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About this blog

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

Entries in this blog

one with nature, I guess some aren't interested

Mr. Angry squirrel is back, while watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee, Mr. squirrel, instead of dropping acorns which I can handle, they don't hurt that much. He decided to somehow drop a dead branch, it missed me by 20 feet, but still a bit concerning, I guess he doesn't want to be friends. there are other ways to let me know, it scared me when it hit the picnic table, but that's all it did was startle me. I guess I try to stay clear of him, If I can identify him,   peace, jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Another glorous day

An incredible sunrise over lake Huron. Life is such a blessing I'm so happy to be here and enjoy it Peace, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Minor mission failure

I fired up the charcoal grill this afternoon. I decided since my daughter left a box of hamburgerpatties I would grill dinner and do a few extras so we would have them later if wanted or needed. Well you may have guessed, I did great on the first 4, I forgot about the last two, they aren't even chared leather they burned to ashes. Darn, I hate it when that happens. Must laugh about this one. Peace, love joy and prayers, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Random act of kindness "bragged about"

My neighbor just stopped by to let me know how great it was that u helped a friend if hers. Last week in a chance encounter on the bus I helped a woman get to her gym safely Her workout partner us my neighbor and this lovely lady was boasting about some man that helped her on the bus. The next day I saw her and she asked my name. She told her workout partner ( my neighbor) and today was the first chance to see me because I go out every day but my neighbor wanted to thank and acknowledge my
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Minor mission accomplished

I had to go with my sister in law to the grocery store to pick up a couple items and I successfully made it through without slamming my card into anyone Alleluia I love the successful trip to the grocery store where I don't run the risk of causing injury to others what a wonderful day Peace,love to all I love being able to share my minor accomplishments with you nobody around here understands my joy Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Lazy summer sunday

I slept in ( for me at least), just drinking coffee and watching "le tour de France" No plans today, that I know of. Then again I'm treated on a need to know basis and for the most part my family believes I don't need to know. Also not allowed to make decisions ( impaired judgement) my decision making prevledges have been revoked. I'm accustomed to that now and use it to my advantage. Just relaxing all day a care free Sunday haven't had one if those in a while Staying positive planning som
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Rules change

As a former Administrator I really see the pitfalls in some of these decisions being made I wondered how much the nursing staff was aware of the new rules that went into play today I went up to the rehab unit at 1130 this morning and talk to one of the nurses and told her the new rules and she was going to check with the patients and see if they were interested in talking to me. said I'll be back at one o'clock she said I'll be here when I got back here at 1 o'clock she was nowhere to be foun
Jayallen

Jayallen

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One step closer to normalcy

Very hot today so I decided to go swimming in Lake Huron first time since my stroke, 20 months ago last Sunday. I admit I was a little bit leery because the water is still so cold afraid the shock to my system might affect my brain somehow   My family convinced me my paranoia was unrealistic my wife said you've always been a fish you need to get back into that water It felt so good to be back doing something that I normally did prior to the stroke. When I got out of the water I went over to
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Caution OT in Training.

My 8 year old granddaughter was over and discovered a piggy bank, she wanted the money out of it, until she realized it was mostly pennies. She said can you help me grandpa? then why don't you use your left hand more? I explained the weakness due to the stroke. She then said, use your left hand because the more you use it the better it will get. Amazing how intuitive she is. Of course she pushed me more than any OT could. I didn't want to disappoint her. When mom came to pick her up I to
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Apology

I guess I made a rookie mistake and I have the same post showing up three times I'll try to fix that now Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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I'll play by any rules, just tell me what they are.

I went to hospital to do volunteer work. I stopped by the office of director of rehab. She asked me if I had a few minutes to talk, she can close the office door situations like that always put me on edge. It appears the powers that D have decided to change the rules of my volunteer starting tomorrow I need to happy Nurses ask the patient if they are interested in meeting with the pierpier I'm not sure why this change is put place but if course I'm fine with it It does reduce my autonomy b
Jayallen

Jayallen

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I'll play by any rules, just tell me what they are.

