens! That will be 15 lbs more fishing and camping gear I will be able to carry. We have both been exercising daily. I am very proud of Lesley, she is doing an hour a day on the treadmill and Bowflex machine. I do whatever my shoulder allows me to, about 30 minutes or a bit more.
     
    Most of the winter honeydo projects scheduled were not done because of my sore shoulder. Assuming it stays as good as it feels now, they will be done next winter. I had an MRI on it a while back and the report was no muscle tears, just severe inflammation. The Dr says to ease off the exercise and let it heal. Oh well.
     
    Well, the day awaits, so off I go.
  7. GeorgeLesley
    Well a happy holiday season to all! My good news is that Lesley is coming back Jan 1. The family has all settled down in New Zealand, The son and granddaughters have a place of their own again living their own life, and Lesley has come to be of the opinion that it makes no sense for her to work in New Zealand to support herself when she could be here in Minnesota retired. She has resigned from the hospital here and is now officially retired. So, the first flight she can get out is Dec 24th, then a week in California with an aunt, then HOME!
     
    Mum has decided to stay in NZ afterall. She initially said she would come back with Lesley, but in the end just couldn't bring herself to leave her country of 87 years. Can't say as I blame her. Unfortunately this means that if she becomes incapable of self care, the only option is a government nursing home since there is nobody else to look after her. She says she understands that possibility, but that is the way she wants it.
     
    My friend Mike was officially diagnosed as having had another stroke, a hemmoragic one. The good news is that he seems to be fully recovered, and no new deficits. Is riding his bike again, and seems to be back to his old self.
     
    I have been trying not to put on weight since Lesley has been gone, but with all the invites by friends to come over and eat, it has been a challenge. Over Thanksgiving I was invited out Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I was about turkeyed out by Saturday. Christmas looks as though it will be equally challenging as I have three invites I will be trying to juggle. Don't know what it is, sure can't be the good looks.
     
    I have sorted out the problems with my left (stroke side) shoulder. The doc sent me to PT, thinking it was a frozen shoulder. Turns out it was just muscle tone in the upper chest and arm itself. Three weeks of pt and it is now better that it has ever been since my stroke. The pt thinks I had just gotten too aggressive with the strengthening exercises with the Bowflex and triggered spasticity again. So I am doing EXACTLY what he says now, no more, no less. He released me yesterday from further therapy with a promise that I will continue with his slow plan to keep it getting better. Three years now post stroke, and just now figuring it out. I always said I am a slow learner. It takes time, but NEVER give up. It can keep getting better. No problem carrying the canoe this coming summer! A good thing because now that Lesley is retired she and I plan several camping trips into the wilderness with tents, canoe and such.
     
    I think I now have a good idea what caused my stroke. It was never diagnosed at the time. All the usual things were checked and were good. But since then I have found out I get A-fibularation when I get the heart beating too fast. I wne thru a full stress test and it was diagnosed. I have since found out an effect of it can be a clot forming in one of the heart chambers and having a clear path to the brain. Well, three days before my stroke I helped a friend cut and pull a Christmas tree out of the woods. It was a huge tree and we had to pull it out thru deep snow. I had to stop every 100 feet or so to catch my breath, heart racing. I now think that I was in A-fib then but didn't know it, and likely formed a clot unknowingly, and stroked three days later. Now I am on a beta blocker to slow the heart down, and plavix of course. Now that I know about the problem, I keep the heart rate down, and have slowed my exercise biking to keep the rate below 100, instead of the 130+ I used to get it up to. I now wonder if I could go off the Plavix, since I am aware of the problem and just don't get the rate that high anymore.. My doc says NO. So I am not being bull headed about it and am still on the plavix.
     
    Anyway, my coffee cup is empty, and longtime readers know what that means.
     
     
     
     
  8. GeorgeLesley

    Embarrassed!

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Well am I ever happily embarrassed!. The report I wrote on my last blog about my friend Mike was premature! I had gotten bad info, made an assumption, all proved to not be true. I got a call from Mike a week ago, just about knocked me over, and it turns out he was incommunicado for a time, and those that were supposd to let me know did not. Anyway, he is in the rehab hospital that we originally met in, says he should be back home in the near future, and is expected to recover almost fully. Not a happy camper, but it sure was good to hear from him.
     
    Lesley is working part time in New Zealand as an RN, but is learning some lessons about life she really didn't want to learn. During her absence the grand gilrs have begun to grow up, are now living a busy life, piano, soccer, drama, etc, etc, and don't have the time to spend with her she expected them to. We have always wanted our divorced son Stefan to find someone to help him raise the girls and spend his life with. Well, guess what, Stefan has found a lady also divorced with two girls about the same age as his, and they all get along famously. The result? The two nanna's (mum and Lesley) are not as needed as they used to be, and see a lot less of the family. Good for the family, but not so good for Lesley and mum. It sort of brings out the truth to the old saying "be careful what you wish for, you might just get it". The result is that mum is talking about coming back with Lesley to stay with us, as she realizes that once Lesley leaves, she will be lonely. We'll see how that all works out over the winter. Much to be done if that is to happen.
     
    Here back in Minnesota, I have pretty much got everything ready for winter around here. The ATV is ready for plowing snow, which has already made small appearances. I plan to do some serious ice fishing this year and have already gotten the winter parkas and such out. Just waiting for the lakes to freeze, probably about six weeks away yet.
     
    Seems funny not having bread to bake now, we had a super successful summer what with making about sixty loaves of bread, 20 pies, and thirty scones every week, plus having 20 to 40 people over for outdoor pizza parties. I have already cut up, split, and stacked the wood we will need for next year.
     
