• A  blog is a personal journal of your daily life as a stroke survivor or stroke caregiver.  Surprisingly, countless members have called it therapeautic to write down their thoughts and to vent their frustrations.  You can make it private, just for your eyes or public and share your personal thoughts with your friends.  Why not try it, create your blog and start writing and see if it helps you.  

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  • swilkinson

    Living on angel time.

    By swilkinson

    I went to see the neurosurgeon on Tuesday. I was interviewed by a young Asian associate doctor and sent for a 3D MRI and angiogram, a brand new way of showing  the blood supply within the brain. The results were given to me by the associate and then I saw the specialist. It appears the aneurysm is larger and deeper than previously thought but at my age they are not going to operate as it would mean a full brain surgery. Coiling, one method of dealing with an aneurysm, is not an option. I think I
    • 12 comments
    • 2,565 views
Sue's Sentiments

Looking ahead as cheerfully as I can

It is only a few days before I am off to Sydney to have the brain operation. I am not scared, my angel still has her finger on the problem spot. I am packing an assortment of bed wear keeping in mind I may not necessarily be able to pull anything over my head. I know it is a long recuperation but do not know the stages of healing. I have spoken to people who have had the operation but for most of them it was in their 40s not their 70s.   The school holidays are here and Alice and Trevo
swilkinson

swilkinson

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My Journey Within

The Chapter is Beginning

Well I am finally in my new home...well new for me. Still getting settled. I've met a very kind and smart doggie he is a chiwuawua. He comes to visit me if i'm outside at night sometimes. All I have to say is "Go home." and off he goes. My neighbors on the other side of the duplex do not like me i dont think. I had some issues with the parking situation when i first came. It is just one lady that lives there she is mentally challenged and requires assistance 24/7 so there are always at least 3 e
HostTracy

HostTracy

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I'm Back

Celebrating Gary's 72nd Birthday

Tomorrow, July 8th Gary will turn 72.......hard to believe that he almost didn't make it past his 56th birthday the year he had his stroke.  Sometimes I wish I remembered all the Doctors names who treated him at Swedish Medical Center in Denver, CO, especially the ones who said if he survived the initial brain swelling he likely would not live six months - shows how much they knew about the human spirit...lol     Tomorrow I will take him out to breakfast at his favorite casino, let him play the
SarahR

SarahR

5
SueC

Gardening Adventures - and a teachable moment.

Ah yes, an exciting day full of teachable moments...   I have a pretty bad ant problem under the paving stones. I went onto a gardening website and asked about the best way to get rid of them that is both earth friendly and not dangerous for Daisy. Daisy is a Golden Retriever who gets into anything and everything, even at 10 years of age. I got a reply - use diametaceous earth.  I have a photographic memory, and thank goodness, I didn't lose that post stroke. I could picture the contai
HostSueC

HostSueC

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achandra's Blog

hubby & I we both are on different level of our spiritual journey

I feel my hubby is very evolved in his spiritual growth journey, there are some things he is very good  like taking care of his responsibilities, he is amazing  dad, & human being but he is also very stubborn man & won't change his point of views to make other person happy, which sometimes does create conflict in our relationship, I   love him  & grateful for having him by my side, but my love is very conditional some times, I feel very annoyed when he won't do certain things which m
HostAsha

HostAsha

2
SassyBetsy's Blog

Wanting my new Shoes to walk in.

So today My Doc said right lung sounds like it is not filling up all the way prob due to the edema problem. This year I am really suffering with edema stuff. So up diuretics and hope kidneys still function well in 2 weeks. Then it took me 4 hours to be transported home. The man who dropped me off is a bully. Everyone at the home heard him telling my cna that in 10 minutes he would leave without me. Well I was waiting for help getting in my wheel chair and hang my bag on it. I have a tote I got i
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

