Doctor update 2

First off, please pray for my dad, who is going through recovery from back surgery. Pray that whatever infections and issues are handled quickly. Thanks!

I went to my neurologist to get a follow-up on two MRIs and blood work.
The good news- no blood disorders and nothing that stands out. Everything looks great on paper when it comes to the blood work. My carotid artery looks good and no issues seem to be present.

It's been almost three years since my last MRI which showed my main stroke damaged area and one spot in another area. This is the part that has been hard to take. I've had nine more small strokes sometime in the last three years. I had no idea as there is no physical change that we can tell. I'm still having other issues so it might be that my brain tries to re-write the connections and I have an episode that I cannot see so the connection is not form. However, as much as I can speculate, I will not.

So still no explanation except that I must watch my blood pressure and loose weight. Perhaps another opinion is best so going to speak with my primary care about the findings.

I admit I'm saddened and it's scarey. I'm young, 38, but whatever is going on, God knows. Please pray for me and my family, my husband and daughter. Thanks!

Spending Time Part 2

We have been spending time with our daughter the past few weeks before school starts back up next week. She wanted me to share what we have done as a family. We've watched movies and played different games. I haven't felt well (pain when walking/not much energy) and so we haven't gone many places but even still we make the most of our time together. Her and I have worked on chores during the day as best we can, teaching her about kitchen and laundry. A few days we had Grandma helping with us and that's always an adventure.

One of the fun times that we laugh together about and enjoy is Minecraft. We have a private server that we can play together and do lots of creating. It's about using whatever we can find from the block materials to make essential tools, building blocks to very complex objects.  Minecraft also gives me a chance to work on moving my right hand on the mouse and pressing the shift button. My right hand doesn't always want to do what I want it to do. I cannot feel definite objects so I have to watch what I'm doing with my right side. I'm getting better even if slow.

Here are some of our creations along with our characters:

Daughter's character outside our home base

Living Room/Dining area

Our Characters with our horses, sheep and cows

We enjoy what we can during this busy season. While I wish we could be out enjoying being with others, we have a great time together at home.

I hope you had a great weekend and all is well. If you have any prayer requests, send me an e-mail or comment. May the Lord bless you this coming week.

Spending Time Part 1

Summer is getting closer to an end and a new season is among us. New school class for daughter and an ending class for husband with a new class in September. Weather will still have some hot times but it won't be long and cooler weather will come and go. As some know from reading my blog, we have gone through many seasons. For me, we are back to several doctor visits, neurology, blood work, 2 MRI's next week and more follow-up visits.

I had to change Neurologists because my previous doctor is no longer in the area or no longer practicing. I'm not sure so off to a new doctor. Having a new doctor can be a good thing at times.  For once I have a doctor who wants to find out why I had a stroke in the first place. Most have just blamed my high blood pressure but this doctor is not agreeing. So I will have another MRI and a more detailed look at my brain. (not going to go into specifics until later) Also in coming weeks, blood tests to check to see if I have any blood disorders.

So we are spending time with our daughter. More tomorrow. Next week will be busy.


A reminder to all Elders and young pastors but also good words for all Christians. Many times we are told to humble ourselves and share our anxieties and burdens with the Lord. 
From my reading today of 1 Peter:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV

What now?

Here we are at almost the end of January but still at the beginning of the new year, 2013. A new season is upon us and change in schedules. My husband started school for an IT degree and so now he is gone for various times and days. All last year, he was with me almost always unless he went to do an errand and I didn't go with him. When he was in the Air Force he was gone all day long and yes, I admit, I missed my time alone. In a sense, this change is not new but we are in a different place since he worked and I'm at a different stage of recovery. So this is a change but I'm looking forward to having time alone in the house.

I don't get all day but at least I have a few hours that I can do the things I want in my time or I can attempt to challenge myself, safely, to do activities around the house. I am doing more but still not as much as I would like to do. I'm become braver at working in the kitchen. I've come to realize and admit that having a stroke is no playground of fun trying to revamp my body to do what is natural. I'm still having issues but I can do this!, whatever "this" may be at the time.

