dalene

I have been thinking about you as well as having you in my prayers. I know in my heart that you are going to get through this!! Keep up the positive attitude, as this, as stroke survivors know, is the key to success. Remember everyone is praying for you.

I have just passed my 2 year anniversary and was invited to go on a 3 day trip with some of my students and 2 other teachers. I was supposed to go 2 years ago, but my stroke came a week before we were supposed to go. I was very nervous as to whether i would be able to keep up with a group of high school students, but I DID IT!!!! We left at 9pm on Tuesday night and arrived in New York City at around 5am and had breakfast at a McDonalds. After that we boarded the bus and went to the Today Show ( some of our students made it on TV). We then went on a tour of NBC studios, saw the tree at Rockafeller Center and then to South Street Seaport for lunch, then shopping at China Town, and finally to the hotel to shower and get ready for dinner and to see Mary Poppins--it was wonderful--then finally back to the hotel at 11:30 to get some musc needed rest. The second day was unbelievable! We went to Central Park to see Strawberry Fields and the rest of the group walked down to see the lake. I decided to sit on a bench in the park and save some energy. We then got on the bus for the trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - what an amazing site. We then boarded the bus to go to lunch at the Empire State building. After a rest at lunch we then WALKED to Macy's and did some shopping, then got on the bus to got to dinner at Bubba Gumps. I then had to walk from Times Square 42nd St. to the theater at 50th st where we saw Alter Boys which is on off Broadway and a show that the kids really enjoyed. We then got on the bus to see the tree lighted at Rockafeller Center, it was gorgoeuos. Finally back to the hotel for bed. The final day we got up for breakfast and off to see the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall. We arrived home at 9:30 last night and I have to say I really missed my own bed. I have to say that I really didn't think I could do it. I found that I walked faster without my cane than with it. I wear an AFO and when I had my stroke, I had complete left-sided paralysis. I continue to do things that I never thought I would be able to do. So when someone tells you that you are not going to see any more improvements, don't listen to them it is up to you to keep working hard to get better.

Congatulations on returning to a job that you love. It is a big accomplishment and something hat you should be proud of. Best of luck as you move forward.

Ross and Family, You in in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest sympathy. Dalene

Well today is my 53rd birthday and I haven't written anything for a very long time. I also had another milestone today. After stroking on 11/20/05 and not working for the rest of the school year, I completed a full year of teaching Algebra II and Precalculus to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. for me it was quite an accomplishment. I began the year using a cane and put notes on an overhead projector. I ditched the cane in December and started using the blackboard after 2 weeks. My students were wonderful therapy on my road to acceptance, which has been a hot topic here lately. These days you always hear negative things about young people these days, but my students really helped me come to grips with my disability. I still walk very slowly and my knee still kicks back (not very pretty), but my students acted like there was not a thing wrong and treated me as if I were normal. As I sit here typing, I have tears in my eyes, because I will never be able to tell them how much they have done for me without crying. Like has been said many times we have to be thankful for all that we have, although we may not be our old selves, we can be better new selves. Never give up hope, I feel that I am getting a little better everyday.

I haven't written anything since October, but come to the site everyday to catch up with everyone. I have been working full time since August and am rather tired at the end of the day. I had my stroke in Nov 2005 and am still seeing progress. I recieved a new AFO in January and it really helps with my walking, athough, I am on my feet from 7:30 til 2:30 with breaks for lunch 1/2 hour and planning period 1 hr. I go to the fitness room 4 days a week and work on the weight machines and treadmill and continue to ride my exercise bike for 20 min every day. My left arm and hand have come back nicely and am seeing myself using more naturely daily. I am now in charge of cooking dinner ( big mistake) and kitchen cleanup, doing laundery, folding the clothes and putting clothes on hangers. I can also dust, but don't do floors or vaccum. I haven't yet ventured to the mall by myself, but can do discount stores because they have buggies. Yesterday, my husband let me drive 1 1/2 hours to pick up my son for spring break. All in all I am beginning to feel like myself again and have excepted my disabilities. I think this is in part because my students except they way I am and treat me as if there is nothing wrong. There are 3 students who go to lunch the same time as I do and I told them that my goal is to beat them down the steps. I have come close, but haven't done it yet. They comment almost everyday that I am getting close and when I do it I can set a new goal. I have also tried the walkaide, but haven't decided if I want to spend that much money. The doctor told me that I had foot drop and wouldn't get any better. That I don't believe. Since getting my new Afo, I am getting my heal to hit first for aabout 15 minutes after I take it off. I have also been using a stretch band on my foot to stretch my foot and leg muscles. I hope you all continue to make progess and continue to keep up with you all.

When I was first asked if I was coming back to teach, I told the principal that I would try, but I wasn't promising anything. He told me that I could leave early if I was tired or I could use the fitness room during my planning. I was also worried how my students would be and I was also a little emotional. I really think I made the best decision in the world. My leg is getting stronger every day, not only from standing for about 4 hours every day, but I am going to the fitness room 5 days. I need to find some exercises to keep my knee from buckling. My students for the most part are wonderful. They are helpful and very understanding. My former students have also come in to see how I am doing and tell me how happy they are to see me back at school. The emotional issues are getting easier to deal with because I feel more like myself before the stroke. I know and understand that I will never be that person again, but I am determined to work as hard as I can to get as good as I can be. After reading this I know why I don't write in my blog alot. I just seem to ramble, but it also helps to write my feelings down.

