Good Day to Everyone,
After I read the Strokenet newsletter today, I was reminded that my blog was sitting stagnant for months.
I really have no excuses, except I have been bogged down with email from my newly found brother, my son in Iraq, and his Japanese fiance. Most of my time is split between exercises, and emails.
But I became very excited about the prospect of joining the bookclub. My husband is running out to get the book so that I can hopefully finish it by September 15t
I am really enjoying having the windows open and feeling the breezes blow. The curtains are rustling in the wind and my 2 cats are perched on the chest below the window, mesmerized by the birds singing outside.
Soon the nests and the birdhouses beneath the deck rafters will be full of growing families, adding more life to the backyard.
What will my contribution be this year? Well, I always enjoy planting a large basket with peppermint and lemon verbena. It makes a great tasting iced tea
Today is a big day for me ... about 4 weeks ago my family got together and bought me a recumbent bike. The bike was on sale for a great price, so I had to wait this long until it came back in stock. Hopefully today is the day it will be available for pick-up.
My husband has already rearranged a corner of our bedroom to also serve as a new workout area. Now the weights, balls, stretch cords, putty, etc will have a proper place. Up until now, everything seems to be unpaired, scattered where
I have been mulling over a list of creative things that I would like
to do, since I have some free time on my hands. First of all, I reviewed
my favorite pre-stroke hobbies:
Quilting ... Scrapbooking ... Photography ... Researching / Writing Non-Fiction Articles
... and then there is a another list of new things I wish to learn:
Jewelry Making (including metal, gemstones, glass beads, charms)
Painting with Watercolors
Pottery
Yoga
Looks like I have to be a bit m
I grew up in New England with one sibling, a year younger than me. My mother died in a boating accident in 1974 (age 40) and my Dad died of cancer at age 56. My sister and I haven't been very close - we live 500 miles apart from each other and never seem to keep the family connection strong. So when she made an impromptu visit earlier this month, I shared my panic feelings with you. I basically am intimidated in her presence.
My sister arrived and I assumed she came to see me and check out
The Physical Therapy Re-Evaluation has been completed and the therapist has determined that she really can't help me. My tremors and balance have been interfering with progressing my walking further. I understand that she doesn't want to waste my time and money, but some things she said really hurt me.
According to her, my balance and tremors are not consistant with how a stroke affects someone. And then she told my husband that all my symptoms were due to anxiety, because a stroke in the
If I had a paint brush and an easel, I would paint this day grey. The weather is overcast and damp. The neighbors walking through the court look gloomy, eyes downcast to the cracked pavement. Everyone I see is dressed in black, brown, blue. No one is talking or laughing or sharing.
I'm stuck in the bedroom with a lukewarm cup of decaf; the TV plays in the background, but I am numb to the programs or the sound. I've tried to read, but my concentration and comprehension falls prey to my short
As I mentioned before, my weight gain is always heavy on my mind. But I have other
weighty issues to deal with also ... starting with a visit from my sister this week.
She will be flying in from New Hampshire on February 2 and leaving on
February 4.
Most people might think, "What's the big deal about spending
3 days (actually closer to 2-1/2) with your sister?". In my family it is a
very big deal. My mother, father, grandparents, aunts and uncles have all passed away.
My s
Up until today, I thought I was doing well with my physical therapy.
I have worked hard during my 2 .5 hours per week in out-patient
therapy. And at home I continue to work on the exercises.
However, since I "had a spell or incident" last Thursday, my
spasticity and tremors have become more erratic and I have
experienced more slurred speech. I also have more weakness in my right leg.
Although I didn't go to the ER, the symptoms point to a TIA.
And then Friday, something happ
I hadn't planned on it, but today was a shopping day ... my husband took me out to buy a new handbag. I really didn't need one, or so I thought. But my husband explained to me that I needed a bag with an extra-long strap, so that I can put it over my head and across my body - that way I can carry my own purse hands-free.
I guess my husband is tired of carrying my handbag when I insist that I can't leave home without it. Score one for the adult in the family without stroke deficits! I
Oh, it has been a busy day around here. My daughter finally moved the remainder of her belongings into her new apartment. Of course, Dad made several trips back and forth. The final trip came early this afternoon. I was fortunate to tag along and see the place for myself.
I got the grand tour, while Dad finished setting up all the electronics for my daughter and her roommate.
I gave a "thumbs up" to the place - the fridge was even stocked with healthy food. However, it was difficult
I used to dream of writing a book. Not sure what genre, but I felt as if I had a book inside me, probably down deep so it would take some time to surface. The only thing stopping me was having the time to commit to the craft. Until now ...
Oh, I have plenty of time now. But since the stroke the problem is finding the right words combined with a creative voice. I'm not a quitter so I continue to set aside time for my daily writing prompts. Some days are much easier than others ... the
January 20, 2006
Okay, this is my first attempt at blogging. I figure I will start out with what's heaviest on my mind right now. During the last 5 months I have gained so much weight. Yes, some of it is due to the medications that I am currently taking. But the rest is due to the dramatic change in my activity level in relation to the amount of food I eat on my Vegetarian, Low Fat, Low Cholesterol, Low Sodium diet.
My husband does all the shopping, cooking, and serving of the me