What now? has been a question on my mind the last few weeks. However, my thoughts of exercise all day and do all that I've been taught at therapy, my thoughts have changed. My alone time has been nothing really of the kind but has consisted of reading God's Word and studying. Then having breakfast, which is my morning challenge. I try to stick to simple but filling. Takes me a good bit of time getting the Greek yogurt and apple out of the refrigerator and then cutting the apple with the apple slicer, corer gadget. Oh and a drink and taking all the items to my desk in the living room. Then I can rest and have a nice morning reading blogs, sermons, Facebook and whatever I come across. By the time I'm finished it's almost Noon because I probably didn't really start my morning until 9:30 or 10am.

This past week I had the privilege to watch the Truth & Life Conference 2013: Word of God at The Master's College in Santa Clarita, California. The speakers were: Dr. John MacArthur, president of The Master's College and pastor-teacher at Grace Community Church and Grace To You Ministry; Dr. Mark Dever, senior pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington D. C. and president of 9Marks Ministries; and Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, senior minister at First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina and Professor of Systematic Theology at Redeemer Theological Seminary.
There is so much I could say but to make it short, and maybe another post later, we studied the Word of God. The whole bible points to Jesus as Savior and Lord, our center. The Old Testament shows us who God is, how He interacts with people and His promises, among other interesting topics. The New Testament shows us Jesus' life and about Christian living plus other also interesting topics. As Dr. Ferguson said in one of his sessions, "Soak in God's Word."

Thanking God for His grace and mercy, the Lord Jesus Christ for when we repent and turn from our sin, He is faithful to forgive and thankful for the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

Wow! It's November!

Where did the time go? Last time I wrote was back in August. I had just started a new season of therapy. At that time I was walking with a 4-prong cane and barely getting around my duplex. I was not doing dishes and rarely went in the garage. I left almost all the cleaning to my husband and 99% of the food preparation/cooking. I didn't think I could manage with a right side that was not functioning in holding items or walking. Sure I get out and about but no where near what I did before my stroke. After my time was up at therapy, I'm doing so much more and have to watch it or I do too much.

I'm walking around the house about 90% of the time without any assistance - No Cane, or walker or anything - maybe a wall or door from time to time but thank the Lord! Outside I use a single prong cane and still working up the courage to walk unassisted. Yes I still have issues with my muscles and swelling in feet/legs but I'm walking and doing better as time goes on. I still need to work on my energy and getting out to church on Sunday. Please pray that my anxiety goes away being around people and that my brain will function when around crowds. Like I said, my energy is not the best and some days even just going and walking, end up in pain in my right foot and lower back. Please pray that we can get in a better routine.

I'm using my right hand more and some feeling coming back. I thank God for all He has given me! I cooked macaroni and cheese and brownies in therapy. Now to apply what I did, at home. Difficult to process what I'm doing at times and how to manage around our kitchen. I did make a moist chocolate cake, for my daughter's birthday, that I did everything except put in the oven. The cake was so yummy that by the next day it was all gone between family. I've even fixed a few plates for my family at meals and took plates from living room to kitchen. A work in progress but I'm happy to try and keep at it!

Other things that have happened the last few months - I had a severe stomach illness in September/early October, that lasted for 4 weeks. Praises for giving the right meds and good doctor to check on my stomach area to rule out other possibilities. I admit that I had doubts about what we needed to do but God was right there watching over me, my fever and the pain.
My husband still looking for work. Praise that the unemployment was continued. Praise that he is able to go to college starting in January, still waiting on GI Bill confirmation but thankful for whatever God gives us during this time. We are trusting Him for provision for what we need. The unemployment will stop at the end of the year or sooner if work is found.
My husband had a small wreck in August and the car still needs to be fixed. We are saving up and almost have enough. Praising God for the safety of both my husband and the other driver and passenger. That neither party was charged and insurance has paid, now to get the damage fixed. Please pray nothing happens while we get our funds together.