On Friday, I saw a guy that I used to work with 10 years ago who went on disability for his back. Well it seems that his disability was revoked and he has to sub 120 days in order to get his retirement. He asked me why I was working and that he didn't think I would have a problem getting a disability( I also have enough years to retire). I told him that I was working because I wanted to. The more that I thought about it, I am really working because I can. When I think back to amost 10 months ago, I couldn't take a shower by myself, had to get dressed with one hand, my left arm and hand wouldn't move, and couldn't walk more than a few steps without help, I decided that the real answer was that I was working because I could. I realized how far I have come, but I still have a long way to go. In my heart I know that I have made the right decision.

Well, my first week back to work went exceptionally well. Better than I could have ever imagined. I know now that I made the right decision. I thought that I would be exhausted, but the opposite was true. I had much more energy. It was the first time in along time that I felt like myself ( if that makes any sense). Friday after work my husband and I went out for dinner and then did a little shopping. Saturday we went to see my son play football at Muskingum College. He only got in for the last 4 minutes, but it was well worth the trip. I was a little nervous as to how I was going to get to the stadium as this was his first game since my stroke, because not being able to walk well without my cane could be a problem. We got to the stadium early and found a handicapped spot which included a short walk down a grassy hill to the top of the stadium. We were getting ready to walk down when a security officer asked our name and inquired if we had called and asked for the space. We told him no, but were in need of the space also. He said he could see that. Since we had a 4 wheel-drive SUV, we offered to give up the space if we could drive down the hill closer to the gate. The athletic director came and drove me to the gate while my husband moved the car. I have decided to write a letter or e-mail the president of the college and compaign to get steps from the parking lot to the gate. There are other gates, but none are really handicap friendly as the restrooms are at the top of the stadium closer to the gate we came in. By the way there was another gentleman who looked as if he had also had a stroke and was driven in the golf cart to get to the gate. The only problem was that no one really cared how we got home, as we were left to get to our cars on our own. Luckily, I was able to walk up the hill to get to the car. Sorry for all the rambling- It really was a GOOD WEEK!

Well today was the real deal. My day started at 6 am with a shower(finally- no water yesterday). I arrived at 7:10 and started to get ready for the day. Homeroom was from 7:30 - 8:10. I was to give out never-ending forms that have to be signed and the collected and give out locker combinations. I let some of my students pass out some of the papers - I usually do that myself. I walked around and gave each student their locker combination and then it was time to go try them out. As happens every year some of the combinations were wrong andso during the day, everyone was able to use thier locker-instead of my room. I could have made big bucks selling backpacks! Needless to say I made it through homeroom. Next was Algebra II, I passed out rules and some students passed out books. I went over all of the rules and my expectations for my students. I told them that I had had a stroke in Novermber, that it didn't affect my mind only my arm and leg-I just don't move as fast as I used to. I had planned on using an overhead projector for my notes, but I just couldn't stay away from the board. I like to ask the students questions as I do a problem and the overhead just isn't the same. I had another Algebra II and a PreCalculus class and I felt that all went very well for the first day. I thought my students were very understanding and helpful. I came home about 1pm and had lunch and just finished doing my exercises. Tomorrow I am going to try to stay the entire day and go to the fitness room.

Well I decided that I would go back to work and today was my first day. I was awakened by a phone call from my neighbor, who I also teaches with me, informing my husband that there was no water. Is this an omen or what! I made the best of it by washing my face and brushing my teeth with bottled water. I told my husband that if anybody told me thst I looked good, I was going to tell them that they were lying and why--my hair was a mess. I parked in the back of the building by my room and slowly made my way downstairs to the general meeting( I use a cane when I go long distances and in my room will go w/o). I was welcomed back by the principal and got a round of applause from the staff. It really made me feel wonderful. The meeting started at 8:30 until about 10. Then walked back to my room to get ready for tomorrow. I worked in my room til about 1:30, then changed clothes and went to do my exercises in the fitness room with a fellow teacher. Got home around 3 and still have a few things to do for tomorrow. All in all it was a good day, but I'm sure I will sleep good tonite.

On Tuesday my son wanted to do his back to school shopping as he leaves Saturday for his sophomore year of college. I didn't know if I was up for the challenge as he needed many things including a new TV. Our first stop was Walmart. I walked in and got behind a buggie as it makes it easier for me to walk. I decides that thi was going to be a no wheelchair day. We bought the toiletries and new underwear and then went for the new TV. After getting it in the cart, I pushed it to the register--Big Accomplishment. This leg of our journey lasted about 45 min. It was in the car and of to a stop at Steve and Barry's for jeans and t-shirts. I stayed in the car to rest up for Penney's while my son gets his hair cut. Got to Penny's and did some damage while Chris got his hair cut and he then decided to go hat shopping. I walked around shopping for another hour!!!! It was then time to eat and we went to Red Lobster for a delicious dinner of shrimp. We were then off to Value City for a few more purchases-about an hour and we finally made our way home. I love to shop and this trip gave me such confidence that I am really making some progress in building up my stamina! What aboost. Needless to say, agood day was had by all!!!!