1
Onehandcan's Blog

Onehandcan: still here

I haven’t contributed to the strokeboard in a loooonnnnggggg time, but OneHandCan.com is still here.  I’ve been dealing with horrific, debilitating back pain for months and am now facing major back surgery sometime before year’s end.  My days usually go something like this...bed...recliner...bed...kitchen...recliner...bed... yes, KITCHEN!  That’s what’s keeping me going.  I love to cook and, although I have to rest numerous times in the middle of cooking a meal, using my One Hand CanDo Cutting B
Onehandcan

Onehandcan

11
I'm Back

We Never Stop Worrying

It's funny how we never stop worrying about our kids, even though they have their own separate lives and have not lived under our roof in years.   Our oldest son had his back problems and underwent surgery back in December, went through a painful rehab process and we worried that he would end up on disability as it took a long time for him to be able to even walk without a walker.  He wasn't sure he would be able to go back to work again, especially since his employer at the time was moving out
SarahR

SarahR

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nancyl's Blog

As Sarah said-- vicious cycle

I read our Sarahs reply on her latest blog. Vicious cycle she said. Perfect wording for our lives. I to, although have come so far - feel that vicious cycle . I get up go to work, go for lunch go get Dan from the nursing home. Usually have to fix something - his glasses , pick something up off floor or figure out who he is mad at and why. Its kinda routine thing for Dan to always want or need someone to jump. But I don't dwell on it like I used to.  Then we leave the home, go through Mc Don
nancyl

nancyl

5
Sue's Sentiments

Holding patterns

If no news was good news life would be so wonderful. I have paperwork in for both operations in two different Sydney hospitals now with a pre-admission interview on the 11th for the aneurysm clipping operation. I know you all know the importance of this operation as it will save me having a stroke, at least that is the way I am choosing to look at it. With a good surgeon and a lot of prayers it should be fine. I am not looking forward to it but I am no longer afraid of it.   We have ju
swilkinson

swilkinson

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nancyl's Blog

just checking in

Just checking in-- life has a way ,even as it slowly ebbs by, to all the suddens have passed. When I think of it ( like anyone- ever doesn't think about stroke devastation) -I do check in and look at blogs of people who have mentored me through the task of caring for Dan. What a job it has been and continues to be. We do have a routine and still i have obstacles with him, but it is what it is. My rope is much shorter now. Ive had to learn - to not care as much-- to accept - his life and his desi
nancyl

nancyl

3
I'm Back

Approaching 15 Yr. Stroke Anniversary

June 1, 2004 Gary suffered his brain stem stroke at the local hospital, while awaiting tests to find out why he passed out at home that morning.   A nightmare of mistakes followed and he was transferred to a larger hospital in Denver where he spent the next three weeks in a drug induced coma to reduce swelling on the brain and further damage.  I was told he had very little chance of survival, and if he did survive he would never work again, let alone walk or talk.   It was recommended that he be
SarahR

SarahR

8
Sue's Sentiments

Home is where the heart is

I had five days in hospital and got home late Friday afternoon. It was so good to be home. I went to hospital because I got cellulitis in my melanoma affected leg. It was my own fault, I scratched an insect bite and set up a bacterial  reaction. Without the protection of lymph nodes to fight off the infection spread and on Monday I realised I was in trouble. I consulted my doctor and then rang the Melanoma clinic and following their advice finished up in the local hospital. Needless to say that
swilkinson

swilkinson

4
SassyBetsy's Blog

Back home

! I can't believe this April already! And I can't believe how long it's been since I've done a Blog. So much has happened all of your prayers have helped the miracle that has happened in my life. I was on antibiotics IV plus pills well the ivy was 10 days the pills was like a month and still I had fluid weeping out of my legs. Now I have a lymphedema condition they say and they said just elevate your legs and keep it on this diaper here so that all this fluid doesn't keep getting all over the be
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

1
achandra's Blog

beautiful mothers day gift

I realize God has been very kind to me in general. I am blessed to have amazing husband & very smart kido though he is very independent & hates me if I try to get him to do something. All through out his life he has been go-getter, if he wants something, he will work very hard & get what he wants. he is good in studies, sports & playing out with friends, he is not organized, will wait till last minute, which drives me to wall & stress out.  since his high-school years he want
HostAsha

