Love, love, love Kenny Chesney's and Dave Matthews' new release "I'm Alive". What a FABULOUS song.
And it is the perfect song for me today - November 17. You see, November 17 always surprises me. This morning, I started a new job. After 18 months and 1 week as one of the millions of unemployed workers in this country, imagine my surprise that when I finally found a job (not just any job either, a job I wanted with a great company!) and was given a start date of November 17. On a Tuesday. Not a Monday. A Tuesday. The 17th...of November.
Five years ago today - on November 17th - I suffered a stroke. In fact, 5 years ago at this very moment, I was laying in the critical care unit of the ER. Among other things, my right hand would not move. Here I am, 5 years later, typing with that hand. And, if you didn't know to look for subtle cues, you probably wouldn't be able to tell that I ever had a stroke. Five years ago at this time, I kept thinking "I'm alive!".
Four years ago today - on November 17th - I had emergency surgery. In fact, 4 years ago at this very moment, I was laying in recovery. But, the results came back with good news and two weeks later, I was as good as new. Four years ago at this time, I kept thinking "I'm well!".
You might thing that for the last 3 November 17ths I hid under my covers. Nope. Didn't do that. Instead, I celebrated. If the date fell on a work day, I took it off as a holiday. My personal day of celebration of life. Nothing particularly fabulous happened on those November 17th...but then again, I didn't spend of any of them in a hospital so I was waaaaaay ahead of the game.
Then there's this year. A new job. Another new journey to take. Another celebration!
It's November 17th...and I'm alive...and well!
Showing posts with label stroke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stroke. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
BetterU - A Challenge
WARNING - there may be some indelicacies in what you read below!
Okay gang, we're eleven days into a Better Us. Now is about the time that folks start to lose interest, best intentions start to wane, and cookies find their way into the house. BUT just think, you are 1/3 of the way to developing solid, new habits! They say that if you do something for a month, it will become a habit. So hang on for another 2 1/2 weeks and you'll be golden!!
But those darn cookies... I'm going to issue you a challenge that will have you reaching the other way. We all have our reasons for joining BetterU. Somewhere along your list, I'm sure, is to get and/or stay healthy. But what does that really mean? Time to make it real.
Take 24 hours and imagine you had a stroke. Whatever hand you are, use the other hand - and only the other hand - for 24 hours. Do everything that you would normally have to do during a "normal" day. And YES (here it comes - indelicacy alert), you have to wipe with the other hand. This is not as easy as you think!
Shower/bathe using only one hand. Dry off with only one hand. Eat with only one hand. Clean with only one hand. AND REMEMBER that hand has to be your weaker hand.
What about your feet, you ask? Well, one leg/foot is probably going to be weak after your one-day stroke. So when you stand, make sure that you try to balance most of your weight on the "other" leg. (The leg affected will be the leg of the hand you are not using.)
OMG! You are sooo going to want to complain about how hard this new way of functioning is. Too bad your brain is working but your mouth isn't! Limit your talking on "stroke day". Of course you won't want to add a fake slur or someone is liable to call EMS for you! So, just limit what you say for the day. You will be amazed at how much you hear. Experience the frustration of not being able to respond.
So, there's your challenge. IF you can't do all these things but you're willing to try one of them, then (indelicacy!) spend the day wiping with your opposite hand. I think you'll be surprised at the level of frustration you will achieve with just that task.
At the end of your stroke day, you will better appreciate the "better health" you are trying to achieve. After all, you could spend a couple weeks- or your life - HAVING to do the things I mentioned.
If you are up for this challenge within the BetterU challenge and participate, please post your thoughts.
**And PLEASE be careful! Use plastic glasses, butter knives, etc. Do not injure yourself in this challenge. If this were real life, you'd quickly learn that plastic and dull are your new best friends. And, you'd learn that you have to ask for help. So, if there is something you can't do with your other hand, ask for help. Experience what that feels like, too.
I'll wait a few days and post my thoughts on my REAL experience with these challenges.
Good luck. And keep up the good work! You are doing this for reasons you may not even fully comprehend!
Okay gang, we're eleven days into a Better Us. Now is about the time that folks start to lose interest, best intentions start to wane, and cookies find their way into the house. BUT just think, you are 1/3 of the way to developing solid, new habits! They say that if you do something for a month, it will become a habit. So hang on for another 2 1/2 weeks and you'll be golden!!
