Everyone has special things they remember, the first kiss, marriage,birth of a child, stroke and the list goes on. Yes I said stroke. So, a year ago today I had a stroke. I woke up that morning feeling tired, but it was early and I had to get to work. I poured myself a coffee and noticed when I went to drink I dribbled a bit. Nothing major I remember thinking "how stupid, I never spill"... I did feel that my left arm was weak, kinda like a pulled muscle, no strength. My left leg was dragging, but again I thought it was my bad knee, you know the one I messed up riding my daughters longboard while being pulled by two standard poodles. Yea, that knee.
I drove myself to work, Yep, I DROVE TO WORK, 42 miles folks. In the parking lot I did notice my leg dragging more, but not worried. In the building I was trying to do some paperwork and I was talking to the maintenance man. He noticed my slurred speech and went for help. Our receiver came out to see, she asked me to stick out my tongue and immediately called an ambulance.
So there it is, events of a year ago. In the past year I have fought back from almost immobility to almost complete recovery. A lot of hard work, and alot of prayers from all over the world. I can not ever Thank everyone enough for that. I have found out in the past year that stroke is more common than we know, and the population having them is getting younger. I can count 4 people I know under 55.
Something that all the doctors rehab and therapists kept telling me that in one year I will be where I will be. Meaning that my recovery will pretty much end at that time. So I have spent much of the day contemplating that. And here is where I am. My left arm is weaker, but still functions. My typing is not as neat as it was. But, you will have to deal with that. I have tingling left in my lips, and I still drag my leg when I get tired.. Everything is magnified when I am tired. I still have asphasia, due to my voice box not closing all he way. So that is what I am physically left with. I am also left with a wife who sat by my bed for hours, and is still by my side. A daughter whose undying never wavering affection keeps me strong. An extended family who still watches over me and prays for me. A workplace that supported me, stood by me, and waited for me to return.
I think I am one lucky guy.
I drove myself to work, Yep, I DROVE TO WORK, 42 miles folks. In the parking lot I did notice my leg dragging more, but not worried. In the building I was trying to do some paperwork and I was talking to the maintenance man. He noticed my slurred speech and went for help. Our receiver came out to see, she asked me to stick out my tongue and immediately called an ambulance.
So there it is, events of a year ago. In the past year I have fought back from almost immobility to almost complete recovery. A lot of hard work, and alot of prayers from all over the world. I can not ever Thank everyone enough for that. I have found out in the past year that stroke is more common than we know, and the population having them is getting younger. I can count 4 people I know under 55.
Something that all the doctors rehab and therapists kept telling me that in one year I will be where I will be. Meaning that my recovery will pretty much end at that time. So I have spent much of the day contemplating that. And here is where I am. My left arm is weaker, but still functions. My typing is not as neat as it was. But, you will have to deal with that. I have tingling left in my lips, and I still drag my leg when I get tired.. Everything is magnified when I am tired. I still have asphasia, due to my voice box not closing all he way. So that is what I am physically left with. I am also left with a wife who sat by my bed for hours, and is still by my side. A daughter whose undying never wavering affection keeps me strong. An extended family who still watches over me and prays for me. A workplace that supported me, stood by me, and waited for me to return.
I think I am one lucky guy.
