stessie

Stroke Survivor - female
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Blog Entries posted by stessie

  1. stessie

    2015

    By stessie,

    Happy New Year! I am not sure if there are those who still remember me (Stessie) but I remember ever so many. I turned 65 in November and celebrated with family and friends. Life in 2014 was good and I am hoping for the same in 2015. I am on Facebook under Stephanie Richey Wolfram...would enjoy hearing from you.
  2. stessie

    LIVING IN OHIO

    By stessie,

    Election day is Tuesday and the recorded phone calls will stop Wednesday. We are considered a swing state by both parties. One day this past week we received 12 recorded phone calls. One thing is that this has given me an opportunity to listen to both candidates live by attending two ralleys. I have worked the polls for the past five years and am looking forward to doing it again this coming Tuesday. I pray the turnout is great and that folks vote. I'll keep you posted about voter turnout.
     
    It is so good to be back on Stroke Net,
  3. stessie

    Oh, what a year!

    By stessie,

    I haven't been on here much this year but just enjoyed catching up and reading blogs. In March of this year, I suffered from an infection in my upper leg that turned into sepsis. I was shaving my legs and had an inverted hair. Thank goodness my spouse talked me into going to the hospital as my blood pressure had plummeted and my temperature was rising. I was admitted and on the third day fell into a coma and suffered multiple organ shutdown...on dialysis for my kidneys; two heart attacks; stroke; collapsed lung; on a ventilator; had a trach; pneumonia; and etc. I was in the coma for almost a month. When I woke up, thank goodness I remembered my name but could not remember where I lived. After almost a month in ICU, I went to an accute rehab hospital and then on to a nursing home later for daily care. I survived! On July 27, I had heart surgery due to the heart attacks and spent more time in ICU and then to the nursing home again for more recovery. I have been going to cardiac rehab three days a week for more than six weeks.
     
    I feel blessed to be on this side of the ground and continuing to recover. In the last five years I have suffered a stroke; had breast cancer; sepsis; and heart surgery. I am truly a survivor! I continue to volunteer for Make A Wish, Be A Kid, and etc. I still watch our grandson several days a week...he is now 4. I believe that caring for Logan truly inspired me to push hard for recovery. I turn 63 later this month and am thankful for more birthdays.
     
    I am blessed and continue to make the most of what I can in life. Sure, I have some deficits but I work daily to try and overcome as much as I can.
     
    Stroke Net has played a big part in my life. I am so thankful for the friendships I have made here. I am on Facebook under Stephanie Richey Wolfram, too.
  4. stessie

    Hello

    By stessie,

    After breast cancer last year, I was hoping and praying 2011 would be a year without health challenges. It didn't take long after the beginning of the year for that to change when I had a second stroke. This one affected my left hand and through physical therapy, I now just have numbness in several fingers. I know that this, too, can change as I had the same numbness in my left foot after the first stroke and it went away about eighteen months later. No complaints here...I am thankful to still be around and loving each and every day. I just had a mammogram last week and all looks good for cancer remission.
     
    I still watch our grandson, Logan, who will be three in July several days a week. I am blessed to be such a big part of his life...if I were still working, I wouldn't have this opportunity. This week he told me, "now that you have hair, you are a hot chick." Where in the world did he ever hear this??? This is the same little fella who told me after he sniffed my new purfume that I smelled like a skunk. So maybe I am a hot chick who smells like a skunk..lol.
     
    I continue to volunteer and have added both the Wellness Community (cancer center) and Hospice. This is in addition to Make A Wish and Be A Kid Again. The Wellness Community is dear to my heart and I have made so many new friends there. Of course, you don't make too many friends at Hospice but if I can just do one deed for them while they are there...I feel honored. You can just pass them a glass of water or turn a different radio station on or switch the tv...easy things. I have always had respect for stroke caregivers but being at Hospice has tripled this respect. You give so much of yourself to loved ones and there are many times when you are exhausted.
     
     
    Life continues to be good. I am anxious to get out in the yard and do some plantings. We have some greenery coming up now..the rain this week and then several days of sunshine are the magic that is needed. Spring is such a time of rebirth.
     
