Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

A very insightful article about strokes and broken relationships. Every stroke survivor has similar stories. http://m.brainline.org/content/content.php?id=679

About five years ago, my step father suffered a minor stroke. I rushed to Twin Falls to be with him and my mom.  The neurologist made Karl do several tests. My mom and the neurologist left to talk. I held Karl's hand, and he mumbled "it's tough to get old." Karl was very athletic and vibrant. However, almost overnight he got old. He was diagnosed with macular degeneration and then started to wear hearing aids. I still have a picture of Karl showing our son the lighted magnifying that Karl used in a vain attempt to read. The loss of his hearing plus his eyesight was devastating. It seemed it was it was a 10 year long struggle to the death. When Karl had his stroke (maybe more), I didn't really comprehend what a stroke meant. When my strokes happened, I realized the horrible affects. Karl not only had a stroke and perhaps a heart attack, he had to deal with loss of eyesight and hearing. No wonder was so depressed. Because of my strokes,

For months I have been plagued with earaches. I saw several PAs and finally my doctor. The PAs essentially said, "You have a virus but it'll get better." It did not. I was prescribed an antibiotic to get better. It did not get better. When I finally saw my doctor he laughed and said, "Wow! Your left ear is a mess!" Really.... Finally I saw an ear doctor and then an ear specialist/surgeon. It seems I have " Cholesteatoma  is a destructive and expanding growth consisting of keratinizing  squamous epithelium  in the middle ear and/or  mastoid process . Although cholesteatomas are not classified as either tumors or  cancers , they can still cause significant problems because of their erosive and expansile properties resulting in the destruction of the bones of the middle ear ( ossicles ), as well as their possible spread through the  base of the skull  into the brain. They are also often infected and can result in chronically draining

On Friday I'm undergoing minor ear surgery. It's not a big deal until you have to take blood thinners like Plavix. I take Plavix.  Sunday morning, I quit taking Plavix on Dr.'s orders. Lots of doctors! Instead, through Sunday to Friday morning I inject myself twice a day with Lovenox. The syringes are small.  The needles are about a half inch.  Using blood thinners makes people bruise easily. However, injecting myself with Lovenox is a different story! Throughout the week I will inject myself nine times. This bruise resulted from three injections. On the other side of my abdomen, I have similar bruises. To make it even better (or worse), when I get out of surgery it seems my head will be wrapped. My son laughed, and said, "Just like a dog, you'll be wearing the cone of shame." The Saturday Market downtown, Boise State's first home game and Art in the Park. Great timing. Calgon - or anesthesia - take me away!