Deigh

Keli, that is a remarkable description of the situation you find yourself in. What is most remarkable is that you can recall it and describe everything so accurately! I am fortunate that nothing like that is present in my life. In my early stroke days I took my wife into the doctor's surgery so she could translate for me. Nowadays it is still important to have her close in case I get out of depth with explanations when visiting bank staff and government departments but mostly I can cope on my own! Deigh

Paul, As an idea, can I suggest you print out all the correspondence this conversation has created and put in a file. If the crunch comes you can get her to read the contents to show how much effort you have put in to try to solve the problem. You are obviously working towards recovery but it must be at your pace. In my opinion attempts by outsiders to speed up this process are doomed to failure. Deigh

Paul, As Heather says you have good computer and typing skills and you may be able to use them in this situation. If I have something I desperately need to communicate I use the computer to write it down using one of the many writing progs available. Then I can either practice reading it till it becomes easier to say or as a last resort invite the intended recipient to read it. I must admit I have very rarely had to fall back on this method, after three years I have much better control over what I want to say. Although this can fall apart if I am stressed or under pressure! Deigh

Although not with the severity of handicaps you are having to handle, I have similar problems with short term memory and having got to a serious stage of guitar capability where I could drop in and play alongside anyone whether they played Dance band, Country, Pop or Jazz. Now I am struggling to just make a decent sound. Like you I have to remind myself that there are many other survivors who cannot even get out of wheelchair. This does not really make me feel any better but it does put things into perspective. Deigh

Tracy, thanks for comments. Yes, the games are certainly highlights of our activities. That story is not ended yet though........After that game she had a run of bad luck and I won the next game also with four seven letter words, but I went one better and finished the game with my last one! Colossal victory! Deigh

We are trying hard to keep our brains active. We do the Guardian (U.K. Newspaper) crossword between us. It lasts a week and we seldom complete it. Playing scrabble is a pleasant break from watching TV. I have just started going to an Ukelele club to challenge my musical skills. I'm in my 90th year and my wife in her 80th year (Cradle snatching by me). So keeping both the body and brain working is essential. Thanks for mail. Deigh

Yesl there is a box there but it doesn't work! Deigh

Had another go this morning at 9am NZ ,this should tie up with your EST 4-5. Got as far as joining in but screen was blocked with an instruction in etiquette and couldn't get past it! Deigh

Just to continue with the 'LUCK' theme, I had a short burst of winning games and was the victor for five of them before her luck struck again and shoved me off the motorway. In that last game she played four (Yes, I say again FOUR) seven letter words. That must be a world record. Deigh

Double D, welcome to the site, going back to work will be ideal treatment for your aphasia, lots of opportunity for conversation will really make those face muscles work. After four years of struggling to make myself understood I had a great compliment payed to me after a computer problem sorting session with a local librarian who has known me from the beginning, She said that my speaking had improved. Now, this is excellent because it was unsolicited, asking friends and relatives whether I've improved is unsatisfactory because their reply is automatically favourable. Regards Deigh

I just had a look at the Sculptureum site, Didn't even know it existed and that is a part of the country I used to visit frequently as a campervanner. Marvellous, thanks for introduction, will add it to my bucket list. Deigh

That would be too hot for me! Our flat has mesh screen doors front and back as well as proper wooden doors. In previous years we would occasionally have both wooden doors open to allow a draught through. This year that is the normal daily set up and at this time we are even keeping them open overnight! Deigh

Aha, cheating is allowed between us, we are allowed to use an electronic dictionary to sort out anagrams! How is the heat getting to you? Got to 33 degrees in my den this after. Too hot for comfort and am using a water cooler fan to help keep it down! Deigh

Yes, this is what happens every time I try to enter the chat. My computer did say once that it was not equipped for chat, but I had used it once before in a chat forum and got away with it. Will have another try tomorrow. Deigh

Thanks Madade, I can't explain the oversized font, I wrote it using another program and used cut and paste to get onto the forum. I went back trying to correct the fault but failed. It rather looks as though I was shouting it! We don't take it too seriously usually but in one session when I was being utterly thrashed and just couldn't draw anything but vowels I exploded in anger, played the stroke card and refused to finish the game! I had never done this before and hope to not do it ever again. Deigh