Whew long post - Thanks for reading. I hope you all have a good week. For those that celebrate Thanksgiving, a wonderful Thursday and a happy, thankful day. May God bless you all.

2-week Evaluation (Physical Therapy)

Today marked 2nd week of therapy for this round and they did an evaluation. In my first evaluation I scored a 41 out of 56 points. I did great on the standing still portion but the balance/moving area I needed improvement. I have done exercises every day with stretches and either therapy sessions or bike pedals on alternating days. In today's evaluation I scored a 46 out of 56. My goal was a 3 point change but ended with a 5 point gain. I've had increased feeling in my right side over the last 2 weeks and loosening of my tight muscles. I'm so excited that there are changes happening.

Today we also introduced the single prong cane and I will try to use this around the house more. I did not have any problems using the one at therapy. We also used the Bioness L300 to stimulate my right knee and leg muscles to help with my walking (gait) and toes to lift higher. WOW!! I'm shocked literally but also shocked in how my leg and foot responded. When we were setting the equipment up I had to go through different wavelengths and positions so I had some intense sensations and sometimes my foot would turn right and quick. When my therapist would turn the setting off my foot would then snap back to center. My husband, daughter, and I all laughed several times whenever my foot was turned and then released. Too funny but I thank the Lord that my muscles were responding to the stimulation.

I then was asked to walk around the area and what a big change! I was walking so much better and my steps were definitely changed from my regular steps. We were so amazed at the response and it felt wonderful. I then walked in the parallel bar area with a mirror to practice more with my spacing of my steps. We will continue stimulating and my next goals for walking are with single prong and then no cane. Even after taking the system off my leg, I still could feel the difference. I pray that this continues. Thank you Lord for this new season!

Therapy and August

I need a camera so I can bring you some pictures of the great places here around our area of Florida. We make comments about the different areas we have lived and how weather was for us in Oklahoma the last 3 years. The differences can make an impact in how we live and what we can accomplish. Therapy depends on, a good amount of the time, what type of weather condition is in the area. I wrote about it last year here . If we weren't having good weather I was not going to attempt therapy or even go outside.

The weather here in Florida has had really good times even if hot and humid. I've enjoyed the times that I'm going out which has increased since I wrote here. We started going to church more often and helping with WCIF 106.3 "Where Christ Is First" Radio Station with their monthly newsletter. I even got to place the donuts stickers on several using my right hand to peel the sticker and left hand to place. Progress in the midst of serving! Praise The Lord!

Today started new therapy with an evaluation from a physical therapist. There were several exercises to gauge where I am at and have a new starting point to continue progress. I do well with the standing still exercises but having to change stance or position I had a harder time. I'm still at a risk of falling but that means I get more therapy that will continue to increase balance and moving. We will also get more stretching exercises which I'm really looking forward to learning.

I thank the Lord for my biggest progress earlier this week, walking around my daughter's school to get her registered, small sits here and there but mainly standing and walking to the different stations and from the car and back, for 40 minutes! Usually by 15-20 minutes I have to take a break but not this time, I made it! My daughter had a good day today too as her first day of school!

More later - Therapy again on Friday.

In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.

 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

Psalm 62:7-8

June Update

An update of sorts. As a family we are working on unpacking and dealing with bugs (spiders, ants and whatever else shows up) in our rental home. I'm not fully able to do household chores so I've tried to direct my husband and daughter how to do tasks that I would have normally took on myself. I've had to learn to not be so picky and let them learn how to do daily tasks. Letting go has not been easy and frustration creeps in when I look around. Tasks unfinished and so I try to do them or I end up complaining that I'm being ignored. I know there are things that they want to do and things I want to do but order is what I'm needing. Cleaning is not fun but as I know, having a clean ordered home makes for several days of enjoyment.