But those darn cookies... I'm going to issue you a challenge that will have you reaching the other way. We all have our reasons for joining BetterU. Somewhere along your list, I'm sure, is to get and/or stay healthy. But what does that really mean? Time to make it real.
Take 24 hours and imagine you had a stroke. Whatever hand you are, use the other hand - and only the other hand - for 24 hours. Do everything that you would normally have to do during a "normal" day. And YES (here it comes - indelicacy alert), you have to wipe with the other hand. This is not as easy as you think!
Shower/bathe using only one hand. Dry off with only one hand. Eat with only one hand. Clean with only one hand. AND REMEMBER that hand has to be your weaker hand.
What about your feet, you ask? Well, one leg/foot is probably going to be weak after your one-day stroke. So when you stand, make sure that you try to balance most of your weight on the "other" leg. (The leg affected will be the leg of the hand you are not using.)
OMG! You are sooo going to want to complain about how hard this new way of functioning is. Too bad your brain is working but your mouth isn't! Limit your talking on "stroke day". Of course you won't want to add a fake slur or someone is liable to call EMS for you! So, just limit what you say for the day. You will be amazed at how much you hear. Experience the frustration of not being able to respond.
So, there's your challenge. IF you can't do all these things but you're willing to try one of them, then (indelicacy!) spend the day wiping with your opposite hand. I think you'll be surprised at the level of frustration you will achieve with just that task.
At the end of your stroke day, you will better appreciate the "better health" you are trying to achieve. After all, you could spend a couple weeks- or your life - HAVING to do the things I mentioned.
If you are up for this challenge within the BetterU challenge and participate, please post your thoughts.
**And PLEASE be careful! Use plastic glasses, butter knives, etc. Do not injure yourself in this challenge. If this were real life, you'd quickly learn that plastic and dull are your new best friends. And, you'd learn that you have to ask for help. So, if there is something you can't do with your other hand, ask for help. Experience what that feels like, too.
I'll wait a few days and post my thoughts on my REAL experience with these challenges.
Good luck. And keep up the good work! You are doing this for reasons you may not even fully comprehend!
Monday, November 17, 2008
November 17th - My Luckiest Day of the Year
It's November 17th and I'm celebrating the day. Those who know always wonder if I plan to spend the day in bed, hiding under the covers. But that is not my style - and those who know me, know that. In fact, those who know me are celebrating the day with me - just like they have for the past two years.
You see, on November 17, 2004, at 4:07 p.m. I had a stroke. So, those of you who are quick with math might be asking, why haven't you and your friends been celebrating November 17th for the last three years instead of the last two? Because on November 17, 2005, I was in the operating room undergoing emergency surgery.
Now, I'll be honest with you, on November 17, 2006, I thought about staying in bed when the alarm went off. But I got up...and took the day off work - and made sure I had 911 on my speed dial. But then I realized that November 17th had to be the luckiest day of the year for me. First of all, sure I'd had a stroke on that day, but I'd survived it and recovered almost 100%! And, yeah, I'd had emergency surgery on that day - but the results were excellent and two and a half weeks later, I was back on my feet and ready to take on the world again. Both November 17ths could have ended in disastrous results - instead, things turned out pretty good. So, I consider myself lucky. And blessed.
So, I'm celebrating. I'm celebrating movement. I'm celebrating family and friends. I'm celebrating life.
I've learned to do that not just on November 17th but on EVERY day...because any day can be a November 17th. And maybe that day won't be as lucky.
So celebrate today with me. And if you happen to glance at the clock at 4:07 p.m. smile as wide as you can - because you can. And know that I will be, too - because I can now.
PS Thanks, Tama, you were my hero four years ago. You were the one who recognized what was happening and called for help. And you stayed by my side at the hospital until my parents arrived. You are the best!
PPS Thanks Carol and Val for following the ambulance to the hospital and staying by my side until my parents arrived, too.
Signs of a stroke:
You see, on November 17, 2004, at 4:07 p.m. I had a stroke. So, those of you who are quick with math might be asking, why haven't you and your friends been celebrating November 17th for the last three years instead of the last two? Because on November 17, 2005, I was in the operating room undergoing emergency surgery.
Now, I'll be honest with you, on November 17, 2006, I thought about staying in bed when the alarm went off. But I got up...and took the day off work - and made sure I had 911 on my speed dial. But then I realized that November 17th had to be the luckiest day of the year for me. First of all, sure I'd had a stroke on that day, but I'd survived it and recovered almost 100%! And, yeah, I'd had emergency surgery on that day - but the results were excellent and two and a half weeks later, I was back on my feet and ready to take on the world again. Both November 17ths could have ended in disastrous results - instead, things turned out pretty good. So, I consider myself lucky. And blessed.
So, I'm celebrating. I'm celebrating movement. I'm celebrating family and friends. I'm celebrating life.
I've learned to do that not just on November 17th but on EVERY day...because any day can be a November 17th. And maybe that day won't be as lucky.
So celebrate today with me. And if you happen to glance at the clock at 4:07 p.m. smile as wide as you can - because you can. And know that I will be, too - because I can now.
PS Thanks, Tama, you were my hero four years ago. You were the one who recognized what was happening and called for help. And you stayed by my side at the hospital until my parents arrived. You are the best!
PPS Thanks Carol and Val for following the ambulance to the hospital and staying by my side until my parents arrived, too.
Signs of a stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Songlines
Are you familiar with songlines? They are the Australian Aboriginal myths of Creation. And, they are fascinating...and beautiful. These Dreamtime stories tell of Australia's original wanderers giving names to places, birds, animals, etc. They explain everything. All cultures have their myths of creation. I mentioned in an earlier post that I also enjoy the Native American myths that Hillerman and Mitchell incorporate into their mysteries. But the Aboriginal songlines are especially close to my heart because as Bruce Chatwin says in his book "The Songlines", they sang their world into existence.
So...what does all this have to do with the Eagles tickets that I was about ready to pee my pants over yesterday? Well, I'm glad you asked!
Music has always been one of the most important things in my life. Music is interwoven through my entire world, my entire existence. I can tell you the first album my parents gave me as a child (Walt Disney Hits...and I swore that my mom's best friend Ruth sang Bippity-Boppity-Boo...and NO ONE could convince me otherwise...still can't...I don't care what the album jacket says), my first album as a teeny bopper (Wayne Newton Live! - hey! cut me some slack! we had just gone to Vegas and seen his show AND MET HIM and I thought he was SO cool!), my first 8-track (An Evening with John Denver...no excuses...I still love John Denver) - well, you get the picture.
Okay, okay...the Eagles. Heartache Tonight was released in 1979 and was a huge hit. The Sophomore class at East High School in Aurora will take credit for that, thank you. After all, we were the ones who called the radio station and requested it night after night as we worked our fingers to the bone on the homecoming float. Really. We twisted more tissue paper around chicken wire than you can ever imagine. And we constantly requested Heartache Tonight. And when it came on, we'd jump up from the garage floor and dance and sing at the top of our lungs. There was heartache for the Juniors and Seniors on homecoming night when our Tomcat beat their Tomcats. We'd sung out path to victory.
I could tell you stories for hundreds of songs in my life - including dozens of Eagles songs - but I'm only going to tell you one more for now. One that is immediate on my personal songline. You know, my path in the life I'm creating for myself.
I've already mentioned that music is important to me. My whole life has been and is set to music. When I think of a memory, I can immediately associate it with a song. When I hear a song, I immediately think of something that happened in my life. I've also mentioned that I am working on a novel. When you write a novel, they tell you that you should "know your characters". Things like what they'd eat, what's their favorite TV show, what's their favorite color, etc. Well, naturally, I also know what's on each of my characters' iPods. When I look at a person, I often think of a song. So, I associate my characters with songs as well. When the Eagles released their newest CD (Long Road Out of Eden) late last year, the song Busy Being Fabulous immediately became Stephanie's song. I don't know when Don Henley and Glenn Frey went on walkabout through my dreamtime but I'm glad they did. They nailed my gal Steph. Everyone should have a song. And Stephanie has hers. AND I'm going to get to hear the Eagles sing it live!
The Eagles have one other really special place on my songline. Yesterday I mentioned standing in line for tickets. That was on November 13, 2004. A Saturday morning. With snow flurries. It was a fabulous day and all was right with my world. Four days later, on Wednesday, I had a stroke. At age 40. I remember laying in the critical care area of the emergency room thinking "well damn it, I have Eagles tickets". (I couldn't piece it together at that very moment, but I had four months until the concert - March 8, 2005.) One of the legs that I had used to stand in line for those tickets would not keep my balance. The hand that I had used to hand the lady my credit card would not move. I knew what I was thinking but that's not always what I was saying. Only four days had passed since I stood in that line and requested those seats and paid for those tickets and at that moment, nothing was right with my world.
