Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

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Phil Batt was a REAL Republican

Last week, former Idaho governor Phil Batt died on his 96th birthday. He was a hero and mentor to me. I met Governor Batt when he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1982. Future US Senator and Governor Dirk Kempthorne was Batt’s campaign manager. During that campaign, Dirk called me to ask if I would run the “Get Out the Vote for Batt” at Boise State University. I met Dirk through my older brothers. During that election season, I met so many top Republicans manning phone banks, stuffing envelopes, knocking on doors, etc. I learned a lot about Idaho politics and government. The highlight was when Batt would come to the office to chat. When Batt lost that election by 4,208 votes, I was crushed. It still stings. Both Batt and Kempthorne actually consoled ME! They gave me a lesson about humility, grace and defeat. Two years later, both Batt and Kempthorne wrote letters of recommendations when I applied to be the Assistant Lobbyist for the Idaho Association of REALTORS®. About a year later,

Today is January 4, 2023. I have not updated my blog for months. I am trying to restart my blogging efforts. 2022 was the worst year since 2012 when I had my strokes and my parents died. 2022 was filled with illness, death and loss of friendships. At least a year ago, I discovered that my blog was too visible. It was too personal and some people were reading my blog for political reasons. I simply had to stop for a while. This year I am committed to blog at least once a month. I will see how it goes.

I have COVID-19

I tested “positive” for COVID-19 on October 25th. Today is my last day of quarantine. My family tested negative. I was fully vaccinated plus I got the Pfizer booster. Because of the vaccine and the booster, I dodged a bullet. We were incredibly careful during the pandemic. Yet I was infected somewhere. I notified anybody who could’ve contacted me when I was contagious. Given my medical history, my Covid-19 infection could have been so much worse. Having cerebrovascular disease, such as having a stroke, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Luckily I did not have to go to the hospital. Hospitals throughout Idaho are allowed to ration medical care as the state expands its “crisis standards of care” criteria in the face of overwhelming coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Nearly all of these patients are not vaccinated. I am so grateful to my wife Heather. As always, Heather is the uber caregiver.

Limitations?

In the book “Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah” author Richard Bach wrote “Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they’re yours.” Yesterday during a Zoom meeting, I turned down the opportunity to chair a worthwhile statewide organization. It was a huge and humbling honor to be asked. Unfortunately, because of ongoing health issues related to my stroke and aphasia, I turned down the opportunity to serve. It’s the right decision. Yet I am simply sad about “what could’ve been.” Are my limitations real or just a perception? I talk a good game.

Why don’t you blog anymore?

Last week, a close friend of mine ask me why I haven’t blogged for a long time. I was startled for several reasons. First of all, I didn’t think that anyone would notice. I started my blog a long time ago to keep track of memories of my son. The focus of my blog turned 180 degrees when my strokes happened. I struggle to retain some semblance of “me”” My blog was a way to express myself. As I struggled to write missing words, prepositions, and thoughts, my blog was homework because my therapists mandated that I start to blog again. It helped me to express my innermost demons and fears. I was embarrassed later when a reporter did a feature about me using my blog as a source. As I emerged from my brain fog which took several years, I realized that I needed to be more careful choosing my words. People were reading my blog. Later, using my blog, I announced my reelection campaign for a seat on the board of the College of Western Idaho. It was a useful tool for me to

Cat on a hot tin roof

One of my favorite plays is “A Cat On a Hot Tin Roof.” I’ve always enjoyed Tennessee Williams writings. Often there is an anti-hero who speaks bitter truth. In the tortured souls of his characters, he often exposes the dark side of life. In 1958, Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman filmed the screen adaption of the play. It’s a great movie even though in the 50s era they had to sanitize the realities Williams words. I have often blogs about my headaches. My last post was in anticipation of my third Botox treatment. As I write this blog post, I’m sitting in the dark in the middle of the night with a headache. If I should take the Norco or just tough it out. Newman’s character “Brick” had a confrontation with his father about secrets and “mendacity.” Brick stressed alcohol is the only way to deal with the stress of living. As I contemplate this pain, this line in the play/movie resonates to me “Like a switch clicking off in my head. Turns the hot light off and th