My blood pressure has been lower (95-115/ 58-76) and at times I have wanted to just sleep the day away. We lowered my medicine and for the past week I have been feeling better. We also changed two other meds a few weeks ago and so far doing well with no major side effects.I won't know how things are really going until August when have blood tests and doctor visits. I will also finally get to see a neurologist and hopefully get some therapy started to help focus on my issues. I'm still having issues of: balance, lack of feeling or full feeling, muscles spasms and tightness, pain mainly in shoulder/back, right hand function. Most of the issues go together or affect each other. With some feeling or lack of feeling, makes tasks harder like walking, exercises and fine motor function. I have almost full range of arm but small tasks with hand need work. I have a lot of pins and needles sensation and we are trying to work on my feeling. Almost every day my husband will mess with my hand and arm. He will touch different areas and ask me what do I feel when not looking. This activity exercises my brain and requires me to think about what is going on. Part of recovering is to have repetitive sessions of feeling activities. I'm hoping that one day I will not only feel in muscles but the outside skin feeling also. We have seen small improvements in my hand and fingers. I now can almost tell which finger he is pulling on. Walking is still a work in process. I feel different muscles and every day something different but I am starting to feel my heel. We are hoping that these small improvements continue showing.

I'm not getting out as much as I was when we first moved here. I wish I could say that I could just up and go but that is not how I am. I have issues in the morning with waking up and my throat. Another issue that came after having the stroke but not for almost a year. Then my pills, one with two meals and one for breakfast and one for dinner. A new routine (one has to be 30 minutes before two meals) started a month ago that we are finally getting used to me taking but still can be a pain. I have to use my tray for some to make sure I have taken them because I forget very easily.

Not a full update but that's just part of what we are doing. I thank the Lord for every day that is given to me. I'm reading my bible all the way through for the first time. I'm a little more than half way but every day is great to read a few chapters and think about what God has said. I'm in the book of Isaiah and just recently read chapter 53. Written before Jesus but about Him. Read it sometime.

May you have a wonderful weekend.

May 28, 2012

Lovely view from Melbourne Beach, Florida

Hi my friends! I hope all is well with you and if not, may you find relief, comfort, in the arms of the Lord. He is our refuge and strength. (Psalm 46)

Words have come and gone, quicker then I can write them down. So what are we doing lately? Not a whole lot. Our time has included spending time together as a family unit, learning to manage the changes from moving, the challenges of my daily care but also getting our medical started in a new place and then there is school and ending quite well for moving and dealing with new ways of schools and teachers.

We made changes to the rental house (put in a hand rail on side of bath tub and my chair, added a step in garage with a hand rail) so that I am a little at ease but still dependent again for a lot of things that I need to work on and to feel more independent. We have had a semi-rough transition but we will get there in time.

Part of this journey I'm dealing with - what am I doing, what am I to do and where do I fit in to society, community and even family. For the most part I have been studying/reading my bible and really eager to learn and change my ways which can be a real struggle but I know this process takes His help in learning His ways. I have used Facebook to increase my faith through prayer and reaching out to share Jesus' love with others. I struggle with jealousy at times because I'm not fully functional however I'm learning.

This month is stroke awareness month and I have the need to share with others the signs (include face drooping, loss of feeling/function of arms and legs, slurred speech, vision loss and blur) and the need to act quickly in getting help. I am not perfect so please forgive me for not writing sooner.

Please also pray for our nation and that the Lord have mercy on us. This is an important time for us here in America and we need to get back on track.

Many hugs to all!

Spring Break

I hope all is well with you. This week we are having spring break for our public schools in our area. As much as I would like to plan some fun activities, we are still working on getting boxes unpacked and arranging items so I can help more. We are finding that Oklahoma schools are definitely not on same track as Florida schools. This week we are trying to catch up and help our daughter learn what she will need to know for Florida's FCAT (the testing that seems to have a major impact on whether they pass or fail). I am trying not to get frustrated that we just moved and this test is in a few weeks. We will see how it goes and keep praying that all works out so that our daughter will go to fourth grade this fall. She has never had a major test before now.

Our washer and dryer were delivered this morning. We went yesterday to pick a set out and so my challenge for the day was shower, dress, eat, take pills, get everyone out the door and go to the appliance store. Walking around is getting easier (some) but still working on timing. We walked in the store and immediately was greeted by a salesman. He showed us some models that were right in front. They weren't too expensive but still well over my budget. I was praying while I walked to "behind the curtain" that we would find something less expensive but workable for me. We did!  Praise God!

By the time we got to the counter my legs had already started a small pain but I knew this was temporary. We finalized the paperwork and in less than 24 hours we now have them in our garage. The guy hooked all the hoses and now I need to get our laundry started. Standing takes more out of me than walking. As long as I keep walking I do a little better but I know in time I will have more energy. Thanking God for the great weather and the ability to walk when I need to walk.
I do have some posts that I am working on writing. Some are hard to write but I want to share what I go through and help others understand.

I hope you have a great week/weekend! More later!

"Therefore we do not lose heart.

 Even though our outward man is perishing,

 yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,

 is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

 while we do not look at the things which are seen,

 but at the things which are not seen.

 For the things which are seen are temporary,

 but the things which are not seen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV

Opening Up (or trying)

It's been over a year since I started this blog. I never really knew what I would write after I wrote about what happened 28 months ago. Yes I had a stroke but I still think there is so much to tell and maybe I will find the words to share. Some topics are easier to share but some have been really personal. Only my husband has really seen and been through everything with me. The ups, the therapy sessions and the ugly parts that I really wish went away. However, it's in the dark times that God's grace and light really shine. He is not through with me or any of those around me. My faith in Him and belief in Him has become really strong but the Lord is the only way I could work through all the issues that come up with family, recovery and every day.
So, with all that said, over the next few weeks I am going to try to "open up" and share what this journey we are on has entailed. 

Chapters

The year is almost at a close and while I tend to want to look back, I am choosing to look forward. For our family we are coming to the end of a chapter in our lives. My husbands job is ending in January and we are moving. All the waiting for some decisions were made and final so new decisions, plans are now in front of us. This is where we are right now.
I'm looking forward to new adventures, new doors to open and continue on this healing journey. We are all looking forward to the warmer climate in Florida.

My time here blogging will be shorter than I would like but I wanted to give an update. We still have waiting to do, waiting on others to finalize paperwork, waiting on last appointments and waiting for housing door to open. On a happier note - we are seeing some progress with my muscles and healing from my dental surgery. I have lost 30 lbs and still going. Waiting on blood work to come back but had a good report from cardiologist - EKG good and he was happy to know I am working on loosing weight and seeing some progress.

I thank you all for reading and praying for me and my family. May God bless you now and in the coming months.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul;
         And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
         And forget not all His benefits:
 Who forgives all your iniquities,
         Who heals all your diseases,
 Who redeems your life from destruction,
         Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s" 

Psalm 103:1-5

2 years

My thoughts -
November 25, 2009 - the night I had a stroke on Wednesday before Thanksgiving

It has been two years since my life changed. Thankful to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit for saving me, giving me a second chance and bringing me closer to Him. While I might not be where I thought I would be, or even where Doctors told my family or me, the recovery process has been the toughest challenge I have ever had to face. I have bad days but the good days out do them. I cannot say recovery is easy but! I can say that the peace, strength and love from the Lord keep me going.

In the last two years I have come across so many people and I pray that God has used me to help others. I have seen so many that do not know the Lord, do not have His peace and are very miserable. I have also seen people that say they rely on Jesus in one breath and in the next breath are miserable. May His peace be on them that He so freely gives, that those that are miserable realize the refuge He provides. Before my stroke I never realized how much I am to rely on Him and how much His ways and plans are better than anything we can imagine.

His Words change people and life becomes manageable as long as He is the focus. Two years and that is my thoughts for today. Circumstance might be there - not having a full functional body, not always walking as best as I would like, not having a right hand that can do what it did before and lots of pain/muscle tightness in arm and leg. But God, makes my days better by giving me a family that helps even when it stops them for a moment, a family that ask what can they do to help or if I want help and giving me friends that have no idea how much I need their company at times but show up at the right time. Thank you.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thanksgiving

A time for change is coming. The last few weeks have been busy with medical & dental appointments and visit from my mom. There were vacation times for my daughter and husband. (Of course at different weeks) So I have had lots of company every day.

I went to my neurologist appointment last week. Everything is progressing and my doctor was impressed with all that had improved in 6 months. I still have a ways but doing well. I did get a prescription for Baclofen to help my tight muscles and the spasms. We are still testing amounts and have seen some improvement with less pain and relaxing of my tighter muscles. Still have varying degrees of pain but in time, I think, the pain will lessen.

I also had a few dental visits - I'm embarrassed but I know that the doctors will take good care of me. I have several upcoming visits over the next few weeks to include removal of 4 back teeth and several filings. The combination of stroke side effects and bad past have brought me to this point but all is changing.

As far as waiting - I'm excited to what the future has in place with God's direction. The time is ending for us to be here so 1. base housing is no longer an option, 2. no longer waiting for an answer so now time is to move on and forward. My healing gives glimpses and I know that one day I will be fully healed. As far as when - only God knows. Now we have to decide where to move, when to move and what is provided in the move. More later...

As we get closer to when we have our Thanksgiving meal, we are choosing to be happy and look forward to spending time just us especially as a break/pause in all that goes around us. We will have our small feast with turkey, cornbread, dressing, and many vegetables. I can't leave out the pumpkin pie.
Thankful to the Lord Almighty God for providing what we have and need, for His peace as we make decisions and shedding light on changes that need to be made.

May you all be blessed in the coming days, weeks as we come to the end of this season/year!

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

God bless,

Small Update

Hi everyone. I hope you all are well. There really isn't much to write but I wanted to give an update.
We are doing ok - still waiting and talking about the options that we have and some plans in multiple ways. Either way we are waiting on decisions that others have for our future, my husbands career in the military. He passed his PT test with a 94 and did the walk/run 1 mile in 10 1/2 minutes. I'm so proud of him but more thankful to the Lord for allowing him to pass. My husband has done everything they have asked him to do but we are still waiting.

I am doing okay. Nothing new (in my opinion) but doing as much as I can for housework. I am not going to a place for therapy so it's all at our apartment. Trying things and working on doing what is needed. I'm thankful I have gone from having no feeling on right side to having some feeling with times that what I feel on right side feels the same. I still have hyper-sensitive areas and lots of pain but I push forward. Strokes have different levels of recovery and I have to remind myself. I do have days of sadness because I am still broken. However, I keep going after a small break. I will keep going and I thank the Lord for everyday He allows me to be here with my family and friends.

God bless you all!

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
 The LORD make His face shine upon you,
      And be gracious to you;
  The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

Waiting

Hi friends. I do hope you all are doing well.

Waiting.. I have good patience most of the time but when it comes to the future, planning, I'm not great at just waiting. I want a plan, a purpose, a "to do" list, a dream to set in motion. Yes I am doing therapy stuff and using my frustrations to get me past challenges and succeeding most of the time in amazement but it's the future that is in a waiting period.

Waiting - that waiting list for base housing (already now at month 8) has been extended to an estimated 6-8 months

Waiting - for the healing process, the walking easily and using my right hand with ease

Now waiting - to see if my husband will be allowed to re-enlist in the military in January. This is not guaranteed so we are waiting. Another process. Which will eliminate the base housing if one decision is made but then opens so many more decisions and destinations.

I have to admit that waiting is hard. Sometimes there are tears - of sadness, of frustrations, of uncertainty BUT I turn to the Lord, taking to Him all that is bothering me, all that is on my mind. Asking for His desire for us, God's favor on my husband to stay, beat the odds if that is His desire for us to stay here in Oklahoma or give us the desire to be where He wants us to be so we will make the right decisions when the time comes. Thanking Him for all He provides for we are truly blessed.

My soul, wait silently for God alone,
         For my expectation is from Him.
 He only is my rock and my salvation;
         He is my defense;
         I shall not be moved.
 In God is my salvation and my glory;
         The rock of my strength,
         And my refuge, is in God.
        
