Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

My parents got married on February 28, 1970 when I was eight years old. They were wonderful parents to me and they were married for 43 years until they passed away 13 days apart in September of 2012. Happy Anniversary! I miss them a lot. 

When I used to visit my Grandmother Agnes Dunham in Kalispell, Montana, I remember her telling me that she had “floaties” in her eyes. She described it as “the gel in the eyes have ‘floaties’ meaning there are dark spots in the eyes.” She continued describing the condition saying it is “like having a piece of lint on a camera lens.” For some reason, I have always remembered her description. I have always had “floaties.” I have always ignored them but if I concentrate, I can see my floaties. Because of my strokes and the loss of vision on my right side, I am very conscious about my eyes. When I first had symptoms  before my strokes, I had 7 of what I thought were migraines. My vision on my left side seemed wavy and on the right side, on the top I had auras like the Northern Lights.     I now know that those headaches and auras are classic signs that you might have a stroke. Even though I had an MRI because I was concerned, they did not find anything, and I had my first stro

It's been one month since my seizure, and I am trying to figure out how to deal with the side effects of the anti-seizure medication. First day the doctors prescribed Keppra. I didn't like the side effects including sores in my mouth, being dizzy, feeling like I was buzzed like a drunk, and a kind of weakness in my arms. That week I complained to my doctors about side effects. The doctor said that Keppra is the best new drug they like to use. I was adamant to change. Reluctantly they prescribed Dilantin but I had to wean off of Keppra. I have been reading about the side effects of Keppra and Dilantin. The two things that I noticed right away: I have tremors in my hands and tremors in my eyelids.  I continue to be plagued with weakness with my limbs most notably on my right arm where I was paralyzed initially after the stroke happened. When I was shaving this morning, it was difficult because of the tremors. Yesterday, my son asked me to help him to let retrofit a Nerf

Our son experienced his first major concert last weekend: Imagine Dragons.  This was basically his 9 th birthday present, and he danced the night away! My wife often works concerts for the BSU Taco Bell Arena, and she arranged that he had the opportunity to meet the band!  I could not go with him because of my recent seizure, and I am grateful that my wife could take him. I think that will be a wonderful memory for them. My first real concert when I was 10 was the Carpenters on the College of Southern Idaho campus. My stepdad was the Baldwin Piano dealer, and he tuned the Carpenters piano. We had great seats! Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to attend so many great concerts: Journey, the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Loverboy, Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick, Rod Stewart,  Pat Benatar , Elton John, Bryan Adams, Joan Jett, Heart, Dolly Parton, John Mellancamp, the Cowsills (sorry….I had no choice and I was a kid), Cheap Trick

Just over two years ago, I had two strokes.  Now, I had a seizure about two weeks ago.  Those brain incidents have caused me to reassess my life in so many ways. I never thought about my mortality. I knew of course that I would die someday, but the concept of my demise was so foreign to me. I thought I would be much older. I thought I would be healthy throughout my life with some life-ending issues at the end of my life.  I assumed I would have great health for a long time and enjoy my retirement with a full life of travel and hobbies like woodworking and writing. My wife and I would drive cross country in a motor home. We would travel to Europe. We would enjoy our son who was a gift when he was born when we were in our early forties. I had so many dreams about helping him with homework, exploring the possibilities of life, coaching his teams, and telling all that I have learned in my life. But now, reality is setting in. Certainly, I am “getting better.” Everyone includin