Although I enjoyed driving and making cross country trips, I had no choice but to surrender my license 7 years ago. This decision left me without access to transportation other than a county jitney that offers curbside service for disabled individuals within the county, but usually takes sixty or ninety minutes to and from the the destination for short trips which by car took me 15 minutes.
It wasn't till a year after my discharge from rehab that I felt able to drive again, but required driv
Perhaps this should be titled,”Passing the Buck.” or, ” The Ole Boys' Club. or,”Strange Gods Before Us.”
.
Much of what follows appeared in my prior posts. I believe in the context below, there is justification for all of the above titles to describe my experiences with neurologists and other neuro-physicians. In all fairness, there were a few doctors who really tried hard to be of help, but far too many who just sloughed me off with a shrug.
While in recent years we have learned some of t
The following is lengthy and contains some information that appeared in prior posts. I don't expect many to read this post in full or be in agreement with it. However, I felt compelled to labor through this writing, if not only for cathartic reasons, then with the hope that some of the mistakes I made may benefit someone despite my naivete.
Most important is to seek a second opinion, especially where surgery may be involved.
Bear in mind that “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” Many a chef
Yesterday, Tony Fraiser introduced the board to “Ted talks” I was intrigued with the two videos he posted and searched the “Ted” site and discovered a fascinating account by a brain surgeon who had suffered a massive stroke. She revealed some paranormal experiences similar to my own experiences that occurred while in hospital several years ago suffering from status asthmaticus. Not being computer savvy, I was unable to directly post the video, but it is easily accessible by going to ted.com and
In early 2002, at age 75, I suffered a brain stem stroke and was put on a regimen of coumadin. During 2003, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was treated with a series of external radiation. 2004 welcomed me with chest pain caused by blocked heart arteries, One of which was completely blocked and calcified which required a rotoblation procedure (like roto-rooter) in order to reach the heart.During this procedure, the guide wire tip was accidently cut, and remains in my heart. Four stents
I was awakened by a diarheal urge which proved to be massive bleeding, something I feared as a possibility since I was on blood thinners for almost 13 years following my stroke. I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and underwent an angiography which was unable to find the bleeding source. Fortunately, the bleeding stopped on its own after three days and the blood loss did not require the following of a blood transfusion. I had been taking Plavix and baby aspirin and was told, as a result of
Greater than Erica Jong's “The Fear of Flying,” should be the “Fear of Falling,” which should concern every stroke survivor on blood thinner medication. Many individuals have met with fatal results from a fall that would have been shucked-off by someone not on the medication. This is especially true of the elderly.
The slightest bump will precipitate a hematoma, leaving an ugly black or purplish bruise on the skin's surface, which will remain for two or three weeks. A severe fall against a h
“When Doctors Are Patients,”a book published in 1952, is the result of 33 doctors whose lives took a different direction after suffering a serious illness, thereby gaining insight as to what their patients are truly experiencing. Similar books have been written and are available through Amazon. They became better doctors after learning to identify with their patients, becoming better listeners and empathic with their plights. Perhaps, during their residency they should be injected with a virus c
The foregoing is a lengthy description of many experiences with neurologists, good and bad in my 13 years of post-stroke survival, Unfortunately, it doesn't include recovery. But it does stress the importance of a second opinion, especially in situations of a surgical nature. It also reveals the limitations of neurology, and although advances have been made in brain study, there is still much which is a mystery. Perhaps in the not too distant future, stem therapy advances may bring to life areas
My neurologist referred me to a neuosurgeon for evaluation to determine if an arachnoid cyst is pressuring my cerebellum, causing an extreme intensity of my stroke symptoms, and the addition of some new symptom as well. I was told that a micro-surgical fenestration of the cyst will alleviate the pressure, thereby reducing the symptoms that have been escalating since last April. I visited the surgeon with the hope that surgery was an option, and worth the risk, which is minor.
After viewing r
My neurologist referred me to a neuosurgeon for evaluation to determine if an arachnoid cyst is pressuring my cerebellum, causing an extreme intensity of my stroke symptoms, and the addition of some new symptom as well. I was told that a micro-surgical fenestration of the cyst will alleviate the pressure, thereby reducing the symptoms that have been escalating since last April. I visited the surgeon with the hope that surgery was an option, and worth the risk, which is minor.
After viewing r
What matter's the day
when life is like an anchored barque
that floats o'er the waves
but moves in no direction
Friday to Friday
seems but a day as time speeds forth
with abandoned haste
that spearheads a roiling wake
But the barque holds fast
although awashed by angry swells
compassing all points
and setting its course toward none
Most individuals suffer memory loss as the years add up. Certainly, with a stroke, this loss often increases concerns of dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. At age 87, I know too well of what I speak, and find it more complex, as my spouse is near my age with a number of serious illnesses, including memory loss. We are learning to accept these shortcomings in each other.
I try contending with this loss by imagining my mind as a tabular rasa, clear of prior impressions, upon which a sand paintin
illnesses and surgical procedures mount. When my stroke visited me at the beginning of 2002 I word- processed my medical history as well as a list of medications, as I was unable to write and had little reliance on my memory, due not only to stroke, but aging as well. Also, medical visits became very frequent and the lists were time saving and appreciated by the doctors. whom often commented on the unusual lengthy history. This was usually followed by my reply that the list would be much short
During a period of several days of struggling for my next breath, which felt like someone was trying to suffocate me with a pillow, I entered a state of altered consciousness that transcended my unbearable
agony. While my body labored, I felt an alertness, clarity and acceptance never experienced before or since, which outweighed my precognitive episode.
Psychic phenomena is experienced by many, but rarely shared with others for fear of being labeled strange or even crazy. I had kept this
t's been five years since my son Sean presented Marbles, a cat, to my wife. He and his wife had adopted Marbles from a shelter when she was believed to be three years old, and she shared their household for eight years, but they were no longer able to shelter her due to Sean's wife having developed an allergy to furred pets.
My wife was delighted, as she was familiar with Marbles from occasional visits to our son's home. Marble was extremely people friendly and throughout our sixty years of
