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About this blog

Highlights of simple things observed that were taken for granted pre stroke

Entries in this blog

3 years and my daughter still doesn't understand

My youngest daughter is moving into an apartment she sent me a text asked me if in my travels I could keep an eye out for the table for her cheap something like $20 I know what that means she wants me to hit the second hand stores to see if I can find a table for her and of course purchases it also with the 9 or 10 second hand stores in and around the area traveling by bus it would take me a solid two days to go to all of them get there and then wait for the next bus. if she made a similar reque
Jayallen

Jayallen

11

Wow humbled,blessed,and amazed

Yesterday the volunteer organization at the hospital decided to pay for my bus pass for the next 3 months wow it's not a lot of money but when you have no money it's huge. Today when I stop for my morning coffee I threw my couple dollars and exact change on the counter and the barista said wait wait wait I thought maybe the prices gone up and he said nope I've got a note here that somebody's paid for your coffee for the next 5 days I truly do get by with a Little Help from My Friends. My last
Jayallen

Jayallen

10

War of attrition, over and I won

I received a call from a worker at local SSA office.   My disability is APPROVED.   Only 3 year. Now I can get on with my life. Happier dance. I would like to kick my heels but I know I would end up falling not worth trying.   Now I can breathe.
Jayallen

Jayallen

8

embarassing moments (mild but still embarassing)

This morning I stopped for a doughnut at a local bakery, An Acquaintance came out from the kitchen to say hello; he stood to my left side, directly in my blind area, I finally turned my head and noticed his hand in the air for a high five, I couldn't see it until I turned my head. not a major deal but still a bit embarrassing.   Later crossing a parking lot to see my attorney, I walked into a parked car, again in the left side where I have major vision issues. At least it was parked no harm
Jayallen

Jayallen

8

Non survivors really don’t get it, do they?

A relative was over last night She lectured me about “letting go of my label Stroke survivor” “that’s behind you now, time to move on” As you know our recovery is a lifelong process, unlike a broken bone that physically heals in a matter of minutes compared to our life long healing. It’s so much more than just physical healing; not that it is easy by any means. The mental and emotional struggles are challenging to articulate. I work hard every day to be positive, I fight off the despair th
Jayallen

Jayallen

7

isolation

With this pandemic, I'm doing  my part,  I'm staying home. I can no longer volunteer at the hospital, the local gyms are closed and the public libraries closed, all, until further notice.  I miss being out socializing with others.  I really miss volunteering. I miss my post stroke "new normal". I guess I need to create another "new Normal, with new daily and weekly routines.  I managed after my stroke in comparison this is a minor inconvenience. I can still share with all of
Jayallen

Jayallen

6

A new holiday tradition

I have always made peanut brittle. As Christmas presents. I use a multigenerational recipe. Three years ago i had my stroke the weekend i had planned to make it. Since then when i want to make my brittle i have to arrange for adult supervision . Last year my sister inlaw agreed. This year decided. It is a new tradition for us. We have fun. I am so blessed.
Jayallen

Jayallen

6

I can't remember

I keep forgetting that I have really bad memory in other words I don't remember that I don't remember. I try that utilizes list a lot unfortunately I was at the library today and I had failed to record a list of things I wanted to get done so I did not accomplish what I set out to do. I had to return to the library to print off a two documents that needed when I was done I've managed to leave my flash drive in the pubic computer at the library   thankfully I call the library in a nice yo
Jayallen

Jayallen

6

A small victory but a victory just the same

One of my biggest challenges has been reading with my visual impairment I lose words on the left side of the page have a hard time transitioning from the end of one sentence to another and sometimes I miss letters in a word and think it's the wrong word or a different word which lies whole new meaning to the sentence Diana pointing back and reread things a lot this morning I I decided to pick up the book I've been trying to read for the last month and since before my stroke so it is a victory th
Jayallen

Jayallen

6

What if this is as good as it gets

As I was riding the bus yesterday to town to meet up with some friends to have coffee just before going to the hospital to do my volunteer work for a brief nanosecond thought of dread crossed my mind what if this is as good as it gets and my response to myself was I'm pretty damn fortunate I am able to inspire people on this site I'm able to do my writing and I'm able to connect with new stroke survivors and hopefully offer them support and encouragement and the knowledge that they are not alon
Jayallen

Jayallen

6

Short term memory gaff LEDs to fondd memories of a by gone era

Oops forgot on Saturdays the buses run on a reduced schedule. I find myself waiting for a bus in front of the DQ, so I decide to get a chocolate malt. That sweet taste take me back 45 years to a hot July day sitting in the shade in front of the malt shop in my home town, when life was simpler how joyous to be taken back to that time in my life I always manage to find the hoy in every day How sweet to go back 4 plus decades with just the taste of a good chocolate malt.   Peace,love,joy pra
Jayallen