    I love all of my Stroke Net friends and keep you in my thoughts and prayers daily. As a stroke survivor and hopefully a cancer survivor, I will never give up as I have too much to live for. My husband still has six years to work, so I am just hanging out until he gets to retire and we are able to enjoy retirement every day together. To all my stroke survivor and caregiver friends...don't ever give up.
  5. stessie
    I've spent the last several months doing physical therapy for my right wrist that was broken in a July fall and for two fingers on my left hand that were broken in an August fall. The first time I slipped on water near a pool and the second time I fell over boxes of hangers next to a counter at Dillard's. Wbew! What a summer I had. I started seeing a chiropractor who has worked with me on strengthening my upper torso muscles to help me in my walking. All in all, I have made progress.
     
    I'm also doing yoga and finding that very relaxing. Hey, I can't do everything but I enjoy parts of it.
     
    Logan (grandson) is now 2 1/2 and I now watch him three days a week rather than two. I love, love this child. It is so amazing seeing things through the eyes of a child. When he wraps his arms around my neck and tells me he loves me, my heart just melts. Of course, there are days I am exhausted and go to bed early, but having the opportunity to be such a part in his life is all so worth it.
     
    I'm helping a college prof with his on-line teaching by grading submitted work and etc. This is fun and keeps me involved.
     
    I am still very involved with Make A Wish and also Be A Kid First. These are two organizations that really give back.
     
    I volunteer one day a week at the Cancer Wellness Center and meet so many
    nice people. This gives me a chance to interact with adults.
     
    I finally have hair! I relegated "Rennie," which was my wig to storage. All wig companies name their wigs and Rennie was a good companion to me for many months.
     
    All in all, life is good. I continue to work on my left leg deficits and doubt I will ever give up.
     
    For me, I'm hoping for less doctor visits and hospital stays in 2011. It can happen. For you, my Stroke Net friends, I wish you nothing but health and happiness in 2011.
  6. stessie

    OH, WHAT A NIGHT!

    By stessie,

    Thanks for all of your support in my winning bid for breast cancer survivor for 2010. The pics are up at www.cincinnati.com, then under Living, and then to the right under Out on the Town (Bras with Flair). It was a magical evening!
  7. stessie

    FRED - YES! YES! YES!

    By stessie,

    We won! They told me the vote was 7 to 1 and from almost very state in the U<S> There is absolutely no way I won without your help. And, thank you o everyone at SN.W
     
    What has been really neat and a compliment to you is that I knew during the voting period that you were my cheerleader. It means so much to me.
     
    When your wife has vacation time, you come on up! We are a beautiful river city and I will gladly take you around to explore. We have a bedroom waiting with your name on it!!
     
    I will definitely have pics taken and posted. THANK YOU.
  8. stessie

    DOWN TO THE HOME STRETCH

    By stessie,

    Voting for the 2010 breast cancer survivor ends this coming Friday at 11:59 PM. You can vote daily and multiple times at www.cincinnati.com, then under Living (Main), and then under Giveaways nd Special Promotions. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Thanks, Fred, for all you are doing to help mw, too This is Stephanie Wolfram (Stessie).
  9. stessie

    YOUR VOTE WOULD HONOR ME

    By stessie,

    I am one of 5 finalists for Breast Cancer Survivor foe 2010 here in Cincinnati. I did get permission to also mention my stroke. I would be so honored if my Stroke Net friends could/would consider voting for me. You can vote daily until September 24. Please go to www.cincinnati.com, then under Living (Main), and then Breast Cancer Survivor Videos. I'm Stephanie Wolfram. Thank you so much! If you have family or friends who would also vote for me, that would be super.
  10. stessie

    LIFE HAS CHANGED

    By stessie,

    Life has definitely changed for me during the last 9 months. Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in October, it has been a long journey. After my stroke in April of 2007, I am not sure that I wasn't just existing. Yes, I was busy and involved but in looking back it was on a guarded basis. Today I am living life to the fullest again and not afraid to take chances. I flew on my own and met friends in Atlanta recently. I didn't let my deficits weigh me down a bit.
     
    My hair started to come in about a month ago. I still need to wear my wig or head covering, but seeing hair again is wonderful. I am scheduled for a blood transfusion next Monday as my counts are still low. Hopefully this will be my last. My nails are falling off from the chemo but this, too, shall pass.
     
    Life is so good once again. I am scheduled to do another volunteer study in PT for my leg again and am looking forward to this. I still watch our grandson twice a week and even did this during chemo. Can you believe he will be two in early July??? Our yard is full of lovely flowers...and much of this is due to all of the rain we have received.
     
