azrabbit

That sounds like a lot of work! Way to go. I must have 500 CD's and I can't imagine what a job that was to load it all on your computer. You will have to post the web link when you get it all set up so we can all have a listen.

Bill, do you have any recourse against the person that caused your accident? Have you asked your speech therapist if there is a speech software you can try? At least that way you can work on your computer a little each day building your speech and vocabulary skills.

It is ok to get angry, sometimes fighting the system just wears you out. You should be proud of how much you are accomplishing yourself. You are doing all the right things.

That is great news. Denny is working hard on getting movement in his arm too. Seems like they have a lot in common. Hopefully he will come out to the next AZ get together.

He sounds like a sensitive young man. How neat that he cares about you enough to write a paper about what has made a huge change in your life.

Thanks for giving us all an education about the treatments. It is facinating and I love reading about your progress. Sending you all the energy we can as you work hard on recovery.

Sue, I am so glad you and Ray have good friends that care enough to spend time with you both! What a great day that must have been.

We love to watch the birds too. Winter in AZ is great for bird watching because we get so many migrating species. I have a feeder right outside my office window that Denny keeps filled. I have a cardinal couple that comes twice daily, gila woodpeckers, tons of gambel quail, doves, finches, cactus wrens and more. I'll have to post some in the gallery.

Thanks for posting such a neat story about the birds at your home.

Waht a nice story and a wonderful tribute to your Dad!

You go girl! After spending all afternoon working on corporate tax forms etc, I am SOOOOOO jealous.

Good to see you in such a good mood. It is almost like you are about to POP out of the screen.

OH I am so glad to see your post. Just yesterday I was going through the blogs and wondering if all was well in China. I hope you get over the cold quickly and then can get back on and post some good news!

We are so happy for Ray and for you, Sue. It is always great to read about the good things that happen in the lives of our friends here. Be safe driving. I think taking a friend along once in a while is a great idea.

Thanks for hosting such a fun chat last night!

Yumm! Fresh trout. Makes me want to load up the motorhome and go fishing.

Glad you got some action from the park.

Hi and welcome to blog world! I didn't have a stroke and raising my daughter through her teen years was very difficult. Yes, they have a way of making you think everything is your fault, after all like you said, we are the MOMS! I think I spent a big part of my daughter's 15th year in my closet telling myself, "This is not about me!" She is married now and expecting her first child. We have learned how to be friends again.

Stroke or not, it is hard to be a parent. I once told my daughter that I was sorry I wasn't the mother she expected, but since she was my first, I was learning as I go and a little slack on her part would go a long way.

Is there a stroke support group in your area? Maybe it would be good to see if there are other teenagers or children of stroke survivors? I bet they need someone to talk too also.

Keep coming to the site - we are hear to listen.

I have sometimes felt that young women coming up expect the right to move up the ladder and be successful. They don't realize the work and sacrifices that went into assuring equal pay for equal work.

I am currently reading a book (with a 2004 publish date) titled "Love, Money, Control - Reinventing Estate Planning," so I can be sure our estate is managed appropriately to take care of Denny should something happen to me before he dies. Imagine my SHOCK when I read the book and all of the instances and slant of the writing was how a HUSBAND can manage his estate. There was even a section on how to disinherit a wife!

I know the author and have worked with him on a few charity remainder trusts for a non profit with which I was associated. I couldn't believe my eyes reading this book.

So to your question, "Is the movement alive and well?" I don't think so! It appears we still have a great deal of work to do.

Sue - just to echo the thoughts above - you and Ray are in our thoughts and prayers.

E.

:console:

Hi Kim, Wow you sure have had a lot on your plate lately. I am sending you my good thoughts and prayers for a better week.

Jean has written some great things about finding your "new normal" after a stroke. It really helped me to focus on defining what I would accept as our "normal" after Denny's stroke a year ago. I think it is a continuing process, but know that things can get better.

Sue is right on when she suggests getting Chris back to the neurologist for the headaches. Has he been checked for a PFO (patent foramen ovale)? There is some evidence to suggest that it contributes to migraine headaches. Do a search on this site for more information since several here have posted about the relationship between the PFO, STROKE and headaches.

Hang in there and know that we are all thinking about you!

Que Bueno!

Thank you Bonnie. I will check it out!

Sue, We are praying for Ray AND for you.

That is a great idea Jean! I am going to look for a couple this weekend when we are out.

:Clap-Hands: We are cheering you on here in AZ Rich. We are discussing the treatment with my husband's acupuncturist and revisiting our finances for a future trip to China. PLEASE, PLEASE keep us posted on your treatments, travels and adventures. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers and send you as much positive energy as we can muster.

:Good-Luck:

I think the cost is really reasonable. Compare it to a three month inpatient stay at a rehab hospital in the US! Also, accupuncture alone with a skilled stroke accupuncturist costs $375 per treatment in Phoenix. I am excited for you Rich and looking forward to the blogs. PLUS - we will keep you in our thoughts and send you all the positive energy we can muster. Is it like the Kiev facility where you can have a family member or accompanying person stay with you?

My husband is going for accupunture here and the person treating him just returned from spending two weeks in a stroke center in China. He said for the treatments to be effective, you need to come in daily like in China, not the once a week treatments we have here.

Don't give up! My husband's progress was not constant. He would show great improvement, then level off, then improve, then level off. His doctor told us it was often like that for stroke survivors. He said to think of the plateaus as the body gearing up for the next big jump in recovery.

Bonnie - You are amazing! That is a lot of work for even a non-stroke survivor. I had to chuckle at the panties part. Today Denny was walking around and I saw something sticking out of the leg of his jeans. I walked over and grabbed it and it was his underwear. Some how in the dressing process, they got inside his jeans but not on his body! We both had a good giggle over that one.

Sleep well and pat yourself on the back for all that you have accomplished!

Sounds like you had a great day Annie. I understand that "caregiver look." I see photos of myself and I look 10 years older than I did last year at this time. AND, because our lives changed so dramatically after the stroke - we used to hike, bike, backpack, sail... - I have gained so much weight! I can't fit into any of my clothes and I refuse to buy the next bigger size.

I hope the rest of the weekend is wonderful for you.