Same as it ever was

When I had my two strokes more than 13 years ago, I was 50 years old.

In the ensuing years I’ve had some health issues related to my strokes and other assorted “age related” things.

In May of 2023, I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. As a result I have endured two years of pain and the resulting lack of exercise.

That summer I tried to walk regularly but my heel pain was too extreme. I tried to do exercises to relieve the pain but nothing helped. In September of 2023 I asked my doctor to give me a shot of Cortizone. We were headed to Boston for meetings and then headed to Maine. I just wanted to enjoy the trip without pain.

It helped a lot. Six months later I had the same pain. I went to an orthopedic doctor who prescribed minor physical therapy. It worked for a bit and then the pain got worse.

In September of 2024, my regular doctor gave me another round of Cortizone shots so I could travel to Phoenix. It really helped. For a while.

In February of 2025, the pain got worse. I went to another doctor who prescribed intense physical therapy. I did two months of expensive physical therapy and it helped.

After that I bought exercise equipment such as a slant board to continue with my physical therapy on my heel. The physical therapist said I should start to walk again.

At the same time because of the lack of exercise, I gained about 25 pounds which certainly exacerbated my pain because I’ve gotten heavier.

The physical therapist also was concerned that my Achilles tendon was inflamed.

Despite all of that effort the pain got worse. I asked my doctor to do another round of Cortizone shots and he declined. Instead he sent me to a podiatrist put me in a cast for six weeks. On Monday they took off the cast. The podiatrist was concerned that I might have gotten a blood clot because there were some unexpected pain and bruising.

That afternoon was spent at my old home Saint Al’s to get an ultrasound. Turns out that I did not get a blood clot which is wonderful given my history of strokes.

On the other hand the podiatrist is making me wear a very cumbersome knee-high sturdy boot for two months. If this doesn’t fix my issue surgery is the next step

Of course I have to laugh about the definition of “my issues.” It has been 13 years of health issues, therapy of every kind, recovery and more setbacks.

I feel bad for my wife who has to deal with all of my “shit.” We’re going to celebrate Our 25th anniversary in December. I’ve realized that most of our marriage has been Heather taken care of me.

I’m physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted and forlorn. Sometimes it’s tough too not give up.

Comments

Phantom Blindness and Taking a Break after Strokes

I met with my eye doctor last week about taking some time off from my vision therapy. I have been doing therapy since my stroke almost two and a half years ago. I am tired, and a need a break. My doctor said, “This is completely understandable. Take some time off.” At the appointment, my doctor tested my vision. Because of the strokes, my vision was affected, and I have a problem in my field of vision on the right side. I have a deficit with my right side peripheral vision. However, it is getting better. During the test, I told him that I “sense things on the right side of my peripheral vision.” It seems that I know that something is there, but I cannot really distinguish what it is. He told me that there is a body of thought describing phantom vision or phantom blindness. A Polish researcher, L. Bieganowski, described this phantom blindness this way: “The subject of the paper is the phenomenon of phantom vision. It occurs among the blind (or almost blind...

What is wrong with us! A lot: Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria

This morning, from 10:30 to Noon, at St. Lukes in Meridian Idaho, I participated in the “Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria Support Group” started a year ago through Idaho State University. We meet weekly. So, what is wrong with us? Aphasia is the name given to a collection of language disorders caused by damage to the brain. A requirement for a diagnosis of aphasia is that, prior to the illness or injury, the person's language skills were normal. The difficulties of people with aphasia can range from occasional trouble finding words to losing the ability to speak, read, or write, but does not affect intelligence. This also affects visual language such as sign language . The term "aphasia" implies a problem with one or more functions that are essential and specific to language function. It is not usually used when the language problem is a result of a more peripheral motor or sensory difficulty, such as paralysis affecting the speech muscles or a general hear...

January

January 10th was the 13th anniversary of my first stroke. After 18 days in the hospital (including my second massive stroke were I lost almost everything) we celebrated my son’s seventh birthday. I wanted to celebrate my son‘s birthday but I had no idea the sensory overload would cause. The flashing lights, the unbearable noise of the crowds and the music, and loud conversations caused me to panic. In the midst of my brain damaged confusion, I had to go to the bathroom. At that point I really didn’t know how to navigate the restaurant even though I had been there many times. I didn’t know the concept of letters and I didn’t know what “men” and “women” were on the doors. My little son gripped my hand and said, “Daddy… I will take you to the bathroom.” Stumbling through the crowded restaurant I was scared. My son guided me to the proper door and asked if I needed any more help. After I finished I came out and he grabbed my hand and took me back to the booth. In January this year, We cele...

Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

Search This Blog