Jayallen

6

Let's make the world a better place one person at a time

While updating my blog and drinking my coffee this morning, I heard a young lady say I try to perform one random act of kindness daily I turned around and said that's so beautiful I live my life that way too she said I try to get up every morning and tell myself to be nice to everyone and everything I encounter I said that's really cool as she was getting ready to leave with her coffee to go. I said one of my life goals is to make the world a better place one person at a time; turned around sit
Jayallen

Jayallen

6

Minor frustrations and bumbling experience

A small town in a neighboring county is having a folk music fest this weekend No one in my family wants to go so I tried the bus system and the northern county system doesn't run on Saturdays. I humbled my self and emailed an aquainences who just moved to the area and asked if he would be interested in going,( AKA drive me there and back) I hate to putpeople out but without driving and nobuses what are the options? I really want to go but I don't think hitchhiking is a good idea.   Peace،
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

Oops posting and missed the bus

Distracted while writing my last post I missed the bus to get to my dentist appointment. Called my daughter and her 4 year old answered too funny I asked who is this and gave his first, 2 middle names and his last name with attitude sort of with a duh. Had to laugh bit he did get his mother right away, she's giving me a ride not to anything fun but a dentist appointment at least I'll make it there. Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

Road crossing rage

You no doubt have heard of and maybe experienced road rage. I experienced road crossing rage just a few minutes ago. I waited for the sign to show it was safe to cross the road, as I'm sure you have experienced, I walk a little slow post stroke not wanting to rush and lose my balance. Well this car began to turn left from the cross street promptly stopped because I was half way across the street, then she gunned the gas to cut in front of me and gave me a dirty look because I was moving so sl
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

More Memory issues

Pre stroke I kept everything in my head, I could recall almost everything. Can't do that now. When I think of something I need to do I do it right then or put it on my phone as a reminder.   The other day I picked up a copy of the summer tax bill. My wife told me to put it in a specific location, I failed that test. When I told her where it was she said I told you to put it XYZ. Then the conversation switched to something else, you guessed it I forgot again, as I walked past the place I wa
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

Odd man out?!

This is sometbinv i wrote today and I send all of you because you all mean so much to me   Odd man out Shared words Shared emotions fears joys frustrations celebrations support and inspirations Shared life altering experience All different yet all the same just as well. A kunship founded in words A bond that will not break A gut level instinctual fondness Of so .any hat I have never met and likely never will! I wear my heart on my sleeve I bare my inner being to you my FRIENDS.
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

Another day of amazement

It started with the white-capped waves washing up on the beach beautiful son with a North Wind Mother Nature's natural air-conditioning in full gear dropping the temperature 10 to 15 degrees so humbled and blessed to be here to witness that. No bus service on Sunday is really struggling with Sundays we all can recall those days. I secured a ride to the hospital from a friend or family member and I'm so glad I did the smile on my friend's face when I walked into her room on a Sunday afternoon i
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

Thoughts and prayers requested

I went to the hospital today to meet up with my former coworker and recent stroke survivor with my iPad to get her onto the stroke Network cuz I know it would benefit her when I got there she was tied up with therapy so I decided to have my lunch first when I got back up to the rehab floor I overheard one of the nurses say she's being transferred to ICU right now together we can make a difference   Be blessed and be a blessing   Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

Minor mission failure

I fired up the charcoal grill this afternoon. I decided since my daughter left a box of hamburgerpatties I would grill dinner and do a few extras so we would have them later if wanted or needed. Well you may have guessed, I did great on the first 4, I forgot about the last two, they aren't even chared leather they burned to ashes. Darn, I hate it when that happens. Must laugh about this one. Peace, love joy and prayers, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

An amazing weekend

Super busy doing the family thing having loads of fun I'll update tomorrow I miss my blog and all of your comments Peace love and prayers Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

Legal blindness

After seeing the opthalmologist I asked today if there is any chance therapy might help he said at this point 19 months post stroke the nerve damage is permanant Just another pot hole on NY journey Peace prayers and positive vibes to all Hay
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

Spring showers

While making my coffee this morning I heard the patter if rain drops with an early morning rain I opened the window I love the fresh smell in the air as the rain begins to fall What a blessing to be here to witness such a beautiful event I think I want to go for a walk Peace and prayers to all Jay Not even a moderate rain can stop the birds from singing
Jayallen

Jayallen

5