    The honeydo list is still there, but waiting mostly till I feel motivated to do it. Finishing the ceiling tile in the basement is the major remaining project, but my left (stroke side) shoulder has been giving me some problems, and the thought of working over my head on a ladder does not appeal at the moment.
     
    Living as a batchelor has taken a bit of getting used to Eating has been a bit of a challenge, but I have developed a "heat and eat" strategy. I reach into the freezer, grab something, if it fits into the microwave, I just keep pushing number one until it is done and then eat. I have lost a few pounds doing this, and that is not a bad thing!
     
    I did talk to the doc about cutting some meds because I bleed and bruise so easily with the plavix. We did agree to eliminate the fish oil and motrin as they both thin the blood, but she would not budge on the plavix for now. The reason for my stroke was never diagnosed, but I now have a pretty good idea what caused it, but this entry has gone on long enough, so I'll save that thought for another day during the winter inbetween ice fishing days.
     
    Bye for now, all
  9. GeorgeLesley

    Sad news

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Some sad news today to report. Regular readers will recall me mentioning my friend "Mike" I met while in rehab. We stroked about the same time, and our recoveries were similar. Mike rode his bike up to 20 miles a day after his stroke and was never satisfied with his progress, always striving for more. Mike has passed away unexpectedly. He developed a bleed in his brain, not a stroke, but the result was terminal. I went and saw him in Duluth hosp (125 miles away) while he was there I'm glad I did. I feel lost not having my buddy to talk to every week about health matters, get encouragement from him, and discuss the world in general. Only readers of this blog will understand the bond that formed between us. I'll miss him.
     
    Anyway life goes on. Lesley is in New Zealand probably for the winter 6 months or so. The summmer was so busy here and after her mum left Lesley crashed mentally and physically. It was obvious to me she needed to spend some serious time with her family in New Zealand. She said she needed to go for the month of October. I told her to go for the winter she would not accomplish much in a month, and that she needed to be there for an extended time, the dogs and I would be OK alone. Her mum is 87 and we could see a decline in her health, so now is the time to be with her. Lesley is working as an RN parttime in NZ as I told her I could manage with the money I get each month, but could not send her money. So, she is living with mum, driving her car, and spoiling the grandkids. She wondered if she should save some money for her return and I told her absolutely not, do what grandmothers do and spoil her family while she has the chance. We have two grandgirls, one 13 and one 11. She is showing them how to knit, etc, before they get to be older and forget her name as teenagers often do.
     
    Around here fall is upon us, and I am going thru some adjustment myself, from a busy summer of not enough hours in a day to do everything to now not having alot to do. By the time she returns I should have the "Honeydo" list completed.
     
    Long term readers of this blog know that I can sometimes wax on in a philisophical mode. Today is just such a day. I have always saved every penny I could, and put off things I would like to do for another day. My friends sudden passing has made me rethink that strategy, There are a few things I still would like to do, and I think I will get on with doing them. One is a fly in camping and fishing trip to a very remote place in Canada. Fewer than 1,000 people go there every year, and the place is over 1,000,000 acres in size. I'll probably have to help pay for any buddy I take along as it is more than I could do on my own, but that is OK. There are no facilities, communications, canoe paddling only, and you have only what you bring with you. I am 64 now, it is probably time to get on with it and not put it off for a better day.
     
    I have been exercising alot the past six months, and it is really helping. Still know I had a stroke, but don't talk about it anymore except here.
     
    Anyway, my coffee cup is empty, must fill it and then get busy living life.
  10. GeorgeLesley

    Priceless

    By GeorgeLesley,

    To understand the title of this entry you will have to read the end (don't cheat). Summer is fast slipping away and it has been a busy one. So far it is the coolest summer on record here. Anyway, the bread business has exploded into other items. We now make about 20 pies each week for sale to individuals and one lodge in the area, (Lesley assembles the pies, yours truely does the actual baking), about 60-75 loaves of bread each week, scones, and the latest idea of Lesley's is pizza parties on Thursday and Saturday nites. That idea has taken off as of late. For $10 you build your own pizza (all toppings and base provided), get a salad from our garden, and a sip of Lesley's liquors served at the end. Kids do smores, etc around the campfire. She is presently working on a wedding party on Labor Day weekend as well. I have been forced to start cutting wood again as we now go thru quite a bit.
     
    The best part of all this activity around the house is all the neat people we meet. It is facinating to watch total strangers mix and mingle making pizza and sitting around a campfire. We have met folks from around the country, all walks of life, each with their own stories to tell. We have had up to 14 people at a time for the parties. The success of these parties has been a total surprise. Many are tipping generously, saying our price is too low. Someone dropped off a tip in our mailbox the other day thanking us for a great night. Another dropped off some scrap wood for the fire yesterday.
     
    The deck screening in project has been completed and there are no other major projects planned until winter, then it gets busy again. Lesley's "honeydo" list never gets shorter, just what is on it changes as I complete projects, new ones appear on the bottom. We have three bathrooms in a house with two people, but we seem to need an outhouse. Also a root cellar is being talked about and a sauna. Did I mention paneling the upstairs?
     
    All of this has cut into my fishing time, but I still find time for some each week. I bought a smaller boat with an electric start motor which will be nice for the day when I can no longer pull it. The cool summer has led to some great fishing. I love it.
     
    Lesley's mum from New Zealand is here until the end of the month and has had little time to rest. She will go home to rest.
     
    Lesley, mum, the dogs, and a neighbor lady and her kids have gone blueberry picking today, I must get the fire ready for pizza tonight, stack wood, etc.
     
