The blood pressure roller coaster has left the station...

I have always had problems with my blood pressure but recently (for about the last month and a half or so) it seems to be all over the place. My neurologist tries to keep it a little above normal because I only have one vertebral artery leading to my brain (for those of you who have not been following my blog for awhile my stroke was caused by a torn vertebral artery in my chest). Normally it stays 130 - 135 over 80 - 85. Beginning in early November I started have elevated readings; but, they were not consistent. One day it would be really high, then it would be pretty low (for me) and then it would be normal. My neurologist asked me to start taking my BP every day (I had been taking it just Monday and Thursday). I take it at the same time every day (right about 6:15 a.m.) so I know I am not doing anything that might cause a rise. Here is a small sampling: 11/7: 146/98, 11/8: 135/92, 11/9: 124/92, 11/10: 134/90, 11/11: 122/86, 11/12: 145/98, 11/13: 129/89. Then it came down pretty regularly for awhile only to start up again. 11/17: 135/97, 11/18: 149/99, 11/19: 125/78, 11/20: 123/82, 11/21: 126/80, 11/22: 130/76, 11/23: 128/82. I don't know what causes the rise and fall of the BP but my neurologist seems a little concerned. Anybody have any thoughts about it? Maybe this is normal; I don't know. I don't want to be like "the boy who cried wolf", but I also don't want to overlook a potential problem.

Online book

In response to some who have asked, I have uploaded a .pdf format of "Living the Life of a Miracle" to the Website. There is a little button on the home page that will take you to "scribd" to read the complete .pdf version. Thanks.

I know that some will not understand...

There are some problems that a stroke survivor faces that some people (even doctors) do not seem to be able to grasp. I have been to physical therapists, neurologists, speech therapists and psychologists and none of them (at least on the surface of what they say) seem to really get the fact that there are real problems that we face on a daily basis (some days are worse than others) that are not physical. Some people reading my blog will understand exactly what I am saying: there is a "spacey" feeling that cannot really be quantified. That is, it is hard to put into words and almost impossible to describe but it is a real problem. Sometimes when I wake up I just have a "far away" feeling that cannot really be explained, but when that feeling is there it is hard to concentrate, it is hard to find the right words to communicate clearly and it is hard to get my thoughts together. Are there physical problems? Sometimes (when that "spacey" feeling is at its worst, my leg also seems weaker and I seem to struggle with my balance more). But, the problem is not always physical but it is just a feeling. If I sound as if I am griping, ok, I probably am; but, I just want to communicate to people that just because a stroke survivor looks great, there might be problems that no one else can see.

A recent article I received about stroke awareness

I had received this article some time ago and wanted to post it on my blog.

Maximizing Recovery Following a Stroke

--Philip J Reed, on behalf of Valley Hospital Medical Center

When it comes to having a stroke it’s a pretty well known fact that prevention is the absolute best medicine. However, if you have already suffered one, there are many options available to you to help regain function and vastly improve your quality of life.

Because of the many different types of stroke rehabilitation being offered, your chances of finding something that works for you are excellent.

Proper rehabilitation immediately after suffering a stroke is the key to getting the best benefits from your efforts.

Practitioners at your primary stroke center will function as a group to create an effective plan of action to radically increase your chances of a return to your life inasmuch as is possible.

Physical therapy- This is a very important part of recovery after a stroke as victims often lose limb function or body awareness. Physical therapy and repeated exercise can often re-train the brain to access those commands and abilities which can greatly help stroke victims regain lost independence.

Speech therapy- It’s very easy to take the ability to communicate for granted, particularly if you’ve never had it taken from you or had it impaired in any way. Stroke victims very often lose the ability to communicate, whether it’s the inability to formulate words or to connect the proper word with whichever ones were intended to be spoken. This can be an unbelievably frustrating issue which can lead to other problems, including depression, frustration and anger. Intensive speech therapy can help patients to partially or even fully regain the ability to communicate which can help facilitate further progress.

Occupational Therapy- This therapy is multi faceted and helps in regaining the details of daily life including decision making, practical life skills and an understanding of your physical world.

The family factor- With all attention on the mental, physical, and medical health and well being of the stroke victim, it’s very easy to forget about the patient’s support system- the family and loved ones. The more knowledge that they have about what a stroke victim is dealing with and going through, the better they can support them. Being actively involved in rehabilitation with professionals at the patient’s primary stroke center and educating themselves can only serve to increase the manner in which they can actively participate and help their loved one.

Anyone who says that the road back from a stroke is easy is lying. However, with a lot of hard work and a great rehabilitation team, there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is an improved quality of life that is waiting.

New Video for the Book, Living the Life of a Miracle

This is the video I created to go along with my book. I appreciate all the people who have encouraged me along my path, now nearly 3 years!

Dealing with a cold...

When I first suffered my stroke over 2 1/2 years ago, the neurologist told me to be careful when I get a cold; it might seem as though I am having a stroke all over again: balance problems, dizziness, disoriented, etc. I can honestly say that for the first 2 1/2 years, I have had a few colds and never felt really bad (I know that I had some problems, but they were pretty mild.) But, this cold is really kicking my butt. In the mornings, it takes me a while to get my orientation right, I have some trouble with my balance, I get tired REALLY easily (yesterday, I did not get up until 7:15 - an hour later than normal - then I went down for a nap at 10, and then took another nap at 1 or so before retiring for the night at 9.) What Laura is most afraid of is that I might fall; I cannot afford a fall.

As a side note, I did go on a mission trip last week for 8 days to Louisiana. I did really well and had no troubles until the last day. My legs got really weak and I wound up on the ground. Fortunately, we were on our way home. I think I just let myself get too tired. After I slept for awhile, I was fine. But, I forgot how much I enjoy youth work until I went on this trip; it was terrific and the kids were great.

There are just some things I still cannot get used to...

The other day when I was exercising (I try to exercise every day to keep my cholesterol down), I had a very interesting experience. I wish I could say that this was a unique experience, but it has happened a few times over the last couple years. In the middle of my exercise routine, my legs started to get weak, my heart started racing, my breath was rapid and I had to lie down to get my strength back. The first time it happened, I was really worried about it and went to the doctor. It has only happened 2 or 3 times in the last 2 1/2 years, so it is not a regular occurrence, but it worries me when it does happen. The first time I went to the doctor, he did not seem to be alarmed because the "stuff" stopped happening after a few minutes. I am not sure if it does happen again if I should go to the ER? Any thoughts?