Robyn

Stroke Caregiver - female
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    416
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About Robyn

  • Birthday 03/16/1963

Shared Information

  • Facebook URL
    http://
  • Interests
    Yoga, Pilates, MY KIDS, camping, ANYTHING having to do with the water!

Registration Information

  • State
    Illinois

Robyn's Achievements

Associate Mentor

Associate Mentor (5/10)

  1. Happy Anniversary Robyn!

  2. Happy Anniversary Robyn!

  3. Happy Anniversary Robyn!

  4. Robyn

    Thoughts and Prayers...

    Thanks Anna...your and others prayers were well answered as the good news is he may likely get discharged tomorrow and says he is feeling MUCH better! Shauna is relieved...!! Thanks everyone!
  5. Robyn

    Thoughts and Prayers...

    Thanks everyone...I hope to hear more today.
  6. Robyn

    Thoughts and Prayers...

    Thanks Bill...much appreciated!
  7. Shauna's grandfather is in the hospital with pneumonia. He's older...91...lived a good long life, but he's in Texas and she's here and I know she's hurting because she wants to be with him. Shauna was severely abused as a child from her mother, father and brother. At one point her mother shoved a loaded pistol in her face. Mom has a mental illness but unfortunately won't get diagnosed, won't take meds and is very narcissistic and manipulative. No one has ever seriously called her to task. Shauna hasn't spoken with them -- except once -- in 22 years. Through therapy and the love of her grandparents, she has survived and become an incredibly strong and successful person who donates her time to work with abused children. Her grandparents saved her soul in so many ways and now that he's sick its hitting her very hard. I try to imagine what she has lived with...what she went through as a child and it is BEYOND my comprehension. She tells me stories and I just shudder at the thought. I know it will be incredibly difficult for her to deal with his death...he means the world to her and is really her only biological family left that she is close with, except her niece (brother's daughter) with whom she is close (the niece does not live with her father, thankfully, but has experienced similar abuse as Shauna experienced). When he goes, I know she will feel very alone. I don't think this is the end for him but at 91, yeah...it's close. I hope I can be a support and comfort for her as she goes through this experience... If you have a spare prayer or thought, please send it his way!!
  8. Having kids keeps you hopping but it is really nice now to have a girlfriend/partner who will actively take the kids and do things with them and take the single-parent burden off my back. Especially since their dad has become more useless in that arena. I had a few SERIOUS issues last week and contacted him about them and heard NOTHING in return...NOTHING. I was *beep* yet at the same time, if he tries to argue he should have the kids for full time custody, EVER, I have fuel... And Shauna won't let me forget... In comparison to Jane, Shauna is very engaged with the kids and isn't afraid to be engaged. Jane didn't want to be alone with them. Couldn't handle even that aspect of "step" parenting. Even her sisters and brother used to comment on that. She was an inherently selfish person in so many ways and the issues with the kids were one great example. So many times she said to me "This is the reason why I never wanted kids" when the kids acted out or had issues. She'd say "I didn't want to give up my career." Strangely, you'd think I would've left her over that...and I certainly considered it and brought that up with her...I had said to her "WHY are you in a relationship with someone with kids then??" And she gave some sort of nice nice response that seemed to quell my doubts temporarily...but she seemed sincere...seemed I guess is the operative word, eh?!! You have to understand this is among the many reasons why I believe her post-stroke behavior is really more reflective of her real feelings than a function of the stroke. Yes, I believe the stroke contributed, and I can't imagine what she was feeling in those days post-stroke, but I know her enough to know the post stroke behaviors were the "real Jane" coming out. This is why I felt lied to for so long before the stroke. Anyway...enough of that...that wasn't the point of my blogging today! It is just a poignant observation on my part because today was one of those marathon days...up at 7:30am...Sam to gymnastics at 9:15...Margaret to violin by 10:15...Then Sam to soccer at 11:00 and Margaret to soccer at 11:30am... Shauna did work at home then met us at the soccer field where she coached Margaret's soccer team to a victory! :cheer: :Clap-Hands: Then she went off to Lowe's with Margaret for a project they are working on. She's just ready, willing, and able to step in and be a part of their lives. Sam called her "his other mommy" the other day and she nearly melted at the thought of it... How lucky for me and the kids that she loves to be a part of their lives like that. And so goes parenthood!! I'm looking forward to a slightly more peaceful spring break where the kids are with their dad for the week...no violin, no swimming, no gymnastics or soccer... Just some mommy time to nurture herself!
  9. Robyn

    Just a quick check-in...

    YUP...that's where I got the idea for the dog name...from the song... "la la la la LOLA!!!" My son loves her too...he needed a dog in his life!
  10. Robyn

    Just a quick check-in...

    OK...I'll keep looking for it. Maybe now with the spring thaw it will shine through!!! It's been almost a year since the house went on the market...I hope someone has an interest in it soon! My new girlfriend has a dog named Lola...she's adorable...I love having a dog around again!
  11. Robyn

    Just a quick check-in...

    Scooterman...I didn't realize you were the same person!!! Thanks my friend...it was great to get the message!!! It certainly brought me back for a check-in. I will definitely comment on the final four and father of Nicole's kid!!! Bill...how's Bud??? How are you??? My house STILL hasn't sold...did you send your mojo my way???!! Boy do I miss you guys!!!! :hug:
  12. Robyn

    Just a quick check-in...

    Thanks Phyllis...YES, it was my birthday...March 16th. I turned 44! It was great and I was spoiled rotten by my girlfriend...I enjoyed EVERY minute of it! So what happened...you can PM me or email me!! Fill me in! Yes, my parents still live in the W sector! They hate it there and want to move back north in a few years...closer to the grandchildren! We'll see what happens. I had hoped to get down there for a conference in February but it didn't happen. I'm submitting something for an October conference in Ft. Lauderdale...maybe I'll get down there in the fall. I'm not great musically either...love it but I'm not good at it. I'd rather just listen, you know?!! :roflmao: It's all good...I'm enjoying life and I'm so glad to still be a part of this family!!!
  13. Robyn

    Just a quick check-in...

    Thanks Bonnie! And keep those emails coming! They really brighten my day!!!
  14. Robyn

    Just a quick check-in...

    Thanks Donna...I appreciate your kind words! Life is a wonderful journey...isn't it?!!
  15. Robyn

    Just a quick check-in...

    EXACTLY! I do try to look on the bright side and also look at the lesson to learn from each experience. I learned amazing things about myself and about what was important to me. I left my heart open, and my new friend Shauna walked in! I'm so blessed!! There is something of value in each and every experience we have...good or not so good...the trick is to have an open heart to find the lesson and allow it to enrich your life! That's not to say it won't hurt and be ugly at times...and it may look like there is no end in sight, HOWEVER, it is there...we just have to be patient. I hope Jane heals and I hope she can return to the life she wants...I hope one day she understands what she threw away...