    I'm not on here as much as I used to be as I am volunteering at the breast cancer center as well as Make A Wish.
     
    I love you all and pray daily for my stroke net friends.
  11. stessie
    Saturday is my three-year post-stroke anniversary! Today I went out to lunch with several friends and we then went to several garden stores looking for flowers to plant. It is amazing how far one can come in stroke recovery...of course, I wore my brace but it is so lightweight. Life is good!
  12. stessie

    Life is again Good!

    By stessie,

    Life is returning to a sense of normalcy and it is good! This coming week I have a post-stroke anniversary coming up...it will be three years on April 24. When I look back, life has changed but I am thankful for each and every day.
     
    Chemo ended over a month ago and not having weekly appointments for blood work, chemo, testing, and etc. is great. I am edging back into volunteering and in addition to Make-A-Wish will be volunteering at the Breast Cancer Surgery Center for a local hospital. I really missed interaction with adults when I was home while on my cancer journey the past six months. I am not thinking of cancer and/or a stroke every day...working in the yard with flowers...going to lunch with some friends...watching our grandson two days a week, and etc.
     
    I still do not have hair but I have faith it will begin to sprout. Hey, I will settle for any color, curly or straight, just to have hair again. It is amazing how many people will stop you in a store or restaurant just to say they have been on the same journey or know a friend or relative who has been on the same journey. I find this happens when I wear a cap (thank you, Bonnie) or a ball cap. I had never worn a ball cap in my life but kind of like the light pink ones.
     
    Our family (two daughters and I) threw a suprise 60th birthday party for my husband, Jim, on Saturday evening. It was definitely a surprise and we all had a great time. We grilled out and the weather cooperated. Six of Jim's eight brothers and sisters and their families made it along with his 88 year old mom. A great time was had by all friends and relatives!
     
    My older sister came down from Dayton today and we went to lunch and shopping. I wore my leg brace and she was amazed at how well I walk with it (can't even tell I have it on under my jeans). We had such a fun afternoon.
     
    Yep, life is beginning to return to some type of normalcy...and I cherish it.
  13. stessie

    What a Week!

    By stessie,

    My last chemo was March 16 and I received the neulasta shot on 3/17. The neulasta shot normally rebuilds the white blood cells. I was feeling somewhat drained and just attributed this to cumulative chemo. I went to our daughter's house to watch our grandson and felt okay at 8 am. By 10 am I was vomiting and had diarrhea but with no fever. I then began to see stars so called my husband and daughter, and then the oncologist. We went to the cancer center at the hospital where I am receiving treatmnt and my blood pressure was 65/42. I thought there was something wrong with the machine as I had never seen it that low. The oncologist admitted me to the hospital and my white blood cell count was at .5 and my red bloos cell count was very low. They put me in isolation and began administering antibiotics and giving me neuprogren shots. I received two units of blood on one day. I received another unit on another day. I have never received blood so this was a new experience for me.. When you receive blood, they monitor your vitals every 45 minutes to make sure there is no reaction.
     
    On the way to the hospital, I felt so bad that I thought for the first time ever "well, this could be the day." I am happy our creator has other plans. It was amazing but I also felt the presence of my mom who passed away over 10 years ago walking "this walk" with me with her hand on my shoulder tellling me I am here with you.
     
    I am on my way to recovery. My white blood cell count has gone from .5 to 14.8 which is a good thing. The blood transfusions are getting my blood pressure up to almost 90/60.
     
    I am just looking forward to getting home and enjoying some outdoor sunshine. I have faith this part of my recovery journey will soon be over and life will return to some sense of normalcy (maybe a week without doctor appointments and etc.).
     
    Thanks for listening...I just had to put what has been happening in writing so I csn move on. I am so thankful for Stroke Net.
     
  14. stessie

    Chemo is Over!

    By stessie,

    I say chemo is over yet I know in my heart cancer can raise its ugly head and come back again...so I am praying the chemo I had this week was my final.
    I am sitting here with the after effects of the neulasta shot which was given the day after chemo (they rescheduled the final chemo for March 16). The shot is a good thing and will, hopefully, keep my white blood cell count rising. The awful side effect is that it settles in my arm, leg and foot where I have stroke deficits and is painful. This was my fourth and final shot, and the pain yesterday and today has brought tears to my left side deficits. When I walk, I feel as though I am moving blocks of heavy cement.
     
