Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

I really never knew my grandmother. I kinda knew her from a distance  I saw here maybe about 5 or six times. My mother did not know her until she was 22 years old. But, my point about all of this is MY medical history.  The stroke was much unexpected. There was no family history, but last night I remembered that my grandmother died on her 66 th birthday and the cause was a cerebral hemorrhage.  Mom said that she told her other daughters that she would die that day--  and she did!   So, is there a hereditary condition? Who knows. I often wonder about adoptions.  How would you know about your medical history? For my brothers and me, I do know about our family history I guess. My Dad’s family history is the usual stuff. Grandpa Selmer had cancer and died at 77. Grandma Agnes had the “Robertson Disease” (her maiden name) but the common name is Alzheimer’s.  My dad has liver disease and died at 63 like his brother who died at 63 succumbing because of liver disease.  His c

One of the most interesting things about my stroke is relearning everything. Tying my shoes. Using a belt. Using hairspray – assuming I have hair! Using tooth paste. Using a knife properly was a cautionary dilemma for me!  These very commonplace tasks are a struggle for me. So the gift that keeps giving is that I have to concentrate for even the most mundane tasks! Here is the clinical definition:     Apraxia is a disorder of the brain and nervous system in which a person is unable to perform tasks or movements when asked, even though: ·          The request or command is understood ·          They are willing to perform the task ·          The muscles needed to perform the task work properly ·          The task may have already been learned Other forms of apraxia include: ·          Ideational apraxia: Cannot carry out learned complex tasks in the proper order, such as putting on socks before putting on shoes . I am grateful that this is getting better. But o

I had a wakeup call yesterday. I great friend said something like “buck up!  Yes, you had a devastating thing happen but I am still living capable of doing great things with your life. And, this wasn't my tragedy. It was everyone's tragedy because we all love you.” My stroke happened almost 10 months ago, and I do have a lot to be thankful for. Most of my doctors told me that I would get better, but they said I probably would be disabled for life. That was devastating news, but it gave me incentive to tell them “F.U.” I have good and bad days like anyone, but life is good. I have my family and friends. I have options for my future, and many stroke “victims” do not. Granted, people really do not know about what I am going through. It is lonely sometimes. Frustrating? Certainly! But, life dealt a big blow to me. I think that I am handling it well considering what happened to me, but I also know that I have a great support system. Most people don’t have that kind of

Language is key for me. I love to write and read.   It is fundamental for my soul. I cannot imagine my life without communication, words, reading the great books and thoughts. But one of the most devastating things about my stroke is the loss of my inner voice that is my “thought.” I used to read so fast. I used write to fast. It is ironic that my “voice” is stilled because of my stroke. I was great in math, art, etc. School was really easy for me.   I cannot do a lot of things like I used, but, really, who cares about math! I do care about reading and writing. It is the essence of my being. And, I thought it would kill me even if I recovered from my stroke. It is getting better. The fact that I am blogging again is the testament that I am recovering. I must be patient. I want to read and write right NOW! But, my body is a mystery to me, and I must wait and let nature take its course. Last night, I noticed my cupboard door in my bathroom. I actually forgot that I practi