Stroke Journey

Well it is now my one year anniversary of my stroke! In many ways I thought that I would be pretty much back to "normal" by now! Well that just shows how wrong I can be! A few things I will not be able to do again! Many things I can do, but with anywhere from a little, to a lot of modification or assisting equipment! There are some things that will take a bit more time too. I am glad that I started going to The Center too. It is a regular reminder that things could be a lot different and difficult for me! Some stuff I have to contract out, like my lawn work, cleaning my gutters and other stuff! I needed to start outsourcing that kind of stuff anyway! I continue to be able to do things that a few months ago were not possible! Some days are better than others too. Some days start not so good and end up pretty good. Other days are quite the opposite! By and large though most of the time, if I pace myself, I do pretty well - considering! I have learned patience as well as findin...

Having had the stroke nearly a year ago, I have been forced to redefine my "retirement". There are some things I am no longer able to do. There are other things that take longer but  can still be done. Yet other things that must be relearned but once mastered are much like they once were. That is comparatively rare though! Most things require adaptations and modification! Last night for example, I made a meatloaf using half venison and half hamburger. In the past the preparation time would have been 15 to 20 minutes. Yesterday it was close to 45 minutes! Also carrying it to and from the oven was quite an adventure! Once upon a when, that was no problem. Now however, with a wonky right hand, and arthritis setting up, as well as problems walking without something to aid with balancing, it was a slow challenge! The thing to remember though, is that I accomplished it! This is the case with many things. I have to take my time and be careful and patient! Many things can be accompli...

I have been going to The Center For Individuals With Physical Challenges on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a month now. They offer many programs geared toward people with physical challenges to help with social, arts, sports, and  fitness! It is strange but I drove by there for years but never knew what it was! It is now giving me social contact as well as exercise of my brain and body! I'm even driving to The Center! I haven't ventured out of town yet but I'm getting braver all the time! Though recovery is progressing it is slow by my feelings, but this is my personal expectations. I have learned through comparison to others, I am quite lucky and am recovering well! This cool wet weather is not my friend either! I can tell that since the stroke, some things have become more noticeable too, like my arthritis! While I may not be able to do some of the things I once did, but that doesn't mean that I won't adapt some things to what I can do! I intend to do some things I on...

I have to look back over the last few months periodically! Sometimes it is to remind me of where I was when I was first in the hospital when I was first coming to terms with where I was. Sometimes it is to look around myself and realize that all that much hasn't really changed! I have to give myself credit for my recovery so far, but it is because of the recommendations, suggestions, and work of my therapists! I have also been encouraged all along by my friends. If it wasn't for many people I would not have made the progress that has been made! I still have a  ways to go but it is doable! When I think something is not going to happen, I have to remember many things that I now do were beyond me not to long ago! Just a few days ago I started to drive again. While so far I have not traveled out of the neighborhood but that is a huge step for me. That was not only a benchmark of physical capabilities for me, but also a mental accomplishment. I have to remember that not to long ago ...

It is supposed to be the season that many are all giddy about the season.  For the most part I am more like a great many of my friends. Not that many of us are Baa Humbug, but more often than not we are tired of the commercialization of the season or have a different perspective than we are expected to have! Many of things remembered such as cards are out of style or simply not done any longer! Our friends are a much more diverse lot than they once were too! Ethnic and Religious boundaries have become much more blurred too. The same could be said for traditions too. For many of us the old traditions are no longer practical! We are much more mobile than than we once were due to many reasons! We are now scattered all across the country and even the world! Our connections are no longer limited to in person or paper means! We can now visit through digital means at will, via many different modes! We can communicate daily with our "family of choice" which may or may not include blo...

But it does come! I have had to remind myself of that often. It is only too easy to look back only a day or even a week. That is how discouragement sets in! A week or maybe two weeks ago I was able to start using a 4 footed cane. Not long before that such a thing was impossible! I have to stop and "reset" my balance often and I don't really trust my balence late at night or early in the mornI still still usue the walker often. It is easy to think I should have the cane mastered by now! It easy to forget how difficult the walker was at first! For that matter even getting in and out of the wheelchair and remembering to lock the wheels was. Now it's second nature and I still use the wheelchair in the kitchen and on the computer. The same thing holds true for the many other "firsts" I have had! This includes, among other things, going outside the house, going into a store or a restaurant! These are all things I once did and never gave it a thought. Now they take...