    It is also an exercise bike riding day which I now do everyday getting my pulse to around 120 and holding it there for 20 minutes. I had to change my HBP meds because I was getting A fib in the heart, so now on a beta blocker (whatever that is), and I have slowed the exercise down a bit to keep myself out of A fib. I do the Bowflex exercise maching three times a week for about 45 minutes. I must admit I feel more fit than I have for some time. I still wear my AFO in the woods, and still know I had a stroke, but life goes on.
     
    One final story I must tell. At one of our pizza parties a doctor and her husband came. One thing led to another and she complained about working out all winter and still being unable to lift their canoe alone. I took her over to our canoes, gave her the kevlar (the lightest I have) and asked her to show me how she was lifting it. As she started, I immediately saw the problem, had her put it down and showed her the proper technique. She then lifted it on the first try. I then said let's try the aluminum which is much heavier. She was able to lift it also. The smile on her face as she proudly showed off to her husband her new found skill was, as the saying goes, "priceless". I shared her joy with an understanding only those of us who have overcome adversity know. They left a generous tip, even though we told them "no charge", seeing her smile of achievement was enough payment.
     
    Now it is time to get busy, the coffee cup is empty, but the fire and woodpile await as does the exercise bike.
  11. GeorgeLesley
    We are patiently waiting for spring ( and hopefully summer) to arrive someday. We had a snowy, cold winter that just won't leave. In March we had a warm spell, temps in the forties. I started to think we would have an early spring. A friend of mine told me not to be fooled, it was just teasing us. Man was he right! May 31st we had snow flurries! This morning it is a beautiful day, I plan to go fishing, but when I looked in my boat the bit of water in it was now ice.
     
    Anyway, enough about the weather. If we didn't like it we wouldn't live here. I thought about titling this entry "squirrels are smart too". The latest project is putting a roof on and screening in the deck. The project is nearly done now, just a bit of screening to be done. I did need some help with the roof, I am just not as stable as I used to be and didn't feel comfortable trying it alone. Good neighbors took care of the problem. But on to the squirrels. As part of the project I decided to "squirrel proof" a bird feeder we hang from the deck rail. Thus I joined the legion of people that think they are smarter than squirrels. It has been like a chess match. As soon as I put another barrier to the feeder in the way, a few minutes later the little devils come back and find a new way to the feeder. It is now a standoff. I have made it difficult enough for them that they don't come nearly as often, and when they do they are not always successful. It was my pleasure to watch yesterday as they missed two jumps and fell (unharmed) about 12 feet to the ground. They ran up the nearest pine tree and chattered fiercely at me.
     
    The up side of all of this has been a tremendous increase in bird activity. We are seeing types we rarely see around here, and having a lot of fun watching all of this. Hopefully I have it hung high enough to be out of the bears reach. Time will tell.
     
    Anyway, we are now selling bread and assorted goodies at the local farmer's market again. Lesley's name is spreading in the local area, and new opportunities to sell and display her wares come often now. We have tinkered with the bread lineup this year, dropping the slow selling whole wheat and adding a Cinnamon raisin breakfast bread and fresh fruit pies, all fast sellers so far. I have taste tested all of course. Lesley has not had much luck with the garden this year, frost keeps killing her plants. Looks like a slim produce harvest this year.
     
    A note on stroke recovery, I now wear the new ultra lite AFO I got last summer when I carry my canoe, or walk in the woods. It really helps keep the foot from tripping (and me falling).
     
    Lesley's mum is coming from New Zealand in a month or so, her help baking will be appreciated. She is amazing, 87 this year and still going strong. A real blessing to all of us.
     
    Well, my coffee cup is empty, got to go fill it.
     
  12. GeorgeLesley
    Lot's to catch up on so here goes, Lesley recently spent four days in hosp, some intestinal bug really got hold of her. Home now and much better but still recovering her strength.
     
    Other news, well winter has arrived! We wanted snow, we got snow, and along with it real cold. We have had -50 wind chills, very brisk indeed.
     
    I have FINALLY finished rehabbing from the shoulder surgery and can now start on the backlogged list of honey do's on Lesley's list. It feels good to finally be doing something useful again. What I thought would take six weeks of rehab has taken four months. In addition, I shared some of Lesley's stomach problems although not as severe. The blood pressure has also been a problem, but better now since I have cut back on the meds a bit. All in all, a rough start for the new year.
     
    A quick update on the final results of the acupuncture. First the bad news: The earlier reported improvement in left hand and foot temperature has reverted to what is used to be since the stroke. The improvement lasted about two weeks. The good news is that the improvement in the stroke side leg and foot seem to have become permanent. No more leg twitches, can still run and lift leg as it should be, virtually no foot drop anymore. I no longer wear the new ultra lite AFO I got a few months ago, very little toe drag anymore, walk in a straight line without thinking about every step. Real improvements. Since I got the new AFO about the time I started the acupuncture, I cannot be sure if all the improvement is due to the acupuncture or the new AFO woke up the leg and ankle muscles, but who cares which it was! Some other minor points, the acupuncture helped upper back and shoulder tightness and seemed to improve the range of motion somewhat. During the treatment however, I did have a major muscle spasm on the left (stroke) shoulder and upper arm, very painful and the left arm was essentially useless for a few days and painful for a week. What caused it I do not know.
     
