• 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.  

Blogs

Featured Entries

  • 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
    • 2,595 views
SassyBetsy's Blog

Is Anybody Listening??

I went to my cardiologist today because I called last week telling them since she cut my diuretic, I am swelling,so then when doc got message,she had her nurse tell me on Wed to get lab work Thurs and come to clinic on Friday at 8:40 for evaluation. So I luckily could have my blood drawn at the home, but unfortunately they never sent the results to the doctor so during the exam they did... But the story starts with this:   BUT when I arrived to the office I was so tired and had le
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

1
SassyBetsy's Blog

Is Anybody Listening??

I went to my cardiologist today because I called last week telling them since she cut my diuretic, I am swelling,so then when doc got message,she had her nurse tell me on Wed to get lab work Thurs and come to clinic on Friday at 8:40 for evaluation. So I luckily could have my blood drawn at the home, but unfortunately they never sent the results to the doctor so during the exam they did... But the story starts with this:   BUT when I arrived to the office I was so tired and had le
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

2
SassyBetsy's Blog

On Being Appreciated

Sometimes it is hard to accept compliments,but they feel good, but do you believe them or consider them deserved.  There is a nurse who always always admires my coloring. One time she asked if I colored people,so I put a lady with a peacock up on my wall.  So she looks at my books, tells me that choosing just the right colors is my passion. She says I am an artist.....always saying she is a fan, saying she boasts about me to her family. she is my age, very nice med nurse who works ov
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

3
Precarious Perch

Wearisome

I have previously mentioned that I have a reclusive nature, but since the stroke I am beginning to realize my perception of my reclusievness was more personal choice than I was admitting to myself. Now, post-stroke, with my newly acquired limitations of dexterity, I am faced with more a forced state of semi-isolation.   It's an eyeball opener.   I realize now that pre-stroke I still had the choice at any time to venture forth into society, but now that is not the case. 
beingnobody

beingnobody

10
My Journey Within

A Day In the Life Entry

It's been a different spring into summer this year. Things are just different. It's been a year since I moved from Nashville and away from who I thought I would be with forever at one time. I see my Psychiatrist every two months and tell him every time that my dreams haunt me. I dream about Adrian almost every night...not the "I want to be with you" dreams but dreams that don't feel good. I can't explain...My dreams can be scary real feeling since my stroke many times I have to wake up well befo
HostTracy

HostTracy

4
achandra's Blog

I have read this but now know for sure being thankful or kind to others is gift to yourself

I have read about it, that doing gratitude journal  & being nice to others are easy happy feelings booster. I will  do my gratitude journal whenever I remember from time to time, but never knew even thank you letter can bring out such a great happy feelings. In my post stroke journey I have encountered ton of doctors most were very nice to us some had better bedside manners than others, but my cardiologist who sealed hole in my heart was way kinder to me & will always have special place
HostAsha

HostAsha

3
Sue's Sentiments

A week away in Broken Hill

I have just been to Broken Hill for a week with Trevor, it is cool and dry inland so on the sunny afternoons  I sat on his verandah and read and I'm always happy to do that. When he and his girlfriend  were available (they are both busy doing training courses) we went places, some new, some old favourites. On my birthday we went to Silverton, a former mining town now a popular place for artists and went to a couple of galleries. There are some wonderful paintings of that wild desert country
swilkinson

swilkinson

5
Precarious Perch

every day

I went to my first post stroke Neurology consult on Tuesday.  Talked about either increasing Baclofen dosage or prescribing something stronger.  Not sure what, specifically that would be.  Also said they would work on the outpaient physical therapy I've been awating word on.  And ordered a compression glove for the left hand issues.   I'm trying to remain optimistic but honestly, most days I don't leave my room all day other than bathroom trips, unless my sis takes me to Walmart for es
beingnobody

beingnobody

4
Precarious Perch

Apprehension to insomnia

Neurology appointment in 6 hours.  Mind racing, just because.  Sleep elusive.   Woe is me.   Not again this song and dance.  Pervasive, stalking me.   Weariness embraces me but drowsiness escapes me. Make it stop.  I want off.   I miss sleep.  Deep,undisturbed sleep.   TICK   TOCK .....
beingnobody

beingnobody

7
achandra's Blog

Heros journey

I love Oprah's super soul Sunday series & love authors she talks to on her show, it opens up my world & I get so many AHAs & feel great about my own journey. This week she was talking to Eat,Pray & love Author Elizabeth Gilbert, who was sharing her life experiences & strength she got from reading Heros journey by Joseph Campbell. In a nutshell all of us are called to do something out of our comfort zone & when we face our fears & accept the challenges given to us, tha
HostAsha

HostAsha

2
SassyBetsy's Blog

Brokenhearted

A couple was in snf here and the husband died. They both could not have found the parking lot between them, they were both in chairs,but he walked wandered. I saw her having melt downs,I even tried to help her do bingo once but as they said she did not stay to play. But she hung out in a chair with her pillow, which for sanitary reasons are not allowed in common areas.  So one day I went to play bingo, and she had her head on bingo table with pillow. I sat next to my friend and asked if they wer
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