HostAsha

1
My Journey Within

I am Sad... I am Angry... I Don't Know What I Should Do

The past few days have been tense. My Dad and my Stepmom hold secrets. During this time when we all feel so lost and vulnerable and want/need transparency. When my Dad was in the hospital (Vanderbilt) and was told for the 2nd time "You have cancer" we were all (including all the Specialist and Doctors) so happy to hear "It's not metastasized lung cancer... It is altogether a different cancer". That is HOPE. Just that knowledge. My sister was at the hospital a lot. Not me, I was sick with strep t
HostTracy

HostTracy

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SassyBetsy's Blog

Suffering

Suffering is something I am good at. I ha ve constant pain, not chronic. I am always in pain. It is my life. I am able to color and watch movies and eat and do thngs that they determine are all signs that I am not having a 10 day.    I am in the hospital right now. I had to get myself to urgent care, then they sent me to the  ER and then IWAS put upstairs. cellulitis again in my legs, but this time my right heel has a bed sore. not a blister, this is agony, who will get me what I
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

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My Journey Within

Daddy Has Second Chemo... Harsh Stuff

Yesterday my dad had his 2nd round of chemo (4 different kinds of chemo drugs). He was shaky and weak when he got home yesterday. At 5 this morning my stepmom wakes me up in a frenzy. Daddy had fallen in the restroom and she couldn't get him up and he didn't have the strength to help. Plus he went to the restroom without his oxygen so he was running out of air. It took us both 15 more minutes before we got him up on the shower stool my stepmom had grabbed out of the tub. He seemed OK, no broken
HostTracy

HostTracy

4
My Journey Within

The Chapter is Beginning

I have worked so hard, waited so long, dreamed so much, needed so much and I feel the page turning. I have such an overwhelming feeling that the page is turning, the Chapter is ending and a new one is beginning. I am full of anticipation, gratitude, excitement and fear. For the first time really... This chapter is about me. I can't explain my feelings... I am closing my eyes and letting each one wash over me. I feel it coming. It's overwhelming. For some reason even though I have fear I am not a
HostTracy

HostTracy

1
My Journey Within

More and More Scientific Information on CCAS

I had a massive bilateral cerebellar infarct in the PICA region. Since July 5, 2015 a whirlwind of things happened and eventually after a very long evaluation from a Neuropsychogist... I was diagnosed with CCAS or Cerebellar Cognitive Affectice Syndrome. I still have deficits that are not considered as part of CCAS symptoms but this diagnosis (which may I add is extremely accurate according to what happens to me daily) has been quite the controversy. Something a stroke survivor never wants. My e
HostTracy

HostTracy

0
Ksmith's Blog

finally

Well, this Sunday afternoon I fly to Florida to finally meet my grandson. It's so weird to say grandson. But I love that I'll be a Mimi. 🙂 This little guy has been through a terrible first month but he'll be two months this 18th.. I sadly won't be there for that but I'm eternally thankful for his grandparents opening their home to me. It'll be a good visit.. HOT.. yuck   
ksmith

ksmith

4
My Journey Within

April 2019...A Month and Year for Change!

My heart is all a-flutter as I write this. I have so much on my mind, so much happening... Life is moving right along. I come here first to share... You guys are family. I am practically giddy with anticipation. I also tell my local stroke support group but I only see them once a month. I tell my mom, my sister and friends I keep in touch with. Where to begin... My new runs the gamut. Very good to very not so good. I'll just begin... Good first!    First, Spring is coming! I am utterly
HostTracy

HostTracy

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Sue's Sentiments

Back to cooler days - still awaiting news.

It is always hard to wave goodbye to Trevor and Alice. They live so far away and with all my medical woes I won't be going out to Broken Hill for a while. But we had a good week, no big dramas with Alice settling in.  Not as much  time together as usual as they went down to Sydney for two full days, one to Taronga Zoo and one to the Royal Easter Show where they met up with the cousins, Tori, Alex and Oliver. Alice is very close to Oliver who treats her as his little sister so she follows him aro
swilkinson

swilkinson

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