    A few last odd bits, our last renter moved out. We have given up on the renting idea. We have recovered much of the construction costs of finishing the basement and do not plan on renting again. A movie we highly recommend to all: "Outsourced". It is based in India, one of the main characters is a beautiful lady called "Asha", we really enjoyed it, makes you want to go to India and see the country. A bit about my friend "Mike" As you may remember we stroked about the same time and met in rehab and still talk every week. Mike has decided to visit us next summer and plans to ride his bike up all the way from his house to here, a distance of about two hundred miles. This trip will be in preparation for what he plans in 2010. That summer he plans to ride from Wisconsin all the way to Seattle, Washington and back to see his brother! Mike is 70 and had a stroke. He used to be suicidal after his stroke, I considered it my mission to keep him wanting to live, mission accomplished.
     
    Well, my coffee cup is empty, Lesley just woke up you'all know what that means.
  13. GeorgeLesley

    Acupuncture

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Well here we are still waiting for snow. We have the cold, but little snow. Supposed to be some on the way, hope so. We need it. I did go ice fishing with a friend yesterday. No fish, but saw two moose, and sat with my friend fixing all the worlds problems in 8 degree (F) temps with a 20MPH wind. Cool, but not too cold. I realized I did not have the right fishing gear, so we came in. It took me two hours of sitting in the cold wind to figure this out, but I finally did. No one ever accused me of being a fast learner.
     
    The good news of all of this is that about three days ago I tried acupuncture for the first time. I filled out the long questionnaire, and discussed what I hoped the treatment could do for me. The therapist and I discussed what, in her experience she might be able to help me with. As I left after a 1 1/2 hour session, I didn't feel anything different until I got home and had a nap. When I awoke, I noticed my left hand and left foot (stroke side) were not cold feeling for the first time since I stroked two years ago. That was three days ago, and both hand and foot have been warm ever since, even thru the ice fishing in -20F wind chills. The hand seems to feel like there is more blood in it, a feeling that I can't really describe, but I like it.
     
    Immediately after I stroked I took my laser thermometer (every gadget guy has one) and checked the actual temps of the skin on both hands. It confirmed the stroke sided hand was about 2-3 deg cooler than the other side. I did a similar check yesterday and today, and both are the same temp. I may have a bit more dexterity in the stroke hand as well, but minor improvement, it was pretty good as it was, thanks to the Saeboflex.
     
    I had previously mentioned the cool extremities to every dr. I see, and got no real response or suggestion about anything they could do about it. The surprising part about it is that problem is not what I went to her for. The bicep ache on my non-stroke side I had hoped the shoulder surgery would fix is still with me, a work in progress.
     
    I made the same deal with her I made with the Active Release guy in Canada: 4 treatments to show improvement, if none I won't be back, improvement and I will. She agreed, and I am scheduled for another next week. She told me I will likely see some improvement after the first treatment, and I have, as documented above.
     
    How long this improvement in circulation will last, I do not know. I do not know if the explanation she gave me as to what the problem was and how acupuncture fixes it is correct. Doesn't matter. Whatever she did worked after I had given Western medicine every opportunity to do it's best and fix the problem, all to no avail. I tried running this morning, chasing my dog, and I can now run 100 ft or so, a big improvement over the 10 ft I could do previously. Still not a pretty thing to see, and it really tires me out, but it is progress. This improvement may be due as much to the new AFO (carbon fiber, super lite) as anything else, I don't know. All I know is that progress is progress.
     
    Well, Lesley is sleeping after 3 nite shifts, now on a long break. We can hardly wait until she cuts her hours back in the spring. The bread business continues to grow, we now have enough regular customers to keep us baking thru the winter a few times a month. Firing the outside oven is a challenging job for me in the winter, but the results are worth it.
     
    Got to go now, the washing I put on earlier is ready for the dryer, a man's work is never done........
  14. GeorgeLesley
    Well the forced vacation from the shoulder surgery is over, now time to get back to work on Lesley's "honey do" list. (gulp). The shoulder has full range of motion back, lacking some strength due to inactivity, but next week I will force myself to exercise again. Alas, I fear that my excuse for "can't do housekeeping" is gone as well. I must admit it is good to be past all the "couch" time, but it could become habit forming!
     
    Working to finish the inside of the garage is next on the list. I managed to get it insulated before my surgery and we heat it now, which is very nice, with winter setting in.
     
    We have nearly completed our "pay off the bills" campaign, and Lesley will be cutting back her hours substantially in the spring after we build up a rainy day cushion. With all the turmoil in the financial markets today I still firmly believe that reducing debt anyway you can is the best strategy.
     
    I did get a new AFO thanks to the good folks on this forum. I had not been wearing the big, clunky think I got in rehab, because it did not fit into most of my shoes or boots, but Lesley has always been fearful of me going out into the woods alone as I often do. Trips and falls are a fact of life for me now, and I finally decided perhaps one of the new carbon fiber super lite afo's that fit into nearly any shoe might be the best answer. After doing much reading on this site on the subject, I called my insurance, eureka it is covered! The company that handles the afo I wanted (Otto Bock sold by Hanger, among others) had a therapist coming to our area the next day, so a trial fitting was arranged. Turns out it was the same therapist I saw after my stroke for a Walk-Aide trial. She had one of the new afo's with her, fitted me, and I now wear it everyday with all my shoes. It has eliminated nearly all the tripping due to foot drop, hip pain due to improper gait and greatly improved my walking balance and endurance. I can even run a few short steps now when playing with my dog Tippy.
     
    We are ready for and looking forward to winter coming soon, no snow yet but plenty of cool temps. The trees are bare, the bears sleeping, hummingbirds, ducks, loons, and geese gone, moose and deer have finished the business they do in the fall, the results of which will be seen next spring. Now that the bears are sleeping I put up the bird feeder for the Chickadees, nuthatches and other feathered friends that winter over with us. The chipmunks like it as well, but hey, everyone has to eat. Our little nearby town has gone into sleep mode, finding parking is no problem.
     
