My stroke was 10 months ago, and I am eager to get better.
"Getting better" is relative because I have a long way to go. I have
had 160 therapy session so far (speech, vision and occupational) plus
massage therapy and acupuncture. I was partially paralyzed in my right arm.
When I got out of
the hospital -- 18 days! -- I was so scared. I was in a fog. I was in a daze.
But, I slowly got
some focus. "Focus" in the sense, that I was tired in every
way. My words lacked focus. My vision lacked focus...literally! I was
unsteady because I thought I would fall.
I had to learn
everything again. Oven? What was an oven? Light switches. Electrical outlets.
Shaving. Showering. Tying my shoes. Driving -- not that I am driving even now!
My standard answer
when I am asked, "I am getting better." And, I am.
But, I realize
that I need a lot of time to recover. For example, in April, one
of my therapists said I must return my blog. The problem was, I could
not read or write! That was a problem....
I had to
write four sentences a day every day. Initially,
my sentences consisted of three of four words.
I was resigned
about my fate. A writer that could not write. A speaker
that could not speak. An educator that could not teach. On and on.
So, I was scared
not just because of my health, but because most people don't know how to deal
with stroke "victims."
Some people think
that I will get immediately get better. "A few weeks of therapy and go
back to work."
Some people think
that I am a "cripple."
Some friends were
supportive. Some "dropped" me -- and my family.
The reaction runs
that gambit.
The intent is to
be "normal." I have always be a busy guy, so, I am striving to be
busy and normal. I am a very driven person so today I am trying to replace one set of priorities for another. I
do not have "job," my new "profession" is trying what to do
next.
I am not sure what
I will do, but I am doing everything that I can to be "normal."
So, I have been going to a LOT of meetings. I went to Sun
Valley for the AGC convention. I went to the Governor’s Cup.
This month, I went
to the Idaho Association of Realtors convention in Coeur d'Alene followed two days later
with a trip to Boston for the College of Western Idaho. Then, I did a
series of conference calls plus some very intense
political discussions.
What learned
recently, I AM kinda tired!
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