Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

When I was a child the first time I saw a TV remote I was mesmerized. I was shocked that you didn't have to walk to the TV to change a channel. This was in the late 60s. When I bought my first TV when I was about 20, the cost to have a TV with a remote was very expensive.  Fast forward to today's TVs and remotes, it is a given to have a TV remote. TVs, technology, and remotes are expected. They "are" like air and water. Working a T V remote is "rote." Definition of "Rote:  1 : The use of memory usually with little intelligence; learn by rote.” It is a very simple yet obscure word. When you have a stroke, the meaning of rote -- "memory usually with little intelligence" -- doesn't tell the whole story. The first inkling I had about my stroke that early morning when it happened, I could not turn on the TV with the remote. "How odd," I thought! I used a TV remote thousands of times before. When the stroke...

It is hard to believe that my strokes happened almost two and a half years ago. Sometimes, it is a distant reality. However, most of the time, this is a vivid and startling reality even now. When I wake up in the morning, I have to realize that this is NOT a dream. So, how am I doing? It depends. I continue to be grateful for my recovery. Every day, I know that it could have been so much worse. On the other hand, I still have invisible deficits. I participate in many stroke support groups because, until you have a stroke, no one can really understand the ramifications of strokes, recovery, and deficits. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have insightful information about “Life After a Stroke.” Their website is http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/stroke/lifeafter.html The intro says “ The time it takes to recover from a stroke varies—it can take weeks, months, or even years. Some people recover fully, while others have long-term or lifelong...

I was lucky to have two fathers: My “real” dad and my stepfather. When I think of Father’s Day, I have several examples of a “father.” My Dad was a complicated individual. Even though I lived with my dad for 8 years, I did not really know him. Sometimes, the memories are great. Often, the memories are nonexistent or bad because I was scared of him. Perhaps that was normal because he was the disciplinarian. When my parents were divorced and Dad moved to Boise, several weekends a year and during the summers, Dad and I were forced to have a relationship. There were some rough patches in those early days, but I found out that I loved my Dad. Even now, when I make scrambled eggs, watching cartoons, BBQ’ing, etc, I think of my Dad. He became like a great wonderful older brother to me. My step father was my “real” father. When my mom married my step father, I was 8 years old. The comparing of fathering styles was evident. My dad used a belt to enforce his rules. My stepfath...

Growing up in the 70's, usually I had a great sun tan. No sunscreen at all. I remember getting a base burn followed by baby oil.   Also I had blonde hair and blue eyes. So I was predisposed to have skin cancer. I've had surgery for skin cancer and I've had countless appointments with my dermatologist freezing off skin cancer issues just to be safe.  This week I had a check up, and they froze off a lot of concerning skin cancer issues. Only three stitches today! I thought I was bulletproof. Now sunscreen is my friend!

I have rarely watched “Mad Men.” I do not have the time, and sometimes, the story set in the 60’s is sad for me. I was born in 1961. When I was born, it was a simpler time. By the end of the decade, everything was different. The world was different. Assassinations. Political  upheavals. Vietnam. Czechoslovakia. I remember being scared about the world. Personally, it was a difficult time also. My parents got divorced when I was 8. My dad moved from Twin Falls to Boise. Our last Christmas in our shattered family was December 25, 1969. We opened Christmas presents, and when we were finished, our dad drove way in that morning in his Buick station wagon.   My world crumbled. This morning, I happened to watch “Mad Men” and the episode when Don Draper and his wife told their kids they would be divorcing was awful to watch. It was also at Christmas time. Their little boy was about 8 years old, and he sobbed. He held his dad tightly. The scene dissolved...