givincare

Stroke Caregiver - female
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Everything posted by givincare

  1. Happy Anniversary givincare!

  2. Happy Anniversary givincare!

  3. One foot in front of the other. I've sat at this computer a good long time trying to think of what to say next, something that could comfort you. But I don't have the words I imagine you truley wish to hear. So here is what I'll say to you instead: You are not alone. Ray is never going to leave your side. When you ask for him,he will be with you. When you need his advise he will answer. Yes, we all have to go through this in some way or another. Its part of life and death. Knowing this doesn't make it any easier to go through, however. One foot in front of the other, Miss Sue. Thoughts and Love, Kristen
  4. You learn from life, I learn from you. Talk to you soon, Kristen
  5. Thanks so much Jeannie!! And a "heads up" about voting: A few folks have had some problems so: click on the link above; "connect" onto Facebook; click "like" if needed, THEN scroll down to the Braid recipe and "VOTE". If page doesn't refresh to show the current standings / who's in which place, then your vote didn't go through. Please try again....every day. THANKS!!
  6. Your family is always in my prayers, and I'll remind Patrick, too (you might have better luck through him, anyway. He has a much better relationship with God than me, I'm afraid). I have this urge to cook you both a batch of chicken soup and bring it on over. Wish it wouldn't take me 2 days and thousands of dollars to do it. Just wish I could comfort you and Ray, let you take it easy for a minute. Anyway, gotta run. Someone is pestering me LOL. Kristen
  7. Thanks Sue! Did you see the reduced calorie suggestions I posted? You could make this very low fat pretty easily. BTW- hope to see you in chat tomorrow- and I promise not to bring this up
  8. As some of you know I have been chosen as a Top 10 finalist in the Rotel Across America recipe contest. Thousands of recipes were entered and I was one of the lucky ones selected! I need votes in order to win the prize of $2000, all you have to do is be a member of Facebook and Vote Here! I would love your support- you can vote once a day through June 30th. I don't post often anymore, (mostly lurk these days) but I am longtime member and the caregiver to my husband, Patrick, who had a massive stroke in 2005. Here is the recipe for you, I hope you like it! Ro*tel Breakfast Braid 1 (13.8-ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust dough Cooking spray 3 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon water 1 (10-ounce) can RO*TEL Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles with juice 1 cup frozen Potatoes O'Brien-style hashbrowns 1 cup cooked chorizo sausage (drained well of grease) 1/2 cup shredded Mexican-style 4 cheese blend 1 large egg white, lightly beaten Preheat oven to 425°. Unroll dough onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; shape into a 15 x 10–inch rectangle. Lightly spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Add the 3 lightly beaten eggs and the tablespoon of water in the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 1 1/2 minutes or until set. Remove eggs from skillet and set aside in a medium bowl. In the same skillet, add the Potatoes O'Brien hashbrowns and the can of RO*TEL tomatoes including the juice. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-8 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and all the juice from the RO*TEL tomatoes has cooked off. Remove from heat and add to the eggs. Stir to combine. Spread the cooked chorizo lengthwise down center of dough, leaving about a 2 1/2-inch border on each side. Spoon egg, potato and RO*TEL mixture evenly over the sausage. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup cheese over egg, potato and Rotel mixture. Make 2-inch-long cuts about 1 inch apart on both sides of dough to within 1/2 inch of filling using a sharp knife. Gently pull strips over filling, alternating strips diagonally over filling. Pinch ends to seal. Brush the top of the braid with the egg white. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut crosswise into slices. Serve! Lower Fat/Calorie Substitution Ideas: *Substitute the Churizo with ground turkey sausage or lean diced ham. Rinse the ground sausage to remove excess fat. *Substitute the cheese with reduced fat or no fat cheese, or leave out the cheese altogether. *Substitute the eggs with eggs whites only (increase to 5 egg whites) or use an egg substitute. *Add your favorite veggies such as peppers, mushrooms, spinach, broccoli or whatever you have! *Cut the Braid into 8 servings and serve with fresh melon- YUM! How to vote: 1. Go to this link: http://www.rotelacrossamerica.com/recipes/rotel-breakfast-braid/ 2. Click on "connect to Facebook" 3. "LIKE" Ro*tel Tomatoes 4. Cast your vote! (You must have a Facebook account to vote, but don't have to "Friend" anyone one new, etc. If you can't vote, hope you still enjoy the recipe!)
  9. I am sorry you are going through so much. There is not much that can be said that can help ease your situation. I know you would rather have a "quiet, ordinary time where nothing much happens", but since that isn't possible right now, I'm glad the Lion's Club gave you a reason to smile. There isn't enough recognition in the world to equal what you truely deserve. Kristen
  10. Your hair looks really nice!
  11. We want pictures, please!!! The fall is my favorite time of year too, for the same reasons. I love the cool nights and being snuggled in bed. The only thing I dislike about fall is realizing summer is behind us for another year and winter is approaching. Winter is NOT mt favorite! I just try to get through it until summer is here again Kristen
  12. I hope you have a fabulous time! Kristen
  13. I am so glad you enjoyed your trip! Sounds like you took advantage of the chance to recharge your batteries. I am glad Ray enjoyed it as well- sounds like Chris was a terrific aid! I look forward to our next chat! Maybe some time we (not necessarily "caregiver chat") we could have a game night, and play silly name games, etc like we use to do a few years ago. That would be fun! Talk to you soon, Kristen
  14. Sue, I want you to know I cherish each and every time you "fly" into my home and life. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Kristen
  15. Pray for peace within yourself. Pray for the courage to never give up trying to improve. Pray that you will be able to celebrate every accomplishment you make, big or small. Pray you will still love yourself even when you think you have failed. These are the things we should all pray for, regardless if we have had a stroke or not. Life is a journey and it's never easy. Everyone's journey is unique and it is theirs alone. If you compare your journey to someone elses you are doing a disservice to yourself (the grass isn't always greener). Acceptance isn't about quitting or giving up. It's about saying "I am who I am, and I will always aspire to be better". Kristen
  16. You have been through a lot recently. If you were like me when the stroke first hit, you didn't have time to deal with your emotions. You were focused on getting your husband (and yourself) through this crisis. Now the immediate crisis has passed and those fears you pushed aside are surfacing. Do your best to deal with your fears, anger etc. and allow yourself TO BE HUMAN. No shame in that Take care, Kristen
  17. Sorry I havent been around (computer issues). I am very excited to read about Shirl, glad she will be so much closer soon. I hope you are also able to enjoy your time away! (got to go, want to post this before I lose the signal!) Miss chatting with you! Love you, too!!! Kristen
  18. I have a 17 year old boy...all I can say is, "I feel your pain"!!! Kristen
  19. I have been searching the site everyday to see if there was an update. I am so glad she pulled through the surgery oak! I hope the physio gets underway soon so she will be on her way to trucking down the halls once again! Sorry I couldn't be in chat yesterday to hear the good news! Kristen
  20. Your blog reminds me of the song Sunrise, Sunset "Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset Swiftly fly the years One season following another Laden with happiness and tears" Hope there is more happiness! Kristen
  21. Donna, That is so exciting!!! I hope you have a lot of fun and continued independence in your new chair! Ksrietn