Tag Archives: Massive right MCA stroke

The case of the “unknown pants”…………

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pYou have to understand, we live in a house where three people with memory issues reside. Maggie, the dog, has a best memory in the house. I cannot figure this one out. Just wish we could figure this one out.

When arriving home from church, yesterday, I discovered a strange pair of pants lying over a dining room chair. They were a medium gray pair with a white pinstripe. We had no visitors to match these pants and we could not discern how they came to be in our dining room. All of the doors were locked, all windows closed tight, and Maggie did not appear to have had a mid-morning snack. Yet, here they are and how did they get in the house?

Barry denies knowing anything about the pants, other than they did not belong to him. The pants were not meant for a tall man, Barry is six-foot tall. These pants are meant for a munchkin. To my knowledge, there have been no munchkins in the house. Is Maggie throwing neighborhood parties when we aren’t home? She does open the doors by herself when she really wants in a room, or out. I’m writing this and haven’t got a clue where they came from.

Mom says she is not positive, but she doesn’t remember any visitors leaving without their pants. Mom is probably the culprit. She does minor alterations for people. But swears she knows nothing. 

In a house full of people with memory issues, what do you do when something like this happens? Just another example of the mysteries of the human brain. How else can you explain this?

December 2011

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Today, this second Sunday in December, was difficult to get through. At the same time, it has been a joyous day! The love of my life suffered a stroke that should have taken his life, but through the grace of God and the miracles of modern medicine he is still by my side and we are closer now than ever before. Enjoy and make the most out of life because you NEVER know when you will be called to glory. Time is truly a precious gift from God. Barry and I have both been through a lot since 2009, but we are still here and still going strong.

Last year, at around 8:30am, Barry was assisting one of our residents with his morning care. The resident called for me to come quick. I got in the room and Barry said in a funny voice, “Honey, I can’t get up, help.” I leaned over to grab his arm, when I realized he couldn’t grasp my arm, I quickly told him to stay put and not to move. The thought running through my head, was “‘you’re the  strong one, Barry….You cannot be having a stroke!” I knew he was, but that thought would not leave my head. I called 911, checked on him again and went to get his medicines.

Gwinnett County EMS was on top of it that day, they were there in a flash and my heart sank as I watched them drive off with my sweety. I knew I’d never be able to drive, so I had called my sister to give me a ride. She was 20 minutes away. She made it in record time. My head was racing with all sorts of things that I could not shake. I was crying then as I am crying now telling this story. The local ER was on the ball and had Barry ready for transfer when we arrived, Kris and I attempted to keep up with the ambulance, which was impossible, so we decided to be safe. At the next hospital, Barry was already on the table having the “Mercy” procedure performed. True to the doctors words, Barry was regaining use of his left side within 12 hours.  

One year ago, I got the opportunity to fall in love with my soul mate all over again. The stroke took Barry’s filter away. He’s adorable and we are enjoying rediscovering each other all over again. I love him dearly and do not know what I’d do without him.

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This really happened….

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Anyone keeping up with us is aware that Barry and I had to close our business. We were not able to handle the patient care once Barry had the stroke. I was attempting to keep the business going with part-time help, but once we both were incapacitated to a certain point, we had to make the tough decision of closing. 

We decided to tell the resident’s on an outing. It will be an outing neither of us will ever forget. We went to Wendy’s for burgers. Our staff person and I sat the residents down and started numerous trips back and forth to collect napkins, ketchup, forks, salt and pepper. Barry went to place the order. Barry got my attention and pointed toward the tables. 

When I turned around, two of our four residents had opened their straws and were sipping ketchup from the little souffle cups Wendy’s supplies for ketchup. Everyone in the restaurant had turned and were stating at these two. What do you say? What do you do? I walked over to the table, sat down and quietly asked them to put the cups down. I told them their meal was being prepared, to have a little patience. They thought that was part of their meal. It was, but it didn’t need a straw……

The human brain is an incredible, as well as, strange organ. Through my years of nursing, I have witnessed many outrageous and many marvelous things. After 20 + years of nursing, I never would have put myself in this situation, but I can understand/sympathize with things I have witnessed over the years now. This brain tumor has truly opened my eyes to the world around me!