I went to hospital to do volunteer work. I stopped by the office of director of rehab. She asked me if I had a few minutes to talk, she can close the office door situations like that always put me on edge. It appears the powers that D have decided to change the rules of my volunteer starting tomorrow I need to happy Nurses ask the patient if they are interested in meeting with the pierpier I'm not sure why this change is put place but if course I'm fine with it It does reduce my autonomy b
Jayallen

Jayallen

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not just an amazing day it's a glorious day

Embarassing moment not withstanding, what a glorious day. my nature friends all greeted me this morning, in the pouring rain the three crows (supersized blackbirds) greeted me on my walk to the bus stop. Mr angry squirrel said hello but didn't yell at me today, perhaps he's figured out I'm an okay guy. the baby bunny also crossed my path this morning, he didn't even stop to say hello. the rain has stopped, so walking to where I need to go is nice. I'm so blessed to be able to experience suc
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Embarrassing moment

While transferring from one bus to another I walked into an elderly woman and almost knocked her over, a little background to look at me you wouldn't know that I had a stroke I'm walking pretty good I do have some left sided weakness but its a visual impairment that's a real kicker The woman had exited the bus from the back door and was walking along the side of the bus and I didn't see herbecause she was on my left side which I am completely blind and a step towards the bus and slammed right i
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Life post stroke liberating

I have always been offended by racial slurs, the difference now is I am confident enough and comfortable with myself that I make my distain clear to the offending party rather than sitting by in silence. I had an encounter with an individual the other day who referred to a young African American as a "darkie" I know the person is mentally ill, that doesn't matter I told how offensive the comment was to me. She claimed to be born a darkie, I clarified my position you may have been born an Afr
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Tuesday treat

I went to my first volunteer gig met with one Survivor inpatient. I question if he recalls our previous discussion. I then had to "run the support group. 25 years as an administrator in my other life could not have prepared me for this meeting. The dietician showed up at 2 pm. Nobody else showed , so I received a personal dietary consultation. We laughed and joked she gave me some info I bow need to make time to read. I don't mind spending an hour alone with a very nice person just chatti
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Old friend and new aquantance

While drinking my coffee, I over heard a friend say,(she had a cerebral hemorrhage and stroke, just like me), she said she had to have a procedure to verify the coil is still in place, I said, my doc ordered a CT scan with contrast. The new acquaintance introduced her self, I told her I had the same thing AR had, 20months ago. She said, you look like you’re doing well. I said, it’s determination or as my family and friends say I’m just too Darn stubborn. She said, so is my father, he had an
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Golden Opportynity

While on the bus this morning, a friendmade a comment about his sister having a stroke this past Sunday, She was transfered to a Msjor University based hospital in Detroit, I said good place to be they saved my life. he said she has pressure on the brain I assume cerebral hemorrhage, just like me. I told him to tell his brother and other sister that Saturdays are really hard, once she gets into inpatient rehab. I gave him my contact inforation, so when she gets back home, I would love to ta
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Amazing Monday

Be careful what you ask for you're liable to get it. I prayed to be able to help somebody and I got a phone call from my mother in law. She is 84 and a certified personal trainer. This is the person who last year when my insurance cut off my outpatient therapy, because they said I was done, even through my therapist all said I needed more. She came to my house 5 days a week to work with me, (saved me); now I ask you is there any way I could say no to her? She needed assistance with her b
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Amazing Monday and Tuesday will be too

I'm using my phone, which causes some editing issues I'll update Monday tomorrow lot of great things Tuesday, I get to run the support group, our therapist has an appointment for her son. Of course I didn't hesitate when asked Loving life again or us it still those gloomy days really do make the good days that much better
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Sunday Fun continued

The two boys played find until a third showed up: two is company but three is a fight; one will always be the odd man out. Still fun to watch. Wehad friends over for a cook out. I had to laugh at myself. I allow myself one beer ( allow myself? After one I'm ready for bed.), I had my one beer on the table by the rill, as I walked past not looking closely enough, I reached with my left hand, ( weak hand) I guess I didntconcentrate enough on opening my fingers tograsp the beer bottle, (darn
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Fun sunday

Just sitting on the beach watching the neighbors two grandsons playing in a rubber raft When did we loose our youthful innocence? Too much fun watching boysbe bots what a wonderful day I am blessed and I get to share my joy with all of you. Peace,love,joy and prayers, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Non survivors really don’t get it, do they?

A relative was over last night She lectured me about “letting go of my label Stroke survivor” “that’s behind you now, time to move on” As you know our recovery is a lifelong process, unlike a broken bone that physically heals in a matter of minutes compared to our life long healing. It’s so much more than just physical healing; not that it is easy by any means. The mental and emotional struggles are challenging to articulate. I work hard every day to be positive, I fight off the despair th
Jayallen

Jayallen

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