    You know, if thought about it awhile I could probably think of something to gripe about, but it just isn't worth the effort. Good bye for now, I have a football game to watch and two dogs to pet.
     
     
  15. GeorgeLesley
    I am now half way thru my forced vacation. The doc said last week all is well, just don't lift anything with the repaired arm for three more weeks. Ugh! Boring! He even said no to my desire to walk in the woods with my dogs, because I might trip and undo all the surgery. I have regained most of my range of motion already, no longer wear a sling (to Lesley's chagrin), and no longer have pain. Next month the real rehab starts, I will start lifting weights again, will probably start the exercise bike in a few days.
     
    Something more important to talk about than me. Some of you may remember my friend "Mike" I met while we both were in rehab. Mike has been up and down emotionally since we both returned home, him to Wisconsin, me to Minnesota. His recovery has been similar to mine, but he has not accepted very well his limitations now. Mike is a bike rider, used to 100 mile rides. Since his stroke he has only done 10-20 miles, no more. I say great going Mike, he says life may not be worth living much longer. This summer he traveled to Indiana to ride over 50 miles in two days. After the first day he was unable to continue. He came home very discouraged.
     
    A few days ago on our weekly call, he told me a story. While in a restraurant he saw an obvious stroke survivor enter, walking with a cane and needing assistance from a waitress to be seated and cut up his food. Mike helped him get up to leave and asked him how long ago he stroked. "11 1/2 years ago" he said. Mike then went home and evaluated how far he has come from the days we were both in wheelchairs a year and 9 months ago, to what he can do now. He is now riding his exercise bike again which he had given up, and has already noticed improvement.
     
    I hear a real change in his attitude, and have hope we can do the fishing together next year that excaped us this year.
    I am reminded of what Asha tells us about there being a real life after stroke, we just have to go get it. I think my friend Mike has finally turned the corner on the rest of his life, and I look forward to hearing of his riding next summer,
    just as he will hear about my fishing and the "honey do" projects I do around our home. His story has remotivated me to get on with my exercise program as soon as Lesley will let me off the couch. Mike and I will both do much more next year than we have since our strokes.
     
    Never give up!
  16. GeorgeLesley
    Well my surgery on the right shoulder (good side) is complete. The rotator cuff tear has been repaired, other junk removed. I am in a sling and will be for several weeks. I feel good now, just bored not being able to do what I want to. Sitting around watching TV and reading is not my thing.
     
    Attached are some pic's of Lesley baking bread and us selling it at the local market. We have stopped that for the season since I can't help anymore and the tourists have mostly left town, making things quiet around here.
     
    Now that the basement is finished, we have rented part of it to a single lady. Hopefully it will help pay for some of the cost of finishing it.
     
    Just a serious note, my gut tells me we as a country are in for some very rough economic times. I strongly encourage all of you to do whatever you can to reduce debt, avoid major purchases, tighten the belt. It is not something either party has a clue about how to fix, prepare for the worst. Hope I am wrong. Good luck to all.
  17. GeorgeLesley
    Summer here is starting to wind down, night time temps are bouncing all over the place and sometimes nearing frost levels. Daytime temps are still very nice, but wind is becoming more pronounced. The leaves are starting to show some color, and the raspberries are plentiful. Tippy and I pick whatever is left from the bear's rummaging thru the night. Fishing is also winding down, but has been good this year and still some to come (hopefully).
     
    Attached are some pic's of the basement finishing project I have been doing since last winter. All done now except for the ceiling in some areas, that will wait until next winter. It took several boxes of band aids to cover the many cuts and scrapes incurred thanks to the blood thinner I am on, but am healing up now. When I started this project the basement was just four bare walls, with and open stair with no walls or rails.
     
    I just insulated the garage and put up some wall covering so we can heat the garage some this winter. We have the heater installed, and I hired a young lad to help me insulate the ceiling. The project will get finished one of the upcoming winters, but it is to the point where we can heat it now.
     
    The rush is on to finish the necessary things before winter sets in and I have my surgery on my right shoulder next month. After that surgery, I should have a few months of rest and healing from my many cuts and scrapes. Then more rehab so I can regain my strength to finish the ceiling in the basement and get ready for next summers projects and more fishing. Lesley already has some projects lined up for me next summer, covering and screening in the deck, expanding the raised bed garden, and moving some gravel. I have noticed that to Lesley the words "he" and "we" seem to have the same meaning when used in reference to work projects, and "want" and "need" also seem to have the same meaning. I joke about it, but really don't mind, it keeps me active and off the couch.
     
    Tippy and I went fishing the other day, and it proved to be one of those days when everything that could go wrong did.
    After both batteries for my electric motor quit, as did the depth finder, one reel, and several other problems arose like the wind blowing the boat into a reef which proved to be a problem getting out of, I told Tippy it was time to go home, which we did. The good news was we had several fish on the stringer, which are now in our freezer for winter consumption.
     
    Lesley has just awakened from a good sleep after the very successful block party we had last night. A good time was had by all, and we will likely do it again next year.
     
    The next blog I will try to post some pic's of Lesley in the garden and also making bread, don't know how to reference two albums in the same entry and this one has gone on long enough anyway.
  18. GeorgeLesley

    Busy summer!

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Sue reminded me a few days ago that I hadn't blogged in some time, so here goes. I sometimes wonder if I have much to contribute to this forum anymore since I don't talk much about stroke related issues here. We were reminded this week how blessed we have been. A friend of a friend of ours had a stroke and died within a week. I count my blessings everyday, especially after a hard day of work or play and I am sore the next day.
     
