AZ Leah

Stroke Survivor - female
  • Posts

    466
  • Joined

  • Last visited

About AZ Leah

  • Birthday 08/19/1943

Contact Methods

  • Stroke Network Email
    Yes

Shared Information

  • Stroke Anniversary (first stroke)
    05-19-2006
  • Stroke Anniversary (second stroke)
    06-07-2006
  • Interests
    Reading, talking with my sisters, looking at computer site, playing games on my smartphone (I love jigsaw puzzles), and looking at hundreds of photos of years gone by. I live one day at a time.
  • How did you find us?
    Google Search

Registration Information

  • First Name
    Leah
  • State
    AZ

Recent Profile Visitors

16,763 profile views

AZ Leah's Achievements

Associate Mentor

Associate Mentor (5/10)

  1. thank you to those to have responded to my input. I will try to get into a chat soon and, Asha, it's good to hear you have advanced to host some chat meetings. My schedule has been sporadic (I'm sure I'm not the only one!), as I also have chronic fatigue so have to nap in the afternoon and then get up for dinner. As you all know it takes twice as long to do anything than would if a normal person, so it's always about l 1/2 hour to eat, and then look at internet email and some backlog paperwork I have. I must say I was very glad to get my tax preparation docs to my CPA; it took forever this year. I have also had to change landscapers and it took a while to find one. I also have to change my cleaning girl; I found out last week that she does not believe in the vaccine or will she wear a mask - so out she went. I have an appt tomorrow with one outfit and I'm waiting for another lady to call me back. Yes, Asha, you were correct, I miss Jerry tremendously, not only for his emotional support and love but also I have had to pick up chores that he used to do. I do have a caregiver but there is a limit to what she does. Well, it's bed time for me, so I'll meet you all at some other time and nice meeting you Heather. Cherio, Leah
  2. I think a few of you may remember me. I used to blog, chat and go into the forums very frequently. I had my stroke in 2006 and after a LOT of rehab, ertc. I progressed so I could walk with a cane, altho with a limp to left leg, and I even could drive for a few years. Then everything came crashing down when my husband of 27 years was diagnosed in July 2011 of stage 4 lung cancer and he died 3 1/2 months later. At the same time, I took another bad fall, was in the hospital, diagnosed damage to my spine, and then put in a brace from under my breasts to my hips for 6 months. Surgery wasn't an option due to my stroke, prolonged hospital stay, and all the complications. So after the brace was off, I tried to get back to exercise but it was just too much for me to handle along with the grief of my husband's death. I heard voices in my head from some of you saying, whatever happens, don't quit exercising. Well, I did. So I have been on pain medication ever since altho' the dr. doesn't give me much (3 pills/day) so I just tough it out. I wanted to check in but it is now time for my afternoon nap, so I gotta run. I see some of you on Facebook but I wanted to get back where I really belong, as you guys and gals are the only ones who really understand. I see that some of the format has changed since I was last here so I hope I am entering this in an okay place. I'll try to come on regularly and even try some chat some time. Welcome back to me Leah (AZ Leah)
  3. Kelli - I got in okay with taking out the _ in my user name, so thank you.  I don't have time to blog right now; time for a quick nap, but at least I know I can get in.  Thanks again. til later, Leah

    1. ksmith

      ksmith

      I'm so happy 🙂

  4. Happy Anniversary AZ Leah!

  5. Asha~ I always find your blogs uplifting. I've been in the dumps lately and know I would feel better if I blogged but I haven't made myself do it yet. God will only help you if you help yourself, right? I have been readying spiritual books every day so hopefully something will touch my Spirit to get going! Leah
  6. Happy Birthday AZ Leah!

  7. this is a great discussion topic. I am constantly being challenged by change - the latest of which was the worse, the death of my husband 4 years ago. I am still in an upside down mode and am waiting with patience for the Lord to tell me my next move. Leah
  8. Happy Anniversary AZ Leah!

  9. I'm so happy for you. My husband and I went to Italy (a dream of mine) before my stroke. I would not have been able to handle it after my stroke. And of course, Jerry passed away in 2011 so I am grateful he agreed to go. We had an awesome time and met lots of wonderful people. In fact one of the couples who was on our tour from CT (I'm in AZ) we hooked up with and toured Glacier National Park in Canada; had a wonderful time. I'm still in touch with her by email. As you know I haven't blogged in a while or been in chat. It seems as though when Jerry died, my whole world turned upside down and I can't right it. Maybe some day God will give me what I need to get my life right again. Fondly, Leah
  10. Happy Anniversary AZ Leah!

  11. Happy Birthday AZ Leah!

  12. AZ Leah

    we are back

    Happy Anniversary Asha. I love cruises also and am so grateful my honey and I went on several before my stroke. And yes the water is so calm and soothing. I have many photos I can reflect on I never learned how to surf...too old; don't miss it at all. Leah
  13. HAPPY NEW YEAR STAY SAFE AND MAKE STROKE RECOVERY A PRIORITY IN 2014 SO WE CAN ALL HAVE BETTER LIVES. BE HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SPIRITUAL. love you all, LEAH :friends: :cocktail: :happydance: :Clap-Hands: :Dance: :Jammin: :cheer: :music_band:
  14. BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER I WANT TO ADD MY WISHES OF A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE HERE ON STOKEBOARD.NET. MAY THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH AS THE NEW YEAR TURNS. I PRAY EVERYONE IS SAFE AND YOU HAVE HEAT, WATER AND NO ICE ON YOUR TREES LIKE SOME OF MY RELATIVES IN MICHIGAN. For a change I am happy in Arizona with the low 60's and nights in the low 40's and I have heat, water and no ice, although some of the city does have some ice on the windshields in the mornings. Reminds me of days gone by. For 2014 I plan to continue working out to get stronger. No telling what will happen. Of course, I'm sure the good Lord know. Happy Birthday Jesus. Fondly, Leah
  15. Time to get back on the horse I fell off. I ended up going into HealthSouth rehab to jump back into physical therapy. I cannot say it helped too much except to point out to me how far I had fallen off the horse. They used e-stim on my left leg but I think you need a lot of zaps for it to do much good. Because I went in on a Friday and they don’t do much over the weekend, I only had 7 days of therapy and some was occupational and speech which I felt I didn’t need. My gait isn’t much different; I came home last Wednesday. Most of the PT was done on raised mats which I do not have at home and I can’t lie on the floor because I can’t get up. Yesterday I tried a group of exercises on a pretty firm mattress in my guest room and today my back really hurts which is probably why. My first outpatient appt is next Tuesday, so I will see what they have to say. I am not taking many pain meds on purpose so my mind is clearer. I feel one thing that started my downward spiral is Oct was the 2nd anniversary of Jerry’s death and I really fell into depression; I think the first year was all shock and acceptance. I tried in-home PT from Bayada but felt it didn’t work at the time. In retrospect it was probably better than I realized. Today I went back to the Bayada exercises because I can do them standing or sitting. I know I cannot stop; I didn’t even know how to write this blog. So, it’s time to “come clean”; I am not good at exercise and it sure shows. The first 3 years were great and with so much progress I got spoiled. Then 3 falls later I fell off the horse. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving; I am not allowing myself to beat myself up but will continue to take it a day at a time. I think of you all a lot even though I’ve been absent from the boards. Fondly, Leah