Well, hello there. I think it is about time for us to take a
little journey. Really, there is no reason in mind. No reason at all.
On March 11, 2012, we were living life similarly to any American couple without
children. I say that, but I mean the boring, in bed by 10 p.m. kind. And I said
we because this stroke didn’t just happen to me. It happened to Chris, too. And
to everyone else who loves me, for that matter. But it mostly affected Chris
and me. And I am pretty sure we will need couples’ therapy after I am recovered.
I can’t begin to imagine what it is like to have a spouse going
through this. Seriously, at this age? I’d like to ask you to try and read this
entry from Chris’ perspective.
For about a month after my stroke, I was in an intensive care unit at the
hospital in Kansas City. Nobody knew what to expect of my prognosis. Except
Chris knew my memory was still there.
Next, I was in Nebraska at a rehab hospital for three months. While there, I
pretty much accomplished, well, nothing. Chris, however, sent a very important
email I mentioned in a previous entry that got us connected with some
communication specialists. I guess I did learn to sort of communicate using my
left foot and a computer. And I guess it was there that we learned my recovery
would take its own course and speed. They also got me off of that ventilator. Still
not enough for me. Also, to be fair, I was kind of a mangled mess when I arrived.
Once I was back in the Kansas City area, I continued to work on using my toe
switch with the computer. I was living in a nursing home then. For seven
months, young Chris visited his young wife before and after work, on weekends
and on holidays. While I was there, I began using my left thumb to communicate.
And I started shaking my head.
I finally moved “home” in time for my one year stroke anniversary. I used quotation
marks there because Chris and I decided to sell our house months earlier. He
was then living in a tiny apartment close to his work and the nursing home.
Chris was there and our dog was there, so it was home.
Now that we are living in Springfield, both our house and I need some work. Home
renovations are underway, but not coming along as quickly as I had imagined. I
guess that really exemplifies my recovery as well. My expectations have always
been different than reality. That’s a good thing, right?