Life Changes

Surviving my stroke was a life changing event. Its been almost five years, I will always remember July 26, 2017. This blog tells about my physical and mental struggles with my survival, now I think it’s time to focus on the other changes my surviving brought.

Confession

 A Facebook post from me:

 ”I have to confess! I like playing games on my phone all day. One day months ago my phone/Google saved my credit card number, I didn't realize it at the time. When I noticed it I thought oh well the damage is done (to all my cyber friends, I knew I wasn't following secure procedures).

This made it very easy to charge for extra lives, etc. Last month I charged over $100 on Google Play. I was so ashamed with myself, what a waste of money!

So I deleted my credit card from my phone/Google. This way if I charge anything on my phone I have to get up, get my credit card out of my purse and don't save the number. Believe me I won't do that, I'm lazy!”

Veteran Patient!

My latest stay in hospitals was 3 weeks. My dad says I always go all in! I broke my right ankle (weak side of my body) Christmas night. I was transferring from my recliner to my wheelchair, lost my balance and fell. After that I just went to bed and didn’t think I hurt myself. I didn’t sleep very much that night because of the throbbing. Next morning Walter called EMS I knew something was wrong.

A Lapband and a Stroke!

On February 6, 2012 I had bariatric surgery, lapband. I lost 80 pounds in 8 months. I kept the weight off for 5 years, then I had a stroke.

The Old Way

When will we get back to normal? I’ve asked that question a lot these past three years. I used to work, drive, garden, knit, crochet, cook, etc… That was the old way “normal” three years ago. Now “normal” is staying at home every day, a ride on my scooter to check the garden, watching my husband do all the house chores I can’t do. When I first realized my limitations I was grieving losing the old way. I had to create a new way “normal”, and I did just that.

Don’t be Stressed!

These are trying times! The one thing I have to say is don’t stress. When people are given a medical situation and don’t know what to do, they stress.

I like to do Chores!

I know what you are thinking, so before you order me a strait jacket let me explain.

I’m Blessed

I’m blessed I survived my stroke and all the medical complications. I just saw a video of me from two years ago when I was walking with my physical therapist. I was shocked at how unstable I was. I couldn’t stand up without someone holding me. I have changed so much in 2 ½ years. Just the other day, I stood and hugged my mom when we were leaving my parents’ house, and she said, “I forgot how tall you are.”

My Stepdaughter Turns 20 Today!

I am so very proud of Gillian. But this blog isn’t about her, it’s about me. Am I a good stepmother, did I give her good advice, did she like me? Step parenting is different than parenting and being a step parent without any children of your own is not easy. I couldn’t tell you how many times I cried on Walters shoulder over the years.

What does a stroke feel like?

I had a friend ask me that and I wonder how many other people want to know. I don’t remember the stroke itself but I remember the hour or so before, I was having pains in my stomach (I thought it was my lapband). I went to the emergency room, they couldn’t figure it out until my nurse saw my face drooping and said she’s having a stroke. All hell broke out.

Two Year Funk!

This is my two year anniversary being a stroke survivor. I am thankful to say that I survived a massive stroke. Unfortunately, I’m in a funk, both physically and mentally. I’m hoping writing this blog will help me rekindle my spirits.

Thank you to my husband!

Today is our tenth wedding anniversary and I want to say a couple of things about my wonderful husband. I found having a stable and sane head around is a blessing. Let me explain.

Handicap Parking

On Tuesday afternoon, Walter and I went to Walmart. To our surprise, all the handicap parking spots were taken (about 20 of them). We had to park in a spot away from other cars because I needed room to get in my wheelchair. No walking for me because it was too far. Since all the handicap spots were taken, I assumed I would see a lot of physically handicapped people in Walmart (at least 20), but I didn’t. No people in wheelchairs, no people with canes, and I only saw one person riding a powered cart. What have we become? I blame the government and doctors for the problem.

Year-End Medical Report

I had check-up appointments with all of my doctors to get a year-end report of how I’m doing medically. I see all my doctors every six months.

A bit of advice - I get all my prescriptions from one doctor (my primary) and suggest everyone should. I have so many, it’s hard to keep track of them all (3 for blood pressure alone). I print the medicine list from my patient portal whenever I go to other doctors. 

I’m Done!

I’m done with therapy. I appreciate & love all the therapists that worked with me throughout my recovery. I know I wasn’t always the easy loveable patient that I portray now. Rehab Without Walls discharged me after five months, and I told my therapists that I was going to take some time off from therapy. My therapists got me to agree to resume outpatient physical therapy after one month. But I don’t want to do it. I talked to all my doctors, and as long as I continue walking and working my arm as much as I do, I won’t need therapy. (Even Dr. Urquidez said this!)

Showing Our Age!

Do you know what a Big Chief Tablet is? Did you use one in school? If you answered yes to either one of these questions, you are showing your age, too.

One Year Later!

It has been one year today since I had my stroke. What a year too! Everything has changed, and not only myself. Walter has changed, my parents have changed, and my brothers have changed. The biggest change, other than me, is Walter. He says he is not a caregiver, but he is wrong.

Shout Out to DPS

I have to give a shout out to Texas Department of Public Safety, they treat disabled people with respect and give them tickets that put you first.

Disability or Bust!

I had no income and I needed some, so I decided to apply for disability income from the Social Security Administration. I heard a lot of bad stories about how applications weren’t approved the first time around and that people almost always had to appeal denials. Armed with my discharge papers from all three hospitals, I was ready for a fight.

Wake up Walter!

It was hard getting use to sleeping in my own bed. Our bedroom is now downstairs off the back porch.