 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
         Pour out your heart before Him;
         God is a refuge for us.  Selah

Psalm 62:5-8

Apartments and Strokes

This apartment is not made for the disabled but we make it work. Right after my stroke we talked a little bit on what changes needed to be made. At the time I was in a wheelchair and could barely walk and could not feel most of my right side. The wheelchair didn't work for me inside but we made do with what we had. The biggest thing rehab in the hospital taught me was how to go up and down the stairs so I could leave my apartment. Over the almost 2 years, whew November is approaching that mark, we have gone back and forth about our apartment. We could not change anything except a few things that could be changed back easily. The benefit for me is making do with what I had made me use what I have with my body, no matter how frustrating.
So what did we change?

The biggest thing is the shower and finally something I can do independently after 1 1/2 years. We had to include a shower chair and a hand held shower-head. Along we added a shower caddy that I got many years ago from a special lady, Josie who has gone to see the Lord. I never thought I would use it but sure came in handy when I needed it the most. Thank you!

We have had to change where food is in the refrigerator, for now. I'm still having stiff legs and makes hard for bending. Plus doesn't help that there is no close counter. So all my food for the day must be on top shelf or the door.
But there has been some light to me and we are seeing small progress between everything I do. The more independent I get, the more I want a new place on the first floor. I am thankful for all we have been through for it has made us all stronger, wiser and closer. But the most important, my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the Almighty God has increased significantly. That's for another post.


I pray that you never go through anything like this so take care of yourself. However, if you do, know that you can make it! I am! God bless!

Where are we?

So it is September and fall is coming. Where are we?

The weather has been very crazy this year and even now we dealt with very high temperatures and then very low for our highs. At least this week is a constant 80's here unlike last weeks 100+ and 50's as our highs.

My muscles are acting up But, have had some good days and small progress. I am moving my right hand and arm more often. I still have tight muscles and stretching them everyday, as much as I can tolerate. I still need to motivate myself to try and do things around the apartment. Our cats make me work at playing and rubbing their soft fur. We have two toy birds that I get to work on picking up off the floor especially when they leave them in the way of my walking. The bending down and using right hand to pick the object off the ground is great exercise. I have even carried the cats from room to room on my left shoulder as a challenge to not use my cane and focus on balance. I am walking more without my cane, trying at least some everyday, and to go myself to get what I need instead of always asking family to help. I also got a laptop for the bedroom or anywhere I want to sit. The challenge is to use the mouse and type on the keyboard. I'm not always using my laptop because I am usually at my desktop in the living room but it is a nice change. I unloaded the dishwasher, most of it, with my left hand but great exercise for squats and stretching. I am happy to be able to help a little more around the house.

Family is doing well. Our daughter is adjusting to school and good grades. Husband is adjusting to changes at work. We are almost done with some issues but have a few more weeks. Waiting and leaving it to our mighty Lord but prayers are so helpful!

Losing weight - 16 lbs so far. I had almost a month of not loosing any but! I didn't gain either. I am slowly making changes but I never feel like I starve and still get to eat a lot of my favorites just moderation and not everyday as I once did months ago. I am finding that I actually like less sweet and more vegetables and meat. Sweets taste yucky and no more regular soda too! I still need a few more vegetables and fruits through out the week but overall doing great.

Are you reading in God's Word and what are you reading? I am reading with a Chronological plan of God's Word the Bible. I just finished the book of Job and what a wonderful book with many lessons. One major lesson is that God is mighty and commander of all, even the weather. (Job 38-42) Read it or even the whole book of Job, it is not very long. Praise the Lord for His teachings!

Then Job answered the LORD and said:

  “I know that You can do everything,
      And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You."

