Sunday, June 26, 2011

Lightening Strikes and More about Stroke Journey

The weatherman held out hope for a good rain last week. Instead we got a tiny bit of moisture and major thunder and lightening. (Why does it feel right to say thunder first when the order of occurrence is lightening then thunder?) We also experienced a fried modem. That was about 3 days ago, and hubby has had a new modem almost that long.


The brand he picked up has complicated instructions that include directions for accessing the user's guide . . . ONLINE!


That said, I am posting this at Coffee Fusion, one of our favorite spots for stroke recovery community integrative therapy. I expect to eventually get back to posting and visiting blogs, but a camping trip to the Smoky Mountains, sans Wi-Fi, is also in the works. At outpatient therapy Thursday June 23, my physical therapist tried preparing me for encountering uneven ground in the nation's most visited national park.  She had me stepping over (with great trepidation and concentration on my part) and walking around obstacles.


The trade-offs  between not over-thinking movements and maintaining concentration is still a work in progress. Laughter, while good medicine, is a big distraction. Yesterday, on our way back to our van after a trip to visit my mother in Hattiesburg, we proceeded fairly steadily, although definitely not elegantly, I with my wide canvas belt on with Walter holding on in case I lost balance and failed to recover on my own.


Until this outing we have had no problems. Then it happened, I can't remember now what hubby said. It was hysterically funny at the time. I cracked up, and would have literally cracked up had Walter not had hold of that belt. I still couldn't recover, but he had me. He grabbed me around the waist and  set me back on my feet.


Good save! Hooray for my favorite comedian!

10 comments:

  1. so i need to remember this in case i ever get a belt, do not laugh while walking. so glad he caught you and you both have a wonderful sense of humor.
    glad you liked my little vue baby and i did not notice the color thing with the grapes, so went back to view and you are right perfect match,
    we moved to KY from savannah in 1952 when i was 10, I fit right in with the hillbillies and so much love it their. in the middle of 9th grade jan of 59 we moved back to Savannah and i was so miserable in school i could hardly stand myself. i married right out of school thinking that would make life better, married someone i did not love which did not work and had 2 children right away, i ended up divorced in 1980 and total misery until 84 when I moved to FL and met my husband Bob, since then the years have been happy, very happy, but my memories of child hood in KY are so fond because of all the other years of misery. now though i have had 27 happy years here in FL

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  2. I am so glad you have that belt!! And you are doing so well! I need a belt like that, I am really slow going, with Phil holding on the me the whole time. Uneven ground is bad, I have to watch every step and feel carefully.

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  3. I'm so glad you have that belt, that's what I need. I am slow going, holding onto Phil the whole time. You are continuing to do so well!! Uneven ground is hard for me, be careful on the camping trip, I hope you have fun!

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  4. marcia beat me to it. I was also thinking how special your guy is. First to tickle you then to rescue you. What a guy.

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  5. Linda: It was so good to see you and Walter today. The visit was bittersweet. The SWEET, of course, is you and Walter. I don't have to tell YOU what the BITTER is. I should have been there for you. I can't believe I was not there for you when you needed me most. Aaarrrggghhh! We are boarding now. Just know how much I love you!

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  6. Now you got me wondering, exactly where is the nation's most visited park? I will have to reread this carefully to see if I can find the answer. I am easily distracted. Good thing you had a belt on to keep you safe from tree roots always found on those park trails. The out-of-doors is good therapy. Dianne

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  7. Sandra and Ginny, just so you know, the belt is not a fashion choice . Got it in rehab and it has loops sticking out on back and sides for someone to hold on to when I am supposed to NOT be attempting solo mobility. Sandra, thanks for sharing your happy ending journey!

    Treva, No guilt trips allowed. That would be too many vacations in one summer! Couldn't you tell that you appeared exactly when I needed you most! I hardly let you and Brian eat your lunch for my yakking! That visit was a blessing.

    In hospital and rehab I was in that barely conscious "sea of tranquility." And when I surfaced, I was in an environment where I and my fellow rehabbers were the center of universe. Even our tiniest steps forward were celebrated. Those encouraging steps and celebrations still occur but there are also the challenges at home, daily encountering what I cannot do. So you were such good medicine. Sometimes you don't have to do anything to be a blessing but be yourself!

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  8. Marcia and Patti,Thanks for visits and comments. One unintended consequence is that hubby is checking my blog more regularly now now!

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  9. Isn't it wonderful to have a good man standing with you in life--to make you laugh, or catch you when you start to fall? Yay for you and Walter!

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  10. You are an inspiration. Your husband is a gift. I love that he makes you laugh and catches you when you fall. May God continue to take you on a healing journey.

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