As I mentioned in an earlier post, its amazing what neurosurgeons and neurologists know about the brain and what they don’t know. The brain itself is also amazing. Right now my recovery has two aspects to it. My brain is healing and as it does certain things turn back on. The second aspect of my healing is my learning to compensate for the deficits I now have. The last two weeks have brought a lot of recovery – mostly as things turn back on. And everyone I am working with is optimistic that I will continue to make good progress. But let me be honest, I got knocked down pretty far.
Today was the first of two days of assessments and I got some objective measurements of where I am at. My cognitive abilities and memories are unimpaired. My speech pathologist is optimistic that my voice can get much stronger, and I am very encouraged that I am now swallowing without much thought or difficulty. The physical therapist says its clear that my physical strength is fine. My issues right now remain my abilities to focus my eyes and balance. On the berg balance scale I got a 17 which is not a good score. It means I am at high risk of falling. My lack of balance makes me appreciate how awesome balance is. The hundreds of little compensations our body does constantly is a marvel. (Trust me, if you have to consciously think about your balance you are in trouble.)
The other test I took was the six minute distance test. Two and a half weeks ago I would have been shooting for more than a mile. I may not have made it, but I sure would have made more than the 206 feet I made today. I’m not discouraged, I’m very thankful. I have a wonderful family, I have great friends, and I woke up today looking at sailboats on Lake Michigan. I am in much better shape than most people in this stroke rehabilitation facility and I enjoy the unqualified love of the creator. So, I’m not discouraged! But I am aware of how much more I need to regain. Your prayers are appreciated. Again please pray that I can read and God turns on those parts of my brain that allows balance to be unconscious.
My Dad remains hospitalized and is very weak. Both his white and red blood counts are extremely low. The hope is that he will begin regaining strength sometime in the middle of next week.
That’s all for now. Go Hawks!
Press on,
Mike