    I will, however, get through all of this and move on with life. I am so anxious to have a week of no blood work, doctor's appointments, and etc. It will feel so good to get outside and begin walking again and to feel the warmth of the sun on my body.
     
    I did a photo shoot for the Susan G. Komen Cure for Cancer and my photo along with that of two other wonderful ladies will be be on posters and billboards around town. Even though there is no hair, the eyes can tell a story of a cancer patient.
     
    My two daughters and I are finalists for a Dove soap commercial. I have been loyal to Dove for many, many years. What amazed the folks at Dove is how my facial skin retained as much moisture as it did through weeks and months of radiation and chemo. I used a ton of moisturizer! The girls are really excited about this!
     
    I am working on an Educational Media Campaign for Post-Stroke Spasticity. The national spokesperson is Henry "the Foz" Winkler as he cared for his mother for many years after her stroke. I feel so much more info is needed out there in the public for stroke awareness and more funding from Congress.
     
    I'm in a recovery mode with much to look forward to in the future. I continued watching our grandson two days a week during surgeries, radiation, and chemo and look forward to keeping on doing this. I would like to see stroke awareness rise to where breast cancer is in terms of recognition and funding.
     
    I couldn't have made it this far without my Stroke Net friends. Thanks for being here for me. Hey, I should have hair begin to grow back in about three weeks and wonder if it will be newly curly or dark colored or grey. Whatever, I will just be glad to have it.
     
    Thanks to everyone!
  15. stessie

    CANCER

    By stessie,

    My next round of chemo is scheduled for February 23 and if I can stay healthy, my final will be March 19. Just wanted to blog tonight about some of the unpleasant side effects (maybe just to get them off my mind):
     
    1) Your nose drip, drip, drips all day once you lose your nostril hair. It's really more annoying than anything.
    2) My chemo drip takes 6 hours...that's a lot of talking with the person who came with you, reading, and listening to music.
    3) Day 3 and 4 after chemo seem to be the most difficult...that's when side effects begin happening.
    4) The neulasta shot given within 24 hours after receiving your chemo (to increase white blood cell count) strikes me with bone pain on my stroke affected
    side and has been very painful. The cost for each shot is $3,000 and I have a 20% percent co-pay (ouch).
    5) Cancer is very expensive...co-pays on radiation, chemo, doctor visits, and etc.
    6) I lost my hair on Day 12 after my first chemo. When it started coming out in clumps, I asked my daughter if I looked like Uncle Fester. I have some
    fun wigs and hats.
    7) I have lost over 20 pounds since the first of the year. You really do not have an appetite and the smell of some foods can cause you to gag.
    8) Sores in the mouth from chemo begin a few days after you receive it and are there for about 7 more days...I do use non-alcoholic mouth wash
    and another prescribed medicine.
    9) There are so many pills associated with cancer and chemo that it scares me. The day before each chemo treatment I have to take 10 steroid pills. Of course, you are so wired the night before treatment that on my last round, I cleaned the refrigerator and freezer at 3 am. You take pills to combat neausea, stomach ailments, skin rashes, and etc.
    10) Everyone gets it...it's either constipation or diarhea, and there are more pills for this.
    11) My veins are holding up well. I elected not to have a port put in as this was another surgery and another co-pay.
    12) No leg shaving, underarm shaving, and etc. as the hair goes away after the first chemo.
    13) Fatigue associated with chemo....believe me, it's real.
    14) When you go in on chemo day, you PRAY you will receive it. Whoever thought I would be asking for and praying for chemo. Once your blood work comes back, it is determined whether or not you will proceed. I am trying to stay healthy so I can get this over with.
    15) There are so many doctor appointments. It will be nice when this is over to have a week without them.
     
    And, I have met some of the nicest people on this cancer journey. I go to a Support Group each Tuesday night for folks in active breast cancer treatment and have made some nice friends. I have a good team of doctors and I love the oncology staff at the hospital.
     
    I am praying that I beat breast cancer and can return to some sense of normalcy in life. I know it can happen as I came back from stroke in April of '07.
    For the most part, I have a positive attitude...but there are a few days when you are vomiting, have bone pain, and etc. that it really can get to you.
     
    Thanks for listening. I just felt like blogging tonight and sharing some of the experience.