AJ,

I think you have a new hobby on the horizon...writing comedy. I don't know if you meant this blog to be funny, but I was laughing all the way. Laughing at ourselves, by the way, is a very healthy thing to do. I personally think it's the fast road to finding acceptance. If I was you I'd take that watch that expects too much and put it on the dog for a day and see if he/she can live up to the watch's expectations.

Jean

AJ,

I whole heartedly agree with Jean. Maybe this is your calling!

Kristen

I agree too I thought of putting the watch somewhere else..(lol) but Jeans idea of putting the watc on the dog...is pretty good, and you wouldnt have to get your hands wet fishing it out... but it is probably waterproof too. You get the trophy maybe 2 trophies :Clever: one for your accomplishments and the 2nd for not putting the watch where i would have

Bonnie

Hey AJ,

Don't let that watch make ya feel bad. Mine is let down all the time!

I truly feel an ache in my heart when you tell of these pronouncements from the "professionals". I truly believe they have not a clue the power of human spirit and perseverance. As I firmly told a therapist in rehab when he referred to me as handicapped. "I won't be your definition of handicapped, everyone is different and effected differently.. there are alot of levels of handicapped"

You will only accept what you are willing to accept. DO NOT LET THEM LIMIT YOUR IDEALS OF HOW YOU WANT TO BE. They can sit and tell you what they're tests can tell you but with rest, consistent cardio, and being constantly on the lookout (I know I still am even though I now feel ok, I never stop being on the lookout to challenge myself and learn something new) for the newest developments on the brain field of study you will feel better. It may take a couple of years but I wish you could know how it feels to be a few years out of this. It feels like the bad episode never occurred.

Yes I still feel tired but not nearly as much and it really helps to pace yourself to not overdo and conserve energy or just be really religious when it comes to sleep regularity. Stress also zaps the ole energy. But from day 1 after my stroke I never gave myself too much time to pause and doubt that I wouldn't come back as close to the mark as I could. We have too full of a time schedule, too chocked with too much for me not to try to do and be as independent as I could be. After I figured out I could finally run after the "experts" told me I'd never be able to, I figured they only serve as a mouthpiece to give the average. The things we have on our sides are age, health, and the previous experience of doing challenging work so the bar is already set higher. I hope you still are posting two years from now and we can all hear how good you are feeling! Like I told my son, the graduate, you're only limited by your own mind and dreams, not by anyone else.....jan Make your own expectations, don't go by that watch! :nuhuh: :beer:

Easier said than done, but try to forget the watch and concentrate more on adjusting to all the new things you'll have to learn and relearn from your stroke -

THE BAD NEWS IS THAT YOU'LL NEVER GET OVER HAVING A STROKE, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ONCE YOU'VE ACCEPTED YOUR LOT, YOU'LL REACH THE TOP OF YOUR CLIMB - Surviving the stroke is like finally reaching the top of MT. EVEREST

Try to have more faith in yourself

GOOD LUCK, GOD BLESS

June :cheer:

hey AJ:

I agree with Jean 100%, but I have to say why would you buy such a fancy watch with so many features to tell time :big_grin:

love

Asha

In rereading your story, I can't figure out why you are so consumed with this darn watch! -

There are so many already frustrating things in life to deal with, either return the watch, sell it or give it a way -

You are way too busy to be consumed by this

June :cocktail: it will drive you to drink

AJ - your blog was so funny I had to read it out loud to my husband! Thanks for the laughs.

-Karen

I'm sorry to disagree in a way. I don't live in an area " refusal" to accept my stroke. I do believe that some people "get over it" in the sense of getting on with life and are done with crying in one's beer. Where would it get anyone if we sat there and refused to accept something that happened and cannot be made to unhappened. That I find would be damaging to your recovery process.

Since my stroke, I've seen many other scenarios, people have had to live with and have been grateful, yes grateful for my lot in life.

I find most people find a way to accept what they maybe thought they would never be able to accept. Like I said, I'm to the point in life where I don't even give it a thought about my stroke cause I've learned to live life inspite of it and now its just something that happened, a segement in time that I gladly now "way past" in my book. I wake grateful each and everyday and mindfully (yes I stop myself when getting mad or frustrated and think how do I really want to leave this situation) go thru my day making the most of it. :2cents:

I'd like to add that personally I found the work (and personal effort) that was needed after my stroke like climbing for Everest not the end of it at ALL! I think most strokers would agree that the challenge to put yourself back to some adjusted semblence of either your old life or a new one you've carved out for yourself is the beginning of the climb.. not the end....

Dear AJ;

I read with a great sense of humour your blog. Your new job should be comedy writer. You would get a great following.

But I agree, put the watch on the dog and see if he/she lives up to the watch's expectations.

Thanks for the laugh!

Cindy