Tuesday, May 31, 2011

One stroky’s journey

The literature about strokes, both in print and online formats, is undoubtedly exhaustive and exhausting. That is especially pertinent, because until today, just about everything has been exhausting to me. 

Today for the first time since I returned home after my April 22 stroke I made it through a whole day at home without dissolving into an afternoon nap of two hours or more. PROGRESS! And it wasn’t all at home. Husband Walter and I engaged in community integrative therapy (That is an actual term that I heard a therapist use) today which included a visit to Coffee Fusion for tea, coffee, and a little visiting in person and online; shopping at Wal-Mart, Lowes and Sears. The last two I read a book in our van while hubby zipped in to finalize his price-checking and purchase of a new lawnmower. 

All that means I am getting stronger. I will periodically be posting such enlightening tidbits about my stroke journey, when I am not engaged in enthusiastic napping, that is. No research; just my impressions.

9 comments:

  1. You will back back to normal by summer, I know it! You are progressing so well!!! And you even shopped in Wal-Mart? Did you need the scooter? I also went to my first store today, though I had to ride the scooter. We are all rooting for you and can't wait from one post till the next!! Nothing wrong with a little nap here and there either, even for people who have not had a stroke. Dr. Oz says that short ones are good for us.

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  2. Ginny, No scooter, but I was in my wheelchair, mostly hubby-powered but about a third of the tme under my own power! Glad you made it out today, too!

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  3. Sounds like you are making some very nice progress! It is hard to be patient and wait for the next improvement, isn't it? I'm not usually good with patience in that way. I was a little surprised at myself after a major surgery, when I was very content to just let things happen as they would, napping, going to bed at odd hours, etc. I came out of it with a better level of "wait-ability" than I would have guessed! I hope it goes that way for you, too!

    Keep on keepin' on! We're rootin' for ya!

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  4. Linda, you day exhausted me and I haven't even been sick. You are wonder woman!

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  5. That's such encouraging news Linda. Rest and recharge. Praying for your continued healing and recovery.

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  6. Lynilu, Thank you for the addition to my vocabulary! My level of "waitability" seems to have decreased once I arrived home.

    Marcia,That being the case, the real wonder is my husband, who has been extremely patient, uncanny in anticipating my needs, and creative about solving logistical challenges of my current,and i am confident, temporary limitations.

    Marcia, no wonder woman here. When I list activities, the wonder part is a husband who not onlly willingly loads and unloads a wheelchair and stands by for my involved mounting and dismounting from our van but also actually suggests outings that were part of our normal week "pre-stroke"!

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  7. The thing I remember most vividly about my stroke is how long it took for me to get over being so tired all the time. I could fall asleep anywhere.

    If you need the nap, take it. Dianne

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  8. I'm just catching up to my regular blog reading, so I just found out about your stroke. I'm glad you're home and wish you all the best. Oh, and if you ever want to loan Walter out, . . .

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  9. Wonderful idea to blog about the experience itself. You are doing so well thankfully. Take care.

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