8
nancyl's Blog

finally Dan takes some tylenol

Dan fights all pills has refused all for about the last 2 years. This includes pain pills and the like. But when his brace got put on wrong it stimulated some really bad pain for him. It took 2 weeks of his groaning and I finally said- if he didn't take some tylenol I wasn't coming anymore. Blackmail basically. But darn it helped his pain. So for now he is taking the tylenol. Everything in our lives has to be dramatic. Simple tylenols become big issues. Strokes - can, in Dans case take away comm
nancyl

nancyl

3
Jayallen's Blog amazing days

My laugh for the day

I have been using the bus for about 4 years now.  There are a few places I go on a regular basis, I know generally when the bus should pass by.  Yesterday was very warm, okay hot by Michigan standards (90+ degrees F 35 degrees C.  I usually go to the bus stop about 5 minutes before I expect to see the bus.  Yesterday was the same routine.  I was hanging back in the shade.  I was day dreaming about getting home taking a cool shower and just relaxing.   looked up as the bus passed by, at the estim
Jayallen

Jayallen

4
SassyBetsy's Blog

Sitting at Hair Salon

Well, I did it!!! I got my new highlights...I am blondie!!! I feel like myself. I feel pretty!  My hair has thinned so I wondered what this would end in... But I am getting so many compliments.     I get short of breath, I walked too far outside on the way to luncheon at a coastal restaurant. I pigged out. So, I came back and slept through dinner. I took selfies by the coast to send friend who sent me money to get my new tank tops. I have a blue striped scarf t
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

3
Strokewife's Blog

Red Rover

Red Rover, Red Rover Send A Caregiver On Over…   The game Red Rover was a game I played during my childhood.  Often I, along with the neighborhood kids would get together and play this simple game around the summer holiday time. It did not require equipment.  The only objective was to call one individual to run over and attempt to break the barrier formed by the group of young individuals interlocking their hands.  If that individual did not break the barrier then that single individua
Strokewife

Strokewife

2
SassyBetsy's Blog

My sinus Infection.

I am ill. recovering. I will get the antibiotics tomorrow. I saw my own doc at urgent care, I was not taken seriously by this home, not ill according to them....but news flash...my pain meds fight fever just like acetaminophen.   And my sinuses are clogged, sometimes nose is clear Hot cocoa,hot tea, apple juice. Hot helps, and sleep. Will I feel good for memorial day? Please.  
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

7
SassyBetsy's Blog

The Princess and The Pea

Today I went for a shoe fitting, and I needed the insole adjustments made too because they were not done properly.  I walked in telling  the guy that I felt like I walking on a pebble in my shoe but it was only the insert and maybe I was like the princess and the pea. So he took out in insole and he found a tiny thing in the seam.  I said Seriously?? And he said well you called it!  Oh we laughed, but then he took the insert back to make it thinner so my shoe will be more comfortable.   I love m
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

6
SassyBetsy's Blog

Sharing my story, self advocating

Recently I had to speak up about how my diabetes is treated, I told the nurse I had dr. permission to administer my insulin and I knew how to take care of myself  and then she said AND YET YOU ARE HERE IN A NURSING HOME....and I suggested since she is new does not know me can she go get the supervisor who could advise her, she insisted we do it her way which was with holding insulin and that was wrong. And in the end The next day, my endocrinologist called them with specific instuctions which I
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

10
achandra's Blog

I am so confused, don't know what to do

as most of you know I am blessed with amazing family, who has great dad who provides his unconditional love to all of us & we also have very bright son who on most days is nicest, wise young man who does right things, but I find it sometime we have to push him hard or ask ton of questions before he will do things which is utmost important at this point in his life, so it just escapes me what is he really scared of, why is he not doing what is required of him to do, to be successful in life.
HostAsha

HostAsha

10
My Journey Within

I Am Long winded Lately LOL

Boy, I have read back through some of my replies lately and wow I have had a lot to say. I am going to call it passionate response. I am so happy that I have an outlet with Strokenet and now another with my local stroke group. I have a lot to say and have a lot of thoughts that I can be really passionate about. I sometimes want to do more...educate others...help improve medical therapies...bring light to subjects about stroke that seem to be put on the back burner. I know I am extra passionate a
HostTracy

HostTracy

1
Jayallen's Blog amazing days

having fun

Those of you who have enjoyed my poems in the monthly newsletter Stroke net. Will be happy to know I have compiled a book of several poems. You know me as Jay Allen, a pen name I created while at University.  I was under the impression, I had to use my legal name for publication purposes.   My legally given name is John A. Yurgens.  Please take the opportunity to check it out.  The book is called "Survival:  Life after a stroke.  Poems of my journey."   I am almost done
Jayallen

Jayallen

4
SassyBetsy's Blog

A tangerine.

I spotted an orange thing on a little bush out here in the secret garden that my room has a patio on. I thought oh wow, and asked the housekeeper to go out there and pick it for me, recalling how I would go fruit picking in the past. It was a tangerine. It was delicious, forbidden fruit..Small unusual amazing things happen to me once in a while.
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

2
SassyBetsy's Blog

New Shoes and Swelling

I am so happy with new pretty shoes, athletic,supportive custom made orthotic,all paid for from diabetic medicare program   but I need to break them in,and my feet swell off and on   I wanted some pretty ones, I looked through catalogs, got what I liked, bought matching socks and tank tops   So I asked for help putting them on and the cna says why do you keep buying these shoes? ok,these were fitted,measured, but i swell, but i cannot wear slippers always  
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

4