just one more night

after a month in the hospital, i'm ready to go home!!

having been stripped of the ability of using the left side of my body, i've learned enough here to feel independent enough to go home. i can do a basic function like walk with a cane, which has been a gradual process starting on march 2nd from being completely paralyzed and laying in bed depending on everyone for everything. i cherish the ability to brush my teeth at the sink STANDING!

i had to learn how to stand while not balancing on my right foot, but using both legs.

i'm gainging more mobility in my left arm and hand and fingers. i can relax my hand enough to where my fingers will open. if you know anything about stroke victims, there are certain signs that are common such as a clinched hand and arm. or as i call it a gorilla claw, because that is truly what it looks like. the muscles in my left hand were contracted so tightly that someone had to try to pry open my clinched hand. my brain wasnt able to relax enough to send the signal to my hand to open. everyday is AMAZING. i learn how to do more and more.

now that i can open my left hand, i can hold the toothpaste tube for example. closing my hand with light control was a challenge. but with no major toothpaste splatterings on the wall i consider learning that task a success. i can hold the tube and using my right hand take the cap off and put it back on.

on a side note, i started this update earlier this morning and had to save to draft around 11am. well, its now 9:15pm, that's how busy my days can get and i'm just now getting back to this. sorry for the delay today.

i had a great week of occupational therapy, where we focus on fine motor skill function. i did get to make a grilled cheese sandwhich today in the kitchen...its not about what i made, but had to learn how to plan out all thr steps to making something. like how do i walk with a cane and carry food, or a plate etc...so i got to practice on a cuttingboard that was designed for stroke victims that have limited abilities with one hand. for example, the cuttingboard has a raised L-shape corner to hold a slice of bread, making it easy to spread mayo or butter on the bread.

it appears i will start with outpatient therapy next week, schedule TBD.

i may have more time on my hands, but then again maybe not. i will do my best to try to do things around the house such as laundry, and basic cleaning, it just takes me much longer to do simple tasks. so i will continue to post updates.

thank you again to everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers. i pray that i do not have any more strokes in the future. i feel that i am doing very well and continue to feel stronger everyday.

skippy