    I'll try to give you a bit of an update of our summer so far, in a word---busy! As you know, summers are short up here, so we pack as much as we can into them. After Lesley's return from New Zealand, the bread business got going in earnest. We now sell about 50 loaves every Saturday at the local farmers market. She has expanded into scones, cookies, and some fresh garden produce as available. Last week all was gone in 1 1/2 hours. One lady bought 10 loaves! My job in all of this is to get the oven ready, a two day job. I fire the oven on Thursday for six hours, then on Friday for an hour or so just before she bakes. She has even got me helping put seeds on the bread and some other chores just before baking. The results of all this effort are truly worth it, the bread is yummy. We have experimented with several different types, but now seem to have settled on a seven grain, whole wheat with and without wild rice, buckweat with wild rice, and a Swedish rye. Up here the wild rice is a big deal, the locals use it in everything. We now get calls on Fridays reserving some for Saturday pickup as the locals know we sell out fast.
     
    Other than the bread, it has been a good summer of fishing. Wind has been more of a problem this year than usual, but the fishing has been good. I am a bit sore today, I took a vacationing cousin to my favorite lake and showed him some very good fishing. It is too much of a trip for me to do on my own now days, so promising him a great day of fishing was a great excuse for me to see the lake again. I had not been there since before my stroke. We paddled about 10 miles and carried our gear over a 1000 ft portage thru the woods to get there (and back). I phone call this morning confirms he is as sore as I am, very satisfying to me that I was able to stay up with him.
     
    My new light weight kevlar canoe is wonderful and has really extended the fishing I can do. I am the envy of all my friends.
     
    The basement finishing project has also gone forward on windy, non-fishing (or bread) days, and is nearly done. I am putting the ceiling in as the last part. Then comes finishing the garage before winter sets in, we have decided to heat in this winter, so insulating it is a must. Probably the insulation is all that will get done this year, my plate is pretty full now.
     
    I am having arthroscopic surgery on my right non-stroke side shoulder in September. We scheduled it then so I could rehab over the winter (something I am used to), and hopefully be able to run the snow blower before we get any heavy snow.
     
    Our dogs Jasmine the Bichon and Tippy the Springer Spaniel have been swimming several times this year and love it. Tippy just jumps in and away she goes. She has also become my fishing partner in the boat and also the canoe. We walk in the woods together, swim together. She knows the signs of me getting ready to go fishing, and hops into her place in the SUV ready to go. She has become my mate. Now that the raspberries are ripening, she has also learned how good they are, and helps herself to the ones she can reach. Lesley took her blueberry picking yesterday, apparently she likes them too.
     
    We had a bear walk thru the front yard, around the house and down the driveway a few weeks ago. fortunately I saw it before Tippy did, she would have probably have treed it as it was a small one probably a three year old, first year away from momma. I grabbed Tippy and carried her into the house, and got Lesley to see it.
     
    Lesley and a neighbor lady have decided to have a "block" party in a few weeks. But since so few people live on our road, we had to expand it a bit to include friends, etc.
     
    Other than that, we have had a quiet summer.
     
    P.S. I rarely talk about my medical condition anymore. I don't want to be one of those crotchety old men that people don't want to be around because all he talks about is his medical problems. If asked, I give a brief update, otherwise I just get on with it. I would much rather be known as the guy that "you know he had a stroke, but you would never know it". Believe me, I know it everyday.
     
    My coffee cup is empty, you know what that means.
  19. GeorgeLesley
    Just a quick note today. I am off to Duluth to get another key made for the new car. These days you don't just get a key made at the local hardware store for cars with all of this security. The Kiwi Bird will fly again soon and bring you all up to date on the trip to New Zealand, probably a week or so.
     
    Tomorrow is the big bread day at the market, so today she will be baking. I fired the oven yesterday so that she will not need much of a fire today to bring it up to the proper heat. It was still about 400 degrees F inside this morning.
     
    I carried the canoe into the woods a few days ago, no fish but had the lake to myself except for the eagles, etc. I have decided that I will have to give into age and get a lighter, shorter canoe. The one we have is a bit much for me to handle alone, too long in the wind, and putting rocks in the front the other day for ballast I fell into the water. Only about a foot dxeep, but also about 55 degrees! Cold and wet!
     
    Lesley just got home, so off I go!
  20. GeorgeLesley

    She's baaack!

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Finally Lesley has returned! The dogs and I went and got her in Duluth (125 miles away) Tuesday night. All went well, she arrived on schedule and the dogs went crazy. We got home about 2:20AM wednesday happy indeed. Fortunately she liked the new car (whew) and she was thrilled and shocked at the progress in the basement project. The only remaining work is to panel the new bedroom, all else is done.
     
    We had to go to the grocery yesterday to restock produce, as her idea of a well stocked refer is a bit different than mine. Ahhh, salads again. Some freinds sent over some lasana to welcome her back, several welcome back phone calls, but otherwise a few quiet, slow days.
     
    I really battled the last week before she returned to get done what I wanted to do. It just happened that I had a problem with my blood pressure acting up, and I just generally felt poorly. Forcing myself to finish the work I wanted to get done was very difficult indeed. I even have had to stop my daily exercise for a bit. I just didn't have the energy for it and a day of work in the basement. My right (non-stroke) shoulder has something wrong in it and really hurts at times. I think an MRI will be done soon to see what is going on, but any surgery will have to wait till next fall. Summers here are short and I will not give one up with a shoulder in rehab. I can still carry the canoe, that is all that really matters. I actually had to drink my coffee with my left (stroke side) hand for a few days. Talk about constraint therapy!
     
