dusti22

Hi Strokewife... you need to be a writer. Beautifully written. I can relate to what you are going through. I am not only a stroke survivor (12 and still counting), but a caregiver to my honey of almost 30 years. He had his strokes, in 2005, in quick succession having one in June of that year and the second that July 4th weekend. When tested he was at an age 3 level but has progressed over the years to late teens. Seeing both sides, I understand what you are going through. From your writing your husband is sharing very special times with you. My honey has done that with me since his strokes, as have I. We both have a tendency to do the "I remember when...." recollections and I wouldn't trade him or those times. Both of us are helping each other to climb our mountains. I am lucky that my highest mountains to climb came in 1980 and 1982 when I had major strokes...the tia's that I have had since are more like hills rather than mountains to conquer. This has allowed me to be able to work with him on his recovery. We both relive our yesteryears and it is almost like moving through a personal movie at times. Sometimes something will bring the memory to surface such as a word or a food or other things and we can sit and talk for hours about those days. And we both enjoy it though one day it may be honey reliving memories and me the next day. For those who are caregivers and have not been through a stroke it makes it harder, both emotionally and physically, on the person who is the caregiver. Your husbands calming factor is his music which brings back memories. My honey's is the news, Facebook and our puppies. Mine is my art, my honey and our puppies. My art has been my lifeline and sanity saver. Thank heaven that I have not lost the ability to do my paintings though my last stroke did cause some lasting damage in other areas. I wonder if the music is the same for your husband. Sorry for rambling... hope I made sense. Shannon

Hi, I have not been on much but read you post and just had to put my "two cents" in. Hang in there! Sounds like things are improving. I am sorry to hear of your heart difficulties. My honey who is a stoke survior had a quad bypass, is diabetic and just had his 4th defibulator implanted and is doing great. (he is 61). He was one of the first people to get a defibulator in our are and back then it was a major deal with several days in the hospital. Now it is a day surgery. He had his surgery at 830a and was home before noon. He has been able to move around and do light activity. It has actually saved his life a couple of times. The last defibulator that he had lasted 8 years before the battery died and he had to have a new one. Sounds like your new "fur baby" Molly is wonderful. We have two big "fur babies" that weigh 70 and 90 lbs and are lab mixes. They have been amazing and are a major part of our family. It takes time after having a stroke and especially if there are other medical issues going on. I know this first hand as I am a stroke survivor too (6) as well as being a caregiver to my honey of 25 years. It sounds like you are on the mend. Hang in there and don't give up.

Hi Lenny! Don't let the thought of cataract surgery scare you. I like fking had both of my eyes done and I was 60 when I got mine. Please don't wait like I did until you go blind with them. I did not wait by choice but when I went to my optomitrist he told me the prior Jan that I had the start of cataracts by that Sept I was going blind and by Dec was blind. That is scary. The surgery itself is the easiest surgery I have ever had with no pain. I use the "cheaters" to for closeup, but do not wear glasses for distance. Wouldn't trade my surgeries. It has now been two years since I went blind and 17 months since I had my surgery. Wouldn't trade for it as I am now back to painting (on the computer) my animal portraits and animal illustrations and able to take care of my honey of 25 years who is also a stroke survivor. If glaucoma is involved they will give you drops ( I am under glaucoma watch but not diagnosed as yet). By the way I was told that age has nothing to do with it. Any age can get cataracts. I was told I had young person's cataracts. Please keep us posted and let us know how everything is going.

Hi fking! Mine are 2.50 for reading and 1.50 for the computer. I know what you mean. When I priced mine (though I couldn't afford it), if I didn't have the high end lens - where you don't have to have glasses to read- it was going to run 10K for both eyes. As I didn't have insurance or any money (still don't) an agency here in Texas stepped in to help me and paid for my surgeries along with the related care and cab fare to get back and forth. They were angels of mercy. Otherwise I would still be blind and would not have been able to type this even with a magnifier. By the time I had my surgeries, I could only recognize people by voice and see shapes vaguely. Now I am back to working on animal portraits and animal paintings and should a job open up in my field...go back to work again. I definitely would recommend that if a person's sight is diminishing due to cataracts to have the surgery. If people don't have the money or insurance, they need to check with the agencies for the blind or rehabilitative in thier state to see if they can help.

So glad you had your cataract surgery! I am 61 and went totally blind in both eyes at age 59 from cataracts. The company I was working for (insurance) as a temp made changes on my computer and allowed me to use a very, very strong magnifying glass to read files and paperwork and allowed me to work (still don't know how I did that). As an artist though I was not able to draw, paint and I could not drive. An organization here in Texas help me as I had no insurance and no money being full support for my honey and myself and my sight was restored a year ago this month. I now only have to wear otc glasses for reading and computer. Ask your doctor that did the surgery, what strength otc glasses you will need for computer and reading and he/she will tell you. Mine did, that way I got the proper strength. I keep a pair in my purse, two on my desk at home and one pair in the bedroom and living room, Cataract surgery is such a blessing and it opens up a whole new world. I am so glad you did not wait until you went blind with them like I did. I have problems with dry eye so use regular eye drops once or twice a day in mine.