• 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
    • 2,556 views
My Journey Within

Sending Prayers to my family...

My Uncle Darrell passed earlier this afternoon. I saw him on Wednesday for what I knew would be my last time. Death can be such a double edged occurrence. He fought a long hard battle with cancer for one year. He proceeded without fear and gave all of himself. In the end he was a mere ounce of himself. Unconscious most of the time and always in pain you just prayed that his pain would be over soon. Then you have the other side my Aunt Sherry and their two children who are adults now have spouses
HostTracy

HostTracy

3
Jayallen's Blog amazing days

Out of context

Seeing people out of context with a visual impairment could lead to embarrassing moments or a good laugh.   While having my morning coffee and doing a little writing sitting in the coffee house to my left I hear this familiar voice hey how are you today so I had to turn my head to try to see who was talking to me and then Focus and she said it took awhile to realize who I was didn't it and I started laughing this is the counselor I've been seeing for over a year I don't think I've ever seen he
Jayallen

Jayallen

1
Jayallen's Blog amazing days

Chance encounter

I boarded the crosstown bus and there was a couple sitting in front of me and he around and sad hey how you doing of course I had no idea who it was and he said you don't remember me do you? I said I'm sorry I don't honestly since my stroke my memory is so bad. He said from the hospital it was one of the stroke survivors that I worked with and I just made such a huge deal about him being out and about it was so good to see him and I'm so glad he had the courage to approach me. What a blessing
Jayallen

Jayallen

0
Sue's Sentiments

Pictures of my life

I was looking back on the life I have lead in the past twelve months or so and discovered I have no pictures to look back on and yet I have been a lot of places and done a lot of things. During the last few years with the exception of the two trips overseas I have taken very few photos. I guess it is because I am alone and so I forget to take the camera with me, after all who is going to want to share the photos afterwards? The ones I have on my computer are mostly those of the six grandchildren
swilkinson

swilkinson

4
My Journey Within

When it rains it pours...

Today has been a whirlwind. I decided to go see my mom's brother in law for the last time probably. He has brain cancer and he will probably pass very very soon. I was glad I went...even though he was never really conscious of me being there. I have a lot of memories of my Aunt Sherry and Darrel when I was little and I was their babysitter for their two children when I was a teen. Then they babysat my daughter when she was little. I just didn't want to miss the chance. I also found out today tha
HostTracy

HostTracy

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Jayallen's Blog amazing days

Counting months

Today marks 35 months since my stroke does anyone else still count the months not wanting to minimize the tragic events of my past but at what point do we stop counting months and start counting years just curious I know it's up to each individual I'm just not sure where I land on that next month will be 3 years any input is always appreciated I love the support and encouragement I get from thank you thank you thank you
Jayallen

Jayallen

4
My Journey Within

Worry...it's a daily thing for me...

Lately, I have been really down sorta. In one way I think I am doing great...I am getting things done which has been a big struggle. My kitchen is clean, I made a fall wreath, I have vacuumed everywhere, mopped floors, cleaned the bathroom, and just trying to organize my life in my house a bit better. On the other hand I have been worried about my husband who hasn't felt well. He left work early and is missing 2 more days. It's really unlike him at all. His blood pressure had been so high the la
HostTracy

HostTracy

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spacie1's Blog

Why Do I Feel Like I'm In This Alone??

When we moved to Arizona four years ago, I thought we were going to have a nice small house in a quiet suburb with a pool in the back yard, where I could get out and swim while Gary napped. Because of tightened banking regulations after the Wall Street disaster, I couldn't sign for the loan using Gary's Power of Attorney, so the whole deal fell through. As a result, we ended up having to find something we could pay cash for and get into quick, after being cramped in a small hotel room with limit
srademacher

srademacher

10
SassyBetsy's Blog

Loss of Right Hand Ability

I frequently fall asleep on right elbow so I have damaged the ulnar nerve so my hand is useles just about. I went to eye clinic a nd found out the prisms are not in my new glasses. The pretty ones.. so hard to read, color.
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

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Sue's Sentiments

Spring cleaning and meet ups

One of the Aussie stroke survivors on here and I are trying to get together for a lunch. We keep proposing dates and then one or the other of us has to cancel. I know this is a busy life so I guess that is the reason. It is not a long trip as she lives in Sydney an hour and a half or so from here, maybe two and a half hours if I factor in public transport.. I find it difficult to make a date and a time as that depends what else is happening in my life. I am picking up friends from the past again
swilkinson

swilkinson

3
fking's Blog

The Price Of A Nursing Home These Days

I was just reading the Sunday paper and noticed an article about the prices of nursing homes and places for seniors to live..... I couldn't afford a nursing home on what I get each month and I'm probably not alone so I will not show the prices they got in the article..... That is something for all seniors to think about that may have suffered a stroke like many of us here..... Especially if they don't own a home at this point in their lives......   I'm so glad I bought a home back years ago be
fking

fking

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Jayallen's Blog amazing days

The blessing continue

Sunday. Accolades from fellow survivor. Humbled beyond words Monday I was asked to run a poetry worjshop for a local non profit organization more of adults needing a quiet place to write and shared Right up my alley. We'd. Still waiting on SSA disability. A former employer send me info on a pension buyout. Value $2400 to be aid in early December. Then the hospital where I volunteer knowing I'm still struggling financially offer to buy my bus pass for three months   Unbelievable blessings
Jayallen

Jayallen

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My Journey Within

Let's Do This!