    I think the adrenalin has left me and the last few days since she returned all I can do is relax. Fishing season is now open and I have not even been yet. I did load the canoe on the new suv yesterday, it went much easier then last year. It appears the winter of exercising has paid off.
     
    Speaking of exercise, the therapist in Canada I went to for Active Release called yesterday just to have a social call and see how I am doing. We invited him and his wife to come spend a weekend with us sometime, I might even show him some of my fishing holes. Needless to say I have not had any followup from any therapists in this country.
     
    The ice has finally left the lakes here, on opening day (last Saturday) some still had ice on and were unfishable. We are about two weeks behind weatherwise this spring. I had hoped to go out today or this evening, but it is quite windy, unsafe for a canoe, so another relaxing day at home. Lesley worked last night, and the dogs have quickly returned to the routine of watching out the window and welcoming her home.
     
    The greenhouse is very green inside and the flowers along the driveway Lesley lovingly cares for are coming back to life. We still use the heater at night in the greenhouse, but should be able to get the outside garden going in a few weeks. We are going to keep the tomatoes in the greenhouse this year otherwise all we wind up with is a lot of green tomatoes that never ripen because of our cool summer nights.
     
    Well, the neighbor lady just called and is donating some wood scraps to me so I need to help unload them, more later!
  21. GeorgeLesley
    Still a bachelor until May 13. Lesley is having a great time in New Zealand, all there is well apparently. Here, well the dogs still look out the window every morning expecting her to drive up. Soon Tippy, soon.
     
    Some good news. Since the snow has melted, Tippy has become quite difficult to control outside. There is a winters worth of stuff to sniff and chase, minding me was not her priority. I have gotten an electronic collar for her and it has worked wonders. After just a day of use she usually only needs the tone stimulus, not the electrical tingle. Many times I now take her outside without the collar and she minds wonderfully. She even minds now if I call her in mid chase of a rabbit or something. I have used it for about a week now, and she even sits by the door waiting for me to put it on her when it is time for outside. What a joy to be able to walk outside with my dog without fear of losing control of her and her being attacked by something in our woods here. I bought the expensive variety, but so far money well spent.
     
    The basement finishing goes on, major construction is nearly done, should be completed within the next few days if I can find the energy to get off the couch. Wiring and plumbing are done. The last major part for now is the knotty pine paneling in what will become a bedroom and the adjoining hallway.
     
    As spring comes, the draw of the outdoors increases. A few days ago we had a beautiful warm, sunny, spring day. I spent the day outside with the dogs burning a winters accumulation of construction debris. Fishing begins in a few weeks, also Lesley and I will be involved in much bread baking in the outside oven, The Farmers Market will be opening here in a few weeks and we will be selling bread there.
     
    I moved up to a newer, smaller SUV a few weeks ago for my fishing needs. The old one had over 150,000 miles and was 13 years old. Lesley has become increasingly concerned that I might become stranded in some of the remote areas I go to alone, and has been pushing me to get something newer. So, when this 2006 Ford Escape came along with everything I wanted on it and low miles to boot, I got it. I probably don't need the moon roof but I guess I can open it and look at the bottom of my canoe when I am carrying it!
     
    I don't talk much about my stroke anymore. I still have "deficits", but have pretty much just figured out how to get on with what I want to do. I still have aches and pains, but I have noticed they usually go away when I get active. Taking a day off sitting on the couch seems to make them worse. I guess one of the worst problems I have is that I bleed at the drop of a hat because of the blood thinners I am on. With all the construction I have been doing there are many nicks and cuts all the time. I had to go to the Dr. yesterday for antibiotics because one cut had become infected. I wear gloves, knee pads, long sleeves, etc, to protect myself, but stuff happens. I always have band aids close at hand.
     
    Anyway, as much as I am enjoying writing this, I am not getting my exercise done sitting here on the couch, or finishing the basement. So, off to work I go!
  22. GeorgeLesley

    Home alone

    By GeorgeLesley,

    Home alone in a blizzard. That is my plight. Lesley is somewhere in transit to New Zealand. The last I heard from her she was heading for Denver, Co, then to California for a day, then on to New Zealand. Meanwhile, the dogs and I sit here in a real blizzard. 50 MPH winds, and several inches of snow so far,and more coming all day. The driveway is impassable and will remain so. It is supposed to warm up next week, hopefully enough to melt this stuff. It is a good day to read a book and watch the Masters golf on TV. That is if the power doesn't go off, it frequently does in these high winds.
     
    Well, just heard from Lesley. She is in Denver, on standby for an earlier than previously scheduled flight to Calif.
    If I don't hear from her within the next 1 1/2 hours that means she is on the plane. Whether it is in the air or not I won't know for awhile. Such are the vagaries of air travel these days. I guess I can try to figure out how to track the flight on the internet. Sigh. Sometimes not having a cell phone is inconvenient.
     
    The dogs made very short work of their morning outside business today. It was less than pleasant weather for them. Hopefully attached are pics of them dressed for action. They were disappointed this morning when Lesley never drove up the driveway. Alas, we won't see that for a month.
     
    Lesley put over 30 meals in the freezer for me and has all her girlfriends calling to see if I am allright. So far, so good. I will not be working on the basement finishing today. As you all know by now, I can be quite lazy when it suits me. Today is such a day. About 3/4 of the basement is done, hope to have the rest by the time she returns.
     
    My coffee cup is empty, you all know what that means.
  23. GeorgeLesley

    Uplifting letter

    By GeorgeLesley,

    I don't have any more solutions for problems at the moment, just waiting for some of my previous ideas to be implemented. I did receive a most uplifting letter a few days ago.
     
