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Fate...Sometimes It's Such a Small World

HostTracy

Entry posted by HostTracy

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It's been quite a while friends...since I have blogged. It's been a tough 6 months and I have struggled with depression and increased anxiety. I am very hopeful...little by little I feel better and I keep busy. Recently, I had an issue with a charge from Microsoft so I called and spoke with a gentleman who transferred me to Payments and billing. I talked to a nice young man named David. He had a pleasant accent, maybe British. I set about explaining my issue...this can be difficult for me and the person I am talking to because I have a lot of difficulty communicating clearly and calmly. So in the middle of a pretty difficult bit of stuttering I explained That I had a stroke 5 years ago and it is sometimes hard to get out what I'm trying to say but please be patient I would get it out. David said "I completely understand and I mean literally....I had a stroke 8 months ago". I was surprised but of course felt a kindred spirit as we talked for a moment. I asked him how he was doing and he told me he had lots of therapy at first and now is down to once per month. That he was very lucky and has had a wonderful recovery so far. He is still on disability but works as well for Microsoft. He said they had been wonderful at accomodating his needs and he was very thankful. David told me it may have been stress from the work he was doing at the time they weren't sure. After speaking and swapping stories we realized that both of us had been misdiagnosed during the acute phase. We were surprised at how similar our stories were and had a moment of mutual connection. David asked "May I know your age?" and after telling him I reciprocated the question. David was 23 when he had his stroke. Myself, I was 43 when I had my stroke. Even at my age they said over and over she is too young to have a stroke. That same reason was why David's stroke was not caught even though he had typical FAST signs. He had a cerebrum stroke on one side and that is what causes the FAST symptoms. I had a rare weird stroke that didn't fall into the FAST acronym but my age was also a deterrant to diagnosis. I told him his youth was such a great thing for his recovery and that I was so happy he was doing well. I had all but forgotten why I was speaking to him to begin with. There was a long silence and then David spoke saying "I do not want to start crying and I feel it coming so maybe we should talk again about business". I reassured him of course that is what we should do and thanked him for sharing his story with me.

I realized while starting another blog that I never finished or posted this one. It's not complete but I'm leaving as is and posting anyways. I had forgotten this until I read it again!

 

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11 Comments

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heathber

Amazing isn't it how once you stopped talking about the problem for a few minutes your communication skills came back. Much easier to deal with problems once you start communicating as a person.  It always amazes me how this happens. Thanks for sharing both here and with David. Hugs

-Heather

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GreenQueen

Did David fix the issue?

What a great guy, going off topic with you.

Sometimes it's good for the soul to talk to a stranger. 

I'm sure the conversation was beneficial for you both.

💚👑

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swilkinson

Tracy I am glad you posted this at last. Sometimes there is someone who really needs to read it that would not have read it at the time of writing. That was a really beneficial conversation for both of you. It is also the reason we are all here, to get the feeling that we are not alone, that others are feeling alone too, that together we can feel better, reach further. From  what I read here you are doing a great job hosting chat. The benefits of chat are evident too, you are really helping people to connect. You are doing something very worthwhile there.(((Hugs)))

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HostAsha

Tracy :

 

I am glad you posted this, I always feel being open with others about your difficulties helps only. So I am glad you shared your problems & found cindered spirit on the other end. hope your charges were taken care of .

 

Asha

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Willis

That could be the best report I've read since however long I have been a member. Tracy I have done that on the phone when I'm the one forced to have the conversation. If I can humble myself I let the person know I'm stroked. That usually help. Just thinking about explaining those things is exhausting. What were the odds of talking to David? I have often thought it would be nice if the person at the other end of the phone knew somhow we were challenged. 

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GreenQueen
On 9/20/2020 at 6:16 AM, Willis said:

I have often thought it would be nice if the person at the other end of the phone knew somhow we were challenged. 

Willis if I need to talk to someone at the bank, or insurance company etc, and know there's going to be thinking involved, I quite often tell them I have brain damage. 

Makes the conversation so much easier, from both points of view.

💚👑

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Willis
4 hours ago, GreenQueen said:

Willis if I need to talk to someone at the bank, or insurance company etc, and know there's going to be thinking involved, I quite often tell them I have brain damage. 

Makes the conversation so much easier, from both points of view.

💚👑

🥰

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alansd

i think God puts people in contact with us to help or teach us, I know many times when I am down I get an unexpected meeting with someone who lifts me up. One time i was entering our fitness club a woman on the way out, said "hey dont i know you" After a minute of chat we realized that she attended my music ministry nights, with her husband years earlier.. He a naturopath with a large practice, she the admin person.She offered to get me accupuncture abd hyperbaric treatments at minimum cost. I attended there for 6 months after that. All part of getting well. I also have had people come up to me at the gym and say how I inspire them with my dedication

and work,that seems to be timely and helpful.

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