Almost an anniversary
Today marks ten months since my stroke. I don’t know how best to take stock. I’m full of energy and enthusiasm and ambition and I’m impatient to heal. It’s my inability to move as fast as I’d like or get as much done as I’…
Reclaiming the Future
Confusion intended. I’ve started a personal project to clean out many of the boxes in my basement. My aid lugs a box upstairs, I go through the contents—throw out what I can, mostly because it should have been thrown out long ago or I can’t see myself…
A Victory
Yesterday I sent to a printer the formatted copy of the program for a Toastmasters conference. The job is the first I’ve taken on since the stroke and I’m pretty pleased with the results. Actually, since I just wanted to see if I could deal with a formal…
Reinforcement
Made a visit to an ophthalmologist yesterday (should have done it before the stroke) and received a good report. My prescription needs only tweaking and I don't have to make a follow-up visit for two years. That two years sounded awfully good to me. I think it'…
Winds of Change
A new home aid—helps me with bathing, dressing, walking, and meals—is scheduled to start with us tomorrow. Some disagreement came up between my wife and the aid who had been with us for a while. Though it seemed sudden, I think something had been simmering between the two…
A Milestone
Except for last Saturday, which is a little more than a week, last week was pretty routine and unexceptional. I didn’t have to go out for any appointments, and I stayed pretty close to home. But there was a milestone last Saturday—I went to Kennedy Center for the…
On Therapists
Among the many people who have taken part in my recovery, I have a really special regard for therapists. I’ve worked with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, a neuropsychologist, and a vocational counselor. I don’t know how these people do it. First off, they have incredible skills…
why rewiring
I don't know who said it to me, but somebody told me early on that recovering from a stroke is like rewiring your brain. A stroke is a brain accident. Bleeding or clotting damages part of the brain, and the site of the damage and the extent determine…