It's been 5 months since the first stroke. I've been dealing with aphasia since and have gotten frustrated that I just couldn't seem to get the words right, even with them written and posted on the objects.

Well, a couple of days ago (I've been busy and haven't had a chance to write lately), I FINALLY used the correct words for the Microwave and the Dishwasher!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course, I still insist that one boils water in an iron and can't, even now, remember what it is that Sam told me was the correct name. There is still the "top fridge" and the "bottom fridge," one is colder than the other. Some other things are still not the right thing and I still get lost in my head, or can't get words out. I've also been told that I talk much slower than I used to (probably not a bad thing since I had been told that I spoke English almost as fast as I spoke Spanish). But I have obviously made some progress!

That makes me very happy. Not having a word, or having the wrong word has been something that bothered me greatly. I have always been lovingly referred to as "the walking thesarus." Hard to be that when you have lost words, or the ability to use them.

It seems like a very small thing, but I have learned that, where stroke recovery is concerned, sometimes the "smallest" things are really big things and anything that you couldn;t do yesterday, that you can do again today is a win. All wins should be celebrated.

On a side note,

People at the office are very impressed with the work that Monster and I are doing. People are starting to make appointments with me to meet at various dog parks so I can give them tips on living with their animals. Even some of the people we have met at the dog park are starting to ask me how I taught Monster to be so calm, or to do <insert trick here>.

It really makes me fee like I can achieve my dream of having my own training facility and specializing in service dogs. I wouldn't have even though about it before the stroke.

When God closes one door, he really does open a window!!