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About this blog

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

Entries in this blog

Celebration in grocery store with complete stranger

Perhaps I've gone too far this time, Trying to find specific items with my visual impairment always a fun thing to do. I overheard a woman on her cell phone talking to someone and all I really heard was so the chemo and radiation are done in January I saw her a few minutes later went and she was off her phone and I said I wasn't trying to eavesdrop but I just want to say Merry Christmas I heard you say something about radiation and chemo being done in January I don't know who you're talking a
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Some clarification required

The other day while I was up on the floor the rehab floor I ran into a nurse that I haven't met yet and I asked her if there were any new CVA patience and she looked at me like I was crazy for asking and one of the other nurse assist for well Jay likes to meet with our stroke victims because he's a stroke victim himself my position as victims aren't here to talk about it they are not victims and he thanked me for the clarification and he understood and that just makes so much sense as well you
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Visual impairment leads to very minor disaster

One of my holiday traditions is to make peanut brittle for friends and family I use my mother's recipe which has been handed down from generation to generation and I am continuing that tradition of course I'm like my mother and grandmother before her I have to use a candy thermometer. The final stage of making the peanut brittle is heating up the molten sugar thermometer and took it up to 350 degrees F nothing worse than the smell of burnt sugar and burnt peanuts. No harm no foul another part
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Fun sunday

I love to cook and I love to bake so I decided I would make my banana cranberry walnut muffins and bread then I remembered the other day at the store there was a buy one get one free on their roast. So I made a really nice beef roast beef dinner just not sure what time my wife gets out of work today and when she does get home I can make the gravy. I just love being able to it's the least I can do is have dinner waiting for her when she gets home. Besides she's also a survivor she's a survivin
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Today's eyeopener

Record high temperature today 59. The weather forecaster says partly sunny I haven't seen any Sun today. It's a gray overcast day and much like what we deal with on a regular basis clouds will disappear and the Sun will shine again and it will be beautiful when those dark clouds enter our lives we need to realize they are only temporary and the sunshine will brighten our days eventually. Much like my greater appreciation for life post-stroke we need to appreciate the sunlight after those dark
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Thank god for friends

Daily I'm amazed by the bond that grows between us. We share so much such personal things like accidents in public, I wonder wod we share those things in face to face encounter, perhaps but only with a fellow survivor one who can understand. We share our joyz, fears frustrations our victories. We share s connection we are co bected vua an accident and nurucales we are survivors, we much accept our new normal and embrace each day as another opportunity to make this world a better ace, if even
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Another amazing day

A glorious sunrise over the waves of Lake Huron watching mother nature take back what is naturally heard the last big storm dropped a good 18 inches of sand on a beach now she wants it back so little waves slowly eat away at this and that it was built up it is Huron I guess we have to give it to her witness this small act of God keeping the world in balance the lake freighters slowly makes his way to the north most likely headed to Duluth to pick up some iron ore the world's International Water
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Laugh for today

My 4 to grandson was over last night excited about the Christmas lights so grandma ( aka meemaw), turned on the tree lights. A huge Wow then promptly pointed to a blank area and he said meemaw you missed a spot I thought it was funny. Meemaw had to change her clothes so the little hung out with papa. After a few minutes he said papa will you take me upstairs I want to check in meemaw, its too quiet. How sweet was that. I believe that made up for the empty spot comment. Out of the mouths of
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

An answered prayer

Yesterday after I did my volunteer work I was waiting around for these support group meeting which started an hour later I was sitting in the lobby and this woman younger than she told me she had a stroke a week ago I'm assuming it was relatively mild she never went to inpatient rehab I never had the opportunity to meet her she said I've seen you on the bus what time is the next bus coming I told her she had about 10 minutes send the worker that brought it down from the acute care floor and I sa
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Finding beauty on a cold foggy morning

As I walked up my driveway to meet the boss I hear in the distance I hear fog horns on freighters. But someone is in the area. Then the typical greeting of saying hello 1 long to short remind me of last summer watching Brady with my grandson he was so excited when he identified the freighter Line that was moving up or down the lake. When I grabbed my binoculars I realized he was right and we can ex on the beach I. Celebratation. I am so glad I'm here to have experienced that little situatio
Jayallen

Jayallen

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More high 5s

While having coffee I heard voices I recognized, one was a coworker 20 years ago, one taught my oldest dance 20+_years ago the last I know because our kids played soccer together at least 15 years ago. They what was new I told them about my Ct scan. All were very excited The celebratation continues   Be blessed be a blessing, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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recalling busy days when I used to work

