merichsen

The quote is from Carl Bard, Fred. and Seneca said, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" No people Green Day didn't make it up, they stole it from Roman philosopher.

So the Water Pic was to get th stray chocolate chip cookie residue out of her teeth or your eye? just checking. Glad the date is set. Once it's over and done with will be a huge relief. Bear in mind many of us have been though craniotomies, myself included. While any kind of brain surgery is not exactly having an ingrown toe nail removed, those guys really know what they're doing. Only the best of the best have what it takes to become neurosurgeons. She'll be just fine and before you know it, it'll be over. Then you guys can get matching goggles and have an all out Water Pic fight til you flood the bathroom. Maria

Paws, Visiting and talking with friends here may begin to become a hobby of sorts, In doing so you'll begin to see what others do to cope with how stroke has altered their lives, and come to understand with some modification you guys can do most anything. Sue is a prime example. Before you know it you will be too, and looking back in amazement at how far you've come. Maria:friends:

Tony, I'm really sorry you're having such a hard time and in such a bad state. Have you spoken to the doctor about the possibility of medication to treat the depression? Please keep us posted on how you are doing, we care. Maria

Lenny, Thank you for sharing, that was absolutely beautiful. Both you and your wife are very very blessed to have each other. Each of you is truly a treasure and rare find. What an amazing gift to have found each other. Congratulations and may you have many many more years to enjoy life, love, your family, and happiness together. Love, Maria :friends:

Hi Barron, You are not alone! I had the flu, had gotten better, went back to my usual high speed type A routine. I then thought I was relapsing and ended up with an aneurysm and a craniotomy. It took a very long time to accept that I could no longer function at the level that I once had. What make it easier was learning to stop comparing myself to what I was once able to do and instead learn to applaude myself for what I could accomplish now. As time went on and I began to see although I may never be my former self I don't do so badly living up to the new expectations I've set for myself now. It may just take a little letting go and redefining, but there is hope, you'll be okay! Maria :friends:

Annie, That Kimmie is a smart one. Glad A Letter from Your Brain made an impact on you and helped you realize you need to go easier on yourself to give yourself a chance to heal. Blogging will be very therapeutic and will help you slow down to pace yourself and work through your feelings as you go through your recovery. We all want this nightmare to end, but since we can't make that happen. We do stuff like blogging and get to look forward to answers from our friends who care ~makes ya feel good and look forward to it....it's fun. Maria :mwah:

George, Life sounds great. Glad to hear you are enjoying it with much to keep you busy as always and look forward to. Maria

Tony, Boring may not exactly be the right word....pretty deep and intense seems more fitting, which btw usually makes a person a little more than 1 dimensional and interesting ~ not boring. Stroke does a job on self-esteem. In time you learn to appreciate the strength you had to survive and see how far you come as you progress. Ironically it makes up for what you lost and is then built on the less superficial. So you seem to be doing quite well when you say you have matured a bit more. Sorry you're having anxiety attacks and feel alone in the world. Remember we're always out here for you in cyberspace 24/7 so you're never alone. Maria

Yolie, Great shots of Taylor. She looks happy and safe. Looks like a great program with children she'll do well communicating with through her warm, sweet heart. So happy to see her in a place she'll be treated well and flourish. Great job! Maria:friends:

Sue, Sandwich must have just been for the birds lol cute story. Lucky you weren't hurt...the gulls at the beach here are downright vicious. Sorry you're feeling a little under the weather with a cold. It's great you have those who love you around to be there for you to help lighten the load a bit. Going with the flow is a tough concept, we'll have to see if Asha is willing to give us a crash course. Maria :friends:

Bruce, Having it taken care of will probably not be not a fraction as bad as you think in the end. It will surely be worth having it tended to and will certainly be worth the relief of not having to live with the potential danger it holds down the road. Do keep us posted. Maria:friends:

Fred, Thanks for sharing these interesting facts. Of all the one of greatest note is How incredibly blessed with an amazing mother you were to have been one of eighteen and have been raised to be the classy gentleman of such character that you are. Happy birthday my friend Maria :mwah:

Tammy, Great that you are staying positive, able to focus, and are able to appreciate and enjoy life despite the sweltering heat. Enjoy floating around and staying cool with your little one! Maria :friends:

Katrina, My heart would break for you as you shared your pain growing up trying to fit in with kids still too young to appreciate the strength and determination it took for you to never give up. It's truly a joy and brings tears to my eyes to see you in the adult world and comfortable and accepting of yourself for the amazing, intelligent, beautiful lady you grew up to be. Love, Maria :mwah:

Write what you like. Jabberjaw away that's what we're here for. We don't mind at all, we'll always be happy to listen. Tony, You can write about anything you like, just not anything that needs to be censored. Start at birth and tell us your life story if you like. You can throw something out there for discussion I you like. Just be aware that our policy does not allow discussions of politics or religion as they may often become heated and cause unrest to the community. You may want to peruse our guidelines so you are familiar with what is acceptable. http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules Any questions please email me at merichsen@strokenetwork.org

We're still in the same parental boat girlfriend and sinking fast. Marc was 18 today and I'm not taking this whole my baby's going to college in Aug. and is 18 too well either. I feel for ya babe...at least they're not getting married YET! Maria :mwah:

Tony, Congrats on the great financial news! Keep the positive thoughts and keep chugging along. We're all rooting for ya! Maria :friends:

Tony, Despite the fact that you talk about how depressed you are, what also comes through quite loudly is that you still look for the positives and seem determined to have an optimistic attitude. Unfortunately stroke does change our lives forever and coming to terms with that is extremely difficult. Nothing can take from you who you are, so it's not all for nothing. After my stroke I would say I used to be a teacher. My doctor corrected me like this: He asked if someone had taken my certification away and why I was no longer. I got the point and learned to say I am a teacher. If someone asks where, I answer I'm medically retired. No stroke can take from you what you've earned, achieved, and who you are so it's surely not for nothing. Life has just changed course and even though you may not be able to go back, nothing will stop you from going forward, and enjoying life as you learn about and reinvent yourself now. -As Asha said true- SSDI is retroactive. -Check with your doctor about a sleep-aide and anti depressants. Maria

Don't ya just hate it when that happens? After a few encounters with the poof gone in a flash fairy, I've learned to type it on word then copy and paste it here. That's so cool that you're going to meet Kimmie. I'd love to one day too...I fear she'd take a shot at me for all I do to drive her nuts. Have a fun, safe trip and give her a big smooch for me. Maria

Yolie, Taylor will surely be in my thoughts and prayers as she's faced with this unpleasant ordeal. Also of course for answers sought to bring her resolution to her seizure problems. Love, Maria:mwah: