But Who's Complaining.

What's on your mind...

I watched her grow up and to think of what she has experienced in the past year is beyond amazing.Tracy may God continue to bless your recovery! Here is Tracy's testimony of faith, courage, and determination: 

What a difference a year makes…….. A year ago this morning, I woke up in Parkview Hospital with little to no use of my right side and limited use of my left side.  I remember thinking “but I haven’t done all that I want to do…Why me? Why now?”  Fast forward one year, "ok" maybe slow forward.  I don’t do much of anything fast anymore.  But, a lot has changed since that Sunday morning.  
After 7 months of intense physical, occupational, & speech therapy and a few additional months of “regular” therapy, I had regained most of the strength on the left side but was oriented to fact that the right side would have permanent deficit.  That means that there are times when I still drag my right leg and occasionally drop things out of my right hand.  I still have some stuttering issues when nervous or feeling rushed.  And, the short-term memory is a goner.  I still don’t sleep much for fear of not waking up.  I have some trouble with my fine-motor skills and sometime need assistance with small buttons & belts.  So, of course, there are still days where I cry for what appears to be “no reason at all”, but really it’s just me adjusting to my “new normal”.  And believe me it’s a lot easier said than done.
But, praise God….I have been given the chance to adjust to a “new normal”.  You see, having a stroke while not quite driving within the speed limit on a busy interstate is not something most people walk away from.  Ok, I didn’t exactly walk; I was rolled gracefully a short distance down I-69 from my car to the waiting ambulance that had blocked traffic along with a huge fire truck.  You can imagine how embarrassed I was.  I mean really “me”, on a hospital stretcher, in the middle of I-69.  Well, enough of that, lets get back to the good stuff.  I am still here.  I have been able to take a few short work trips alone.  I can drive myself to Kalamazoo & Lansing, MI.  I only got lost once.  But trusty Onstar helped a sister out and no one was the wiser.  And, this past week I was able to go Indianapolis by myself.  This is a huge feat as my mom (you know the Warden) and others in the family still do not let me drive alone very often.  I have not had any falls in recent months.  I have had some close calls in the shower but the little “shower angels” caught me.  Because one more fall and think they were going to put me in the “home”.  My blood pressure continues to have a mind of its own, but I am taking everything in stride.  You would think a total of 9 pills a day would do the trick.  So, I remain somewhere around 140/90’s.  And right now, I feel fine.  Oh, did I mention that I am still here.  
In closing, I want to say “thanks” to my entire medical team(s) at both Parkview and Lutheran.  I am not sure how I will ever be able to repay my mom “the Warden” who still stands over my bed “to just watch me” when I do sleep.  Or, when I am awake the entire night and she pretends to be sleep but hears my every move.  My dad who would just come and sit and look at me for a while and then say “well baby daddy gonna go, but I’ll see you tomorrow”.  To my ACS family “thank you sooooooo much”.  Sue for putting up with a roommate that doesn’t’ sleep and NEIN for allowing me to me.  To all who prayed, sent cards, flowers, or called…..”thank you”.  To be honest, I didn’t think I would live to see Christmas 2009, I purchased most of my gifts during my therapy outings and told mom to make sure the “kids” knew that I loved them….fear makes you think crazy things.  I see the doctor again next week and I’ll send a brief update.  Twelve months and still counting…..not all good days, but who's complaining.  
See you all soon......
Tracy