Incredibly busy day already and which my lawyers office and gave them a copy of my neurosurgeons letter and report then I spent a half hour making for phone calls that I had to make . The rest of my day looks to be just as busy. When I think about those busy days of working day after day, I question how I did it. I live my new found freedom and appreciate every day and my new friends, face to face and cyber. My life is so essed. Be blessed and be a blessing, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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My neighbor is a diehard Boater

It's not very often the 41 and sunshine makes the such a lovely day in fact it's so nice out that my neighbor took out his 1930s vintage wooden Chris Craft buzzing up and down the lake reminiscent of last summer The only problem is the water temperature is too cold to even think about going swimming of course anymore have to wait to the water is really warm because I'm not about to shock my system in my brain unnecessarily. What a glorious day to be alive be blessed and be a blessing, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Staying positive in midst of minor frustration

I have always said we have a great transportation system here and we do Monday through Saturday unfortunately the buses do not run on Sunday which is leading to a little bit of frustration I have a 7 family member that said sure it would she would take me to the store I just had to pick up a couple items and now I have to wait and wait and wait I prefer being able to hop the bus Monday through Saturday and go do what I need to do and not have to rely on others I will not let that destroy my pos
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Humbled

So I didn't want to bother the nursing staff the nurses station and I noticed on their bulletin board behind it for National Nurses Appreciation Week which is many months ago, That that Card meant so much to them that they still have it up and look at it periodically. I had the opportunity to tell her about my good news and just a smile on her face and she says I'm so happy for your good news know what is sweet person. Thank thank you really means a lot to people. And I have to thank all o
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Blessings abound

This past Thursday I met another newbie at the hospital she told me to make sure I stop to say hi and talk with her if I was ever up on the floor So I knocked on her door and stuck my head in a big smile on her face and said oh it's so good to see you she was so excited about getting rid of the water and using a cane I remember that day And I said well that is incredible news I am so happy for you she said well I expect to see you on Monday my last day here before I go home I said I will mak
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Thought for the day

While having my morning coffee at my favorite coffee house, a friend of mine wanted to share a comment with me that he had on his cell phone it was," you can't hang out with negative people and expect to live a positive life." I love that thought and I love being a positive person be blessed and be a blessing, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Another beautiful amazing day

It's unusual in Michigan to have 45 degree weather in early December but I'm certainly not going to complain any day I can get my vitamin D by having the Sun beat down on my face I'm very happy just watching the freighter traffic move up the leg not sure if they're headed to Chicago or Duluth I have an international freeway right in front of my house freighter traffic. My life is such a blessing to my friendships that have developed here mean so much to me Be blessed and be a blessing. Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Another day filled with blessings

I went down to the hospital to do my volunteer work today she was very happy for me I also ran into three of the therapist that I worked with and 3 volunteers that I work with now Well talking with a few of the nurses that work the rehab floor I told them about it and they were very happy for me too I didn't ran into the Volunteer Coordinator gave her an update and she was very very excited Be blessed and be a blessing, My entire day was filled with blessings. Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Different drive different service

Today while waiting for the bus on one of the main north-south corridors 34 degrees and stares semis flying by me creating major wins so I have to turn my back just to stand it and I didn't see the bus coming and the driver saw me standing there and stopped I normally try to acknowledge that I have I'm looking for the bus because I have seen drivers pull up to the bus stop or somebody standing in the motion of mine I know how frustrating that is what an amazing person today definitely makes up f
Jayallen

Jayallen

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The celebration continues

And told my counselor about my and then at our luncheon today I told the group about my good news and they were all very happy for me Patty me on the back congratulating me giving me high fives I just love those people Be blessed and be a blessing, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch

I've always said with that many people working for you you're going to get at least one jerk in the bunch I had an encounter with that jerk today. Well waiting for the bus to head to my holiday luncheon with our one of the support groups that I participate in I was waiting at the main transfer location and there was some utility work going on there was a lot of trucks in a lot of noise I see that that driver every day he knows I have health issues so if I was flagging down waving my arms ecstat
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

Amazing day with unbelievable blessings

For anyone who is ever travel by bus on a regular basis you will understand my bus bodies are an extension of my family. This morning when I got on the bus out in front of my house I announce to everyone on the bus about my latest results of the latest CT scan there was a loud cheer and high fives from everyone what a blessing warms my heart through and through. No my history my medical history and the issues that I have had and when I told them they were give me high fives big smiles so exci
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Why worry about things

I just got a call from my neuro surgeons office he's the one that ordered the cat scan last week and everything is fine the only recommendation is follow up in one year I am so blessed time to do a jig I'm dancing how about you. Once again I have to thank God for giving me a second chance and I am so blessed it's just amazing I'm so happy right now Be blessed and be a blessing, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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