Job 42:1-2

All kinds of Weather

Hi all. I hope I find you all doing well in whatever season you are in right now. Weather is a strong topic in my house especially with my dad around. We talk about the weather almost all day with updates from him while he is out and about the town. I've learned so much over the years that his fascination with the weather has rubbed off on me. brb (be right back)
Ok, my alarm was going off in the bedroom. I was up almost 2 hours earlier then my alarm. All the talk about the hurricane Irene and getting daughter off to school, I forgot to turn alarm off when I got up. I was almost confused about what time it was when the weather channel showed a live shot of Miami, Florida. At 10 AM Eastern cars had to have their lights on and it looked like it should be night time. They are experiencing the outer bands of wind and rain. Still rocky weather.

Please pray with me for the East Coast, the islands and anyone else affected by the weather issues.

This week we have had earthquakes, Southern Colorado, Virginia (felt all up and down the East Coast) and even here in Oklahoma City. Small tremor and very brief but I felt it and was confirmed a few hours later when reading. We also are into day 54 of 100+ temperatures, yesterday 109 High yikes!!
Not only the outside weather, we all have our own weather brewing inside. I came down with a cold and still battling it but so much better than last week. Sometimes I "feel" like I'm in a tornado, everything spinning fast, tightly, creating disaster in the path and then a calm, peaceful breeze even if physically not recovered. Love God's peace and shelter! Other times, like a hurricane, with waves of turbulence. Calmness, rain and wind, calm light rain, heavy rain and stronger wind, calm - continues until you get closer to the center of the storm strong wind, tornadoes, heavy rain and then nothing right in the center eye. But to come out, you have to go through the same but instead of increasing, decreasing.

My husband and I are going through a hurricane season, waves of dealing with outside circumstances and sometimes rocky patches at home. Please pray for us, especially my husband. We are close to the center of our storm. Even if many more months left, the next few weeks are crucial. Please forgive me if I am vague and not around. I am needing time away to spend in prayer and with my family.

Seasons and all kinds of weather - Praying for you all and the season you are in now. May God's peace and light shine through and surround you.

“Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.”

Psalm 119:165 NKJV

"Trust in Him at all times, you people;
         Pour out your heart before Him;
         God is a refuge for us.  Selah"

Psalm 62:8 NKJV

Up, Down and Stand still!

Hi All! I hope you are having a great month of August.
We have had a "Weather break" from all those high high temperatures - rain and "cooler" temps. Praise the Lord! We are still in "summer" phase so more normal temps even if 100's but I'm thankful that I was able to get outside a few days. We enjoyed family coming by to see us and had a good meal together. My husband's side of the family that we have not seen since right after my stroke as they live in east Texas. Hopefully we will be able to visit again soon. This week we had news about our moving onto base where my husband is stationed and looks like we could move anytime between now and end of the year. So we are getting closer! I'm excited about the move even if means a lot of changes for us.

In one of my posts I had mentioned health issues, strokes and weight loss. Weight loss can be frustrating but as long as we keep trying and making changes we can do this! My husband and I are enjoying trying new foods and ways to eat/cook. I have frustrated moments because I'm now seeing and reading that the foods I really like are not the best to really eat. There are restaurants we have chose not to eat at due to lack of nutritional information and some that, even if yummy, are just not good especially when trying to be healthy. Smaller portions are getting easier but that second and third weeks were the hardest. Never knew how emotional food makes me *frowns* when I feel like I am depriving myself. So we are working on balance and moderation. Husband has loss 10 lbs and I am at 12 lb loss! We can tell and want to keep at it!

Therapy - Progression - very slow even though others can tell a difference. I feel like not doing enough or that I am being lazy. Our apartment is small, not a lot of room to do anything but walk between rooms and exercise on bed. So frustrating. Outpatient therapy is on hold for now. I do what I can and work on what I remember to do. I think the most frustrating part is after therapist show you the exercise or tell you what you need to do, you get home and then cannot figure out how to do what they said with what you have at home. I wish I had a home therapist at least for one visit so they can help me figure out how?!

Life changed so much and God is working on me. Even though it has been a roller coaster and still have moments of anger, guilt, sadness. Honestly, I would not change what has happened. This journey is a learning process and God loves me so much to allow me a second chance. A second chance to know the Lord, His Son Jesus and the Living Word.

Have a wonderful week and weekend! May God bless you,