I am psyching myself up for my appointment with the gynecologist oncologist which is next Friday. Getting my questions written up and trying to think positive.   I am especially proud of myself because the last 2 days I have written a list and I have gotten everything done except 2. I really like checking things off. I got a list pad that is cute and has check off boxes and is not really long (like half the length of regular list pads). Each of the nights and early in the morning when I first
HostTracy

HostTracy

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Jayallen's Blog amazing days

Incredibly blessed and Incredibly humbled

With the latest edition of strokenet going live Saturday including my phone Rising on Sunday I got an email from one of our fellow member and she claims poem was wonderful honest and totally relevant to stroke recovery and she now feels inspired to continue Rising but the most incredible comment that she made that just almost back of my knees what she said that she is keeping a copy of it on her desk for easy quick reference as a writer I always hoped that someone can relate to the least some of
Jayallen

Jayallen

2
nancyl's Blog

ECT--electroconvulsive therapy

My depression although improved is still a predominant part of my life...Meds have not resolved it. ... So I elected to start ECT - had my first treatment on this past monday. I survived -- they put you under for this and give a muscle relaxant. I will do it 3 times a week for about 4 weeks. It leaves you very sore, as far as the muscles go... even had sore toe muscles ..LOL-------- Im still working , still seeing dan as often as I can ( now with the treatment). still surviving . I am OK- I fe
nancyl

nancyl

15
fking's Blog

Another Week Started And It's OCTOBER Already!!!!

We all suffer all week long from our pains and I have made it to 75 years of age after surviving the stroke at age 62 back in 2004 which was a lot for me to experience at that time..... I knew nothing about strokes at that time and far as I know I am the only one in my family to ever have one...... My saying is a stroke is no joke and it can take you out this life..... Surviving a stroke takes a lot out of you daily and mostly makes you very tired.....   Initially you need so much help in lear
fking

fking

3
My Journey Within

I Wanted to Add Some Lighthearted Laughter...

We have a squirrel family who comes back to our attic every year and builds their apartments, towns, and mansions. Every year we have find where they have found a way to get in and close it up and block it. They always find a way back in. My Landlord said it has been happening for many years and they cover and close and keep them out and they always find a way. So this year we have heard little feet scampering across the plastic piece that sits behind our gutters. The areas that they had going t
HostTracy

HostTracy

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Jayallen's Blog amazing days

Making someone's day after she made mine

Saturday I was not feeling very joyful on my way to town. Money was tight, what else is new. I stopped for coffee I was d I going out change and the worker said that's good enough. I'll pay the rest. This person is always so happy and full of positive energy. As I was leaving to get my bus. I told her how she helped me push the negative energy away. I thanked her for the coffee she said don't mention it. I said thank you for being you. We shared a laugh and my day was brightened the re
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Jayallen's Blog amazing days

Amazed once again

I was having coffee the other day and a friend of mine stopped by I see her maybe once or twice a month when she stops in for coffee we chatted talked about the kids and the grandkids and I she was leaving I said have a beautiful day actually stopped and looked at me and said I will know I came here knowing I would run into you because you are always such a ray of sunshine be well my friend. Positive attitude is a wonderful thing. Of course a comment like that makes my day even better. Peace
Jayallen

Jayallen

1
fking's Blog

Nothing Much To Talk About In My Case!!!!!

I'm still kicking just not very high these days but I thank God I have not gotten any worse in my condition lately so I'm still healing and coming along with my progress of being a stroke survivor for the pass 12 years or so....... Man it just doesn't seem like I been on here since 2005 but I hope to be sitting out for a while before too long or I start to go downhill from here........   Surviving a stroke is the hardest thing I ever done and now at age 75 it takes more stamina to just get up
fking

fking

4
SassyBetsy's Blog

prayer request

my tiny grandson born on Sept 12 is in surgery this morning for his kidney and itestine problems. This is his second surgery. He only has one kidney and they are trying to get it working properly. I held him only one day and he smiles when he is full. He gets that from me. He is beautiful and we all think he resembles someone but in fact he is just him and that is cute. His little life is precious and mom has tried so hard to give him a great start in this life we somehow love and hang on to.
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

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SassyBetsy's Blog

Waiting for Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment

I had a quarterly meeting that was strange. One staff member came in to chat with me and she focused on what was my pain level number. I said it was a 7. I am dealing with the staff not giving me the pain meds on time and they lie about leaving it on my table instead of waking me up. I photographed the med cup with the pill in it and showed supervisor the picture with the time on the detail page. They are so concerned with the pain number that another woman followed and she wanted to discuss i
SassyBetsy

SassyBetsy

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