So, almost exactly four years to the day later - November 14, 2008 - I bought Eagles tickets again. I didn't have to stand in line but I could have if I had to. And, I used that hand that didn't move to type on the keyboard to purchase the tickets because it moves again. And, on most days, my mind and mouth do work together unless I'm REALLY tired or REALLY excited. And once again, all is right with my world. Now I just have to get through November 17th. (Stay tuned!)
Find your songs and dance along your songline in life. What are your songs? I hope that one of them is Life's Been Good!
So...what does all this have to do with the Eagles tickets that I was about ready to pee my pants over yesterday? Well, I'm glad you asked!
Music has always been one of the most important things in my life. Music is interwoven through my entire world, my entire existence. I can tell you the first album my parents gave me as a child (Walt Disney Hits...and I swore that my mom's best friend Ruth sang Bippity-Boppity-Boo...and NO ONE could convince me otherwise...still can't...I don't care what the album jacket says), my first album as a teeny bopper (Wayne Newton Live! - hey! cut me some slack! we had just gone to Vegas and seen his show AND MET HIM and I thought he was SO cool!), my first 8-track (An Evening with John Denver...no excuses...I still love John Denver) - well, you get the picture.
Okay, okay...the Eagles. Heartache Tonight was released in 1979 and was a huge hit. The Sophomore class at East High School in Aurora will take credit for that, thank you. After all, we were the ones who called the radio station and requested it night after night as we worked our fingers to the bone on the homecoming float. Really. We twisted more tissue paper around chicken wire than you can ever imagine. And we constantly requested Heartache Tonight. And when it came on, we'd jump up from the garage floor and dance and sing at the top of our lungs. There was heartache for the Juniors and Seniors on homecoming night when our Tomcat beat their Tomcats. We'd sung out path to victory.
I could tell you stories for hundreds of songs in my life - including dozens of Eagles songs - but I'm only going to tell you one more for now. One that is immediate on my personal songline. You know, my path in the life I'm creating for myself.
I've already mentioned that music is important to me. My whole life has been and is set to music. When I think of a memory, I can immediately associate it with a song. When I hear a song, I immediately think of something that happened in my life. I've also mentioned that I am working on a novel. When you write a novel, they tell you that you should "know your characters". Things like what they'd eat, what's their favorite TV show, what's their favorite color, etc. Well, naturally, I also know what's on each of my characters' iPods. When I look at a person, I often think of a song. So, I associate my characters with songs as well. When the Eagles released their newest CD (Long Road Out of Eden) late last year, the song Busy Being Fabulous immediately became Stephanie's song. I don't know when Don Henley and Glenn Frey went on walkabout through my dreamtime but I'm glad they did. They nailed my gal Steph. Everyone should have a song. And Stephanie has hers. AND I'm going to get to hear the Eagles sing it live!
The Eagles have one other really special place on my songline. Yesterday I mentioned standing in line for tickets. That was on November 13, 2004. A Saturday morning. With snow flurries. It was a fabulous day and all was right with my world. Four days later, on Wednesday, I had a stroke. At age 40. I remember laying in the critical care area of the emergency room thinking "well damn it, I have Eagles tickets". (I couldn't piece it together at that very moment, but I had four months until the concert - March 8, 2005.) One of the legs that I had used to stand in line for those tickets would not keep my balance. The hand that I had used to hand the lady my credit card would not move. I knew what I was thinking but that's not always what I was saying. Only four days had passed since I stood in that line and requested those seats and paid for those tickets and at that moment, nothing was right with my world.
So, almost exactly four years to the day later - November 14, 2008 - I bought Eagles tickets again. I didn't have to stand in line but I could have if I had to. And, I used that hand that didn't move to type on the keyboard to purchase the tickets because it moves again. And, on most days, my mind and mouth do work together unless I'm REALLY tired or REALLY excited. And once again, all is right with my world. Now I just have to get through November 17th. (Stay tuned!)
Find your songs and dance along your songline in life. What are your songs? I hope that one of them is Life's Been Good!
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