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About this blog

Highlights of simple things observed that were taken for granted pre stroke

Entries in this blog

isolation

With this pandemic, I'm doing  my part,  I'm staying home. I can no longer volunteer at the hospital, the local gyms are closed and the public libraries closed, all, until further notice.  I miss being out socializing with others.  I really miss volunteering. I miss my post stroke "new normal". I guess I need to create another "new Normal, with new daily and weekly routines.  I managed after my stroke in comparison this is a minor inconvenience. I can still share with all of
Jayallen

Jayallen

6

happy Dance

Every year I have a CT with contrast, It was scheduled the day after 2019, on 01-02-20, I received a call from my neurosurgeon's office, I got a clean bill of health, the only recommendation is a follow up CT in one year      
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

FIVE YEARS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MANY MORE

5 years ago, today.  My life. my world changed in the blink of an eye.  With an aneurism (intra cranial hemorrhagic stroke, a brain bleed) and mild stroke.  It took awhile but I joined the network.  The connection made have helped me so much, offering hope, inspiration and comfort during challenging times. It is wonderful to share hopes dreams and concerns with others who truly “get it”. Thank you, we need to look after each other as we continue our individual journeys.
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

Anothre milestone

November 1, only a few days until I mark my 5th anniversary of my stroke. Hard to believe it's been five years. I am staying vigilant to recognize and fight off the triggers that surface this time of year my stroke date is 11-12-13. With all the memories issues I have why can't I forget that date?  lol be well  god bless Jay Allen    
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

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

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

The Art of Walking

Many, outside of our world, will not understand. That’s why I write this for you.  Or US. How many 56-year old people need to think about walking? Just another “Step” on the journey of my the new normal. I can’t do all the thing now that I did before the stroke. Before, I walked without thinking about the mechanics involved And I always had a long stride. Recently, I’ve realized with my old long stride I tend to limp Causing more pain in my other hip. I ne
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Humor helps

there is nothing funny about having a stroke, survival nor recovery.But there are humorous situations that come about and laughter helps get me through.   At a Support group meeting this week, we discussed how we tried to "cheat" during therapy, and always got caught by our therapist or doctor. For example; Fine motor  nuts and bolts, Holding the bolt with affected hand and using good hand to quickly turn the nut, of course faster than we could the other way, and the OT calls you
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Are there really four Seasons?

It seems once again, here in the Midwest US.  Michigan Etc.  We bypassed spring. last week our temperatures were in  in the 40 degrees F high temp daily, last two day it was 85 degrees F or higher. We skipped spring no slow gradual increase in heat, to adjust.   Of course since my stroke, my body does not regulate temps, as I once did.   High temps, feel hotter and cold is colder. Hard to determine appropriate attire when the day starts in low 40's up to 80 by
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Visual impairment has gone from frustrating to embarrassing too painful today

I've always tried to find the humor in things and I have said for over a year now that visual impairment is more embarrassing than frustrating however today while at the library working on the computer I printed off a document went to retrieve it and on my way back due to Mi left non visual field I walked right into a plaster column course my first thought was to look around and see if anybody saw me and there was a gentleman sitting at the computer and laughing so I packed up my belongings and
Jayallen

Jayallen

4

Hope

Finding hope is like Finding the sunrise It's always there but at times it nay be. Hard to see.  
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

Hope

Finding hope is like Finding the sunrise It's always there but at times it nay be. Hard to see.  
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

I don't mind the pain

I believe I posted that 3 weeks ago I had foot surgery too much walking since the stroke that's my little joke anyways last week I would had an appoint with my podiatrist and I was healing up pretty good but he had to do a little flushing in manipulation of the incision and I jumped you said are you okay I said listen. Considering 3  years ago if you'd done that to me I would have been able to feel it I don't mind the pain. It is all about attitude and perspective isn't it?   Be b
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Post rehab regression?

Real quick question I met a gentleman at the hospital followed him to a long-term rehab facility got to know him and his family quite well he is now home and his wife is frustrated with her perception of regression simple question since my memory is so bad of what what I am what happened to me as soon as I got home from Inpatient Rehab is there a is it normal to have some regression in the progress moving from a structured facility to home? This caregiver is really struggling right now I'm tryin
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

3 years and my daughter still doesn't understand

My youngest daughter is moving into an apartment she sent me a text asked me if in my travels I could keep an eye out for the table for her cheap something like $20 I know what that means she wants me to hit the second hand stores to see if I can find a table for her and of course purchases it also with the 9 or 10 second hand stores in and around the area traveling by bus it would take me a solid two days to go to all of them get there and then wait for the next bus. if she made a similar reque
Jayallen

Jayallen

11

Another amazing day

I stopped by the hospital first thing this morning because my to see my patient because she's being discharged and I had to give her my So Long Farewell best wishes card which I always personalized based on our conversations and she's as I was getting ready to leave she said wait a minute she locked her wheelchair stood up just let me give you a hug wow what a beautiful way to start the day then I stepped outside and the sun is shining for the first time in over two weeks doesn't get much better
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Making lemonade

I know you understand when I say I'm making lemonade when God gives you lemons you make lemonade every day I realize more and more how blessed I really am to have survived for my stroke and I'm able to read this guy was able to ReDiscover the poet deep within me that I pushed aside all those years ago because of life I'm writing on average two to three Palms day and I'm having so much fun with it of course I love doing the volunteer work at the hospital I met a new Survivor last week of course i
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

2016 goes out on a high note

Saturday is one of my typical days to do volunteer work so December 31st which was a Saturday I was here and there were no stroke survivors for me to meet with but one of the nurses asked me if I would talk to another gentleman turns out he survived two stroke 18 years ago but he was in the hospital receiving radiation therapy so we chatted for a little while and finally he says to me Jay I have to tell you I can tell by the tone of your voice just what a caring compassionate person you are I sa
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

A new holiday tradition

I have always made peanut brittle. As Christmas presents. I use a multigenerational recipe. Three years ago i had my stroke the weekend i had planned to make it. Since then when i want to make my brittle i have to arrange for adult supervision . Last year my sister inlaw agreed. This year decided. It is a new tradition for us. We have fun. I am so blessed.
Jayallen

Jayallen

6

War of attrition, over and I won

I received a call from a worker at local SSA office.   My disability is APPROVED.   Only 3 year. Now I can get on with my life. Happier dance. I would like to kick my heels but I know I would end up falling not worth trying.   Now I can breathe.
Jayallen

Jayallen

8

Annual CT done

Hesitate in both beyond surgeon and neurologist have copies. As I was reviewing at library a friend who is a RN.   She said the most important thing is the findings. Comparison to past few years of CT.   "Stable and unchanged examination.   Yes I'm doing the happy dance but well aware docsnay see something in the report that I don't understand.   Peace out and have a great day. Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

4

Another absolutely amazing day

the sun is shining and it's a beautiful November day it is 25 degrees F outside 2and the sun is shining and as long as your block from the wind like I am right now it really is a beautiful day and it's amazing I am so humbled to be here to appreciate it
Jayallen

Jayallen

2