    During my investigation of Saeboflex as a treatment after my stroke, I contacted a referral they gave me. He stroked about four years ago. He spoke highly of the Saeboflex. During our ensuing conversations, I recommended Active Release Therapy (ART) to him. I just got a letter telling me in much detail how much ART had helped him, and thanking me for telling him about it. He told me he had given up ever getting better as he had seen no improvement in the past year. Since starting ART he has gained significant range of motion, strength, ability to walk better, and now even drives their motor home.
     
    It turns out he lives close to where ART was developed and has had seven sessions to date. He has been able to rejoin a health club and now uses it regularly, all thanks to ART! He sounded like a kid with a new toy, he was so excited. I wrote back to him and shared the joy. Never give up and don't be afraid to try new things.
     
    On another front, the basement finishing goes on. The stairwell is done except for the carpet. A large storeroom has been completed and paneled, complete with lights. It has been a lot of fun doing it, I work anywhere from 0 to 6 hours a day, depending how I feel, and quit when I become tired or am no longer having fun. Next week I will be starting the bedroom you folks will sleep in should you come our way. I have already done most of the wiring in that room and built the walls, now for the finishing. A plumber is coming to install the bathroom fixtures next week as well. In years past I would have done it myself, now I only do the things I really enjoy. Plumbing is not my thing. I have decided to farm out the finishing of the garage as well, putting panels on the ceiling is just a bit past me now.
     
    Lesley continues to prepare for her trip to New Zealand next month, putting meals in the freezer for me and lining up friends to make sure I do not starve while she is gone. I plan to make much progress in the basement while she is gone, and will hopefully surprise her when she returns. When she returns it will only be a week until fishing season opens, then work on the basement stops until next fall.
     
    Still winter here, we are seeing overnight lows around zero still, but are getting into the thirty's some days. We have had some snow a week ago, I got to use the ATV and clear it from our driveway and did the neighbors as well. Looking forward to fishing soon, should be able to carry the canoe better this year. I have been working out all winter to make myself stronger and have more endurance, we'll soon see if it pays off.
  24. GeorgeLesley
    Today is another day of hard work. Watching two young lads paint the stairwell and then carry material to the basement. I have already gone thru two cups of coffee watching them work. Lesley stayed at the hospital to avoid the noise.
     
    Anyway, it is time to solve some more problems, so here goes.
    Men cause most of the problems of this world. Women don't start usually wars, commit violence, commit sexual harrassment, be homeless, etc. So I propose we attack the problem at the roots.
    I propose we invent a implant to be placed in the brain (or skull in case of some men without brains). This implant would register the thoughts of the implanted man. Should he think a bad thought, such as sexual harrassment, etc, a signal would be sent out to a homeless person equipped with a receiver pointing out the location of the offending male. The homeless person would then locate the offending male, and charge him a fine on the spot. For convenience, this fine could be charged to a credit card. The homeless person would get a cut of the money, thus making them diligent in collecting as much as possible. Different offenses could carry different fines, and be adjusted to whatever is politically correct at the moment. Incorrigible men could be charged extra heavy fines for their evil ways. The money would go to a fund to be paid out to women. We all know women are paid less than men for the same work. We could call this fund the "gender equality tax".
     
    We could put all our young people to work inventing and making these implants. They could be made with an American flag on them and could only be "made in America", thus helping the trade imbalance with China. We could use illegal immigrants working in outpatient clinics in Walmarts to do the implanting. Since most men have little for brains, this need not be a complex operation. This would give illegal immigrants meaningful work and add to the tax base.
     
    These implants could be powered by something most men have too much of: testosterone. To keep the illegal immigrants busy and gainfully employed, men would be required to regularly buy supplements at the clinics to insure they have enough testosterone in their systems to power the implants.
     
    Think of all the problems this would solve. Sexual harrassment would be solved along with any other politically correct cause of the moment. Homelessness. Illegal immigrants not working. Pay equity between the sexes. Any other politically correct evil of the day like drinking too much, overeating, etc.
     
    Between these implants and solving the comet dust problem, I think we can solve most of the world's problems.
  25. GeorgeLesley
    A few days ago I had one of those days the readers of this know all too well. I woke up feeling very tired and just generally punky. I struggled thru the daily hour of exercise and that was it for the day. No explaining it, just a bad day. No work got done. Only rest and channel surfing. The next day I awoke refreshed and promtly over did work in the basement and felt tired all the next day. I still have a few lessons to learn in the "what I can do" category.
     
    Today two young fellas are coming over to move all the material from the garage to the basement. I am getting smarter. Goodness knows there is plenty of empty space between my ears for new intelligence to grow (now more space than there was). If I can just live long enough I will become a genius.
     
    Now to that darn comet dust. I have developed a theory that since we all feel a bit stiffer and slower moving as we age, the earth must pass thru a cloud of comet dust or some other unknown stuff in space each year that makes us all feel a bit older. The effect must be cumulative as we age because it does not seem to affect young people. Rather than send more people to the moon to hit golf balls and collect rocks, our scientists should investigate this stuff and either find a way to neutralize it or alter the earth's orbit around the sun to avoid the comet dust. I think this would be a great project for the younger generation and would get them away from their video games for awhile and into something productive. Altering the earth's orbit might just solve global warming as well in the process if they move us just a bit further away from the sun.
     
    I just hope they get on with it and someone takes me seriously before I pass thru any more comet dust.
     
    I hope this brought a smile to some of your faces, writing it did to mine. Someday I may share my thoughts on how to solve the homeless problem, sexual harassment. and several other of life's maladies.