One Year

Can you believe that it has been a whole year since the stroke? I can't decided if it has been a long year or a short one?

"Nice try stroke, but I'm still here."

"I had a stroke what's your excuse?"

Thanks for the funny hoodies mom.

Just so you know stroke humor is crazy hard to come by.

I've found that doctors love to explain things by comparing them to fruit. They told me that a human brain is about the size of a large grapefruit. It's embarrassing to say, but I've held more human brains (thank you anatomy and physiology) than grapefruit so I'll just have to take their word for it. The part of my brain that was damaged was about the size of a plum. That's a big percentage of brain! If someone stole a chunk of my grapefruit the size of a plum I think I would notice.

I love watching those videos to see how far my speech has come.

I've had lots to relearn. It's still a struggle to swallow, and talking sometimes takes concentration. I can't hold onto information like I could before, most of my left side feels like it just got back from the dentist, my hand fights me every ASL class, and I keep getting disoriented around campus. There is more I could list that remind me every single day that I've had a stroke, but the list of blessing is much longer.

People keep telling me I'm "such a fighter," which makes me laugh. It's important to me that you know I'm not particularly strong or persistent. I was given strength that was not my own and gifts of healing I don't deserve. Everything I've gotten back has been a blessing and I couldn't have done it on my own.

I've been surrounded by good people who've encouraged me and loved me through all of this. So many of you have become angels in my eyes.

I've been going over some of the blessings that came with the stroke and I'm in awe.

• It's easier to be happy and I laugh more often.
• I've found I'm more capable then I ever supposed.
• I've felt a closeness to our savior and I rely on my faith more.
• I got to spend extra time with my family
  
• I'm able to do most everything I did before the stroke.
• I've gotten an inside look at what it would be like to be an SLP.
• I got to ride in a helicopter :)
• I got the coolest nick-name ever "stroke jade" I'm not kidding that is what my medical bracelet said. I think it's going to replace Cocoa motion.... you didn't know that was my nickname?

I would list more but it could go on for pages.

One thing I really do miss though is being able to fake a smile. My fake smile just looks like a lopsided grimace. Who would have thought I'd miss being able to lie with my face.

I still use the X-Jet(power chair) around school. Without it I would be blacking out lots more. The X-Jet is such a lifesaver.

The hole in my heart is still leaking but not nearly as much as before.

The pacemaker is wonderful. If I were allowed I would go and get myself another one in a heartbeat. (Ha-ha.)

The Eye doc says that the glaucoma has advanced but not enough that we need to start treatment. Whew!

I am in he midst of a rather difficult semester. I am exhausted, stressed, and for some inexplicable reason I still love all my classes.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm doing good.

PS I thought I would share this link with you about stroke awareness. Why? Because it made me laugh. I haven't seen a stroke awareness add that doesn't totally crack me up there is even one that teaches you to do a dance called "the stroke" I don't want to ruin it for you should you look it up but it involves you pulling half your face down and swinging one of your arms around all limp. Sound awesome right? Oh boy I will just give you the link it's too funny leave off.

What?

I have recently learned a few things that have been very disconcerting

First, the great wall of China is actually the great walls of China. There are multiple unconnected sections built during different dynasties, and whats WORSE is you cannot see the great walls of china from space! What?

Next, Haagen-Dazs a logo for a delicious ice cream brand doesn't actually mean anything. The founders made the word up deliberately trying to trick us into thinking it was a Scandinavian product. Good lie though, Scandinavian ice cream does sound like it would be especially tasty.

I know it's upsetting but celery, that green, fibrous, tasteless stick everyone eats when they diet is not actually negative in calories. Yup I'm pretty mad about that.

Finally, remember that cute, shy, nun from sister act, whose voice is so great? Brace yourself, it is a lie she was lip syncing. I spent my childhood loving that nun and her voice . Sister Mary Robert I feel so betrayed.