 

 

 

Christmas Programs everywhere……

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The holidays are here and they are hitting like a runaway locomotive. Barry and I missed everything last year, he was in rehab after his stroke. We wanted to get in on as many programs as we could this year.

December 1, will strolled through Loganville Baptist Church’s version of “Journey to Bethlehem”. They did a wonderful job.

December 2, we got to see our great niece, in her churches kid’s Christmas program. We learned she is quite a little entertainer and loves a microphone. Absolutely adorable 3 year old.

December 6, we went to another nephew’s band concert. I was amazed by the change in music or a better way to put it is, the way the band put together their performance. Absolutely amazing.

December 7, we will helping set up for our church’s Christmas program. Barry and I have been on a treasure hunt the last few weeks for this program. It is exciting watching it come together.

December 8, we will be attending a Christmas Play with my oldest sister’s church and some of our family.

December 9, will be the program at our church, with a possible encore the following Sunday morning.

December 15 is the Christmas Party for the ladies group at our church. Mom and I are responsible for decorating a table. Busy making plans for that.

On a yet to be determined date and time, our family will be celebrating the holiday! Along with a few more stops on the Christmas Express, but Barry and I will survive…….God will get us through it all, after all…it is His season!Snowman

Morning out with “the New Barry”….

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Ok, again…I am not picking on him. He is totally aware of my posts. This blog was the idea of a physician, we both see…to help us adjust to the “New Us”.

1. While at the hospital for a few tests this morning. I realized it is getting hard to tell if my hubby is pulling my leg or if he has truly lost his filter, since the stroke. When we go to get onto the elevator, he starts talking into the hole left in front when the door is open. Saying, “hello down there.” There was an older couple on there with us, the wife had quite a grip on her husbands arm. Are we becoming the ‘crazy couple’ people will be afraid to go out to dinner with?

2. Then we get to the grocery store. We reach the ‘evaporated milk’, Barry proceeds to start shaking the cans and saying “There is still milk in there.” I just kept going….What do you do?????

Shopping Trip and realistic photos……

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Ok……I need to explain a few things…..I, Jill, can no longer see well to the left. looking forward, I’m fine, I have to physically turn to see to the left. Barry’s stroke affected his left side, so he has minimal trouble with his vision on the left.

Soooooooooo….let me tell you about a few crazy shopping trips……..I, Jill was browsing a rack at Ross when I felt like a woman near me was getting a little pushy and getting very close. With my balance issues, I enjoy my personal space. When I turned to the left, thinking I’ll just go to the other side and let her have it, I realized the pushy lady was a photo on the end-cap. Boy, did I feel silly!

Barry will not usually tell me about this kind of thing, but he had a similar experience at Walgreen’s. When changing aisles, he passed a  life-size cardboard Taylor Swift and said “Excuse me, ma’am!” and stepped out-of-the-way. As he was passing the figure, he realized it  wasn’t real. He looked around to see if any one had witnessed his faux paux, then went on his way.

Are you looking for me? Another ” New Barry” moment:

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He is telling me what to type, I’m not picking on him. Several of his “New Barry” moments are too private to share, but hilarious.

While leaving Kroger, he noticed a lady in an SUV with the window half open. As he walked to the car, he realized she was taking pictures. He got in his car, rolled the window down and rode past her. He shouted to her “Hello, I hope you aren’t looking for me because I was never here.” As she was laughing, he drove away.

The stroke loosened my sweety up and took his filter away.

Black Clouds…..

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Have you ever felt like a black cloud is following you around? I think I picked up a small one from this crazy storm that is currently whipping the east coast. We have been lucky to get only cloudy, cold and windy weather.

Back to my latest friend, black cloud. Over the weekend, a health issue got so bad I ended up at the doctor Monday morning, which is leading to more meds and more tests.

While at an an appointment this morning, the doctor did not like my vital signs  (pulse was 39) and insisted hubby-poo contact our cardiologist. They proceeded to tell him to get me to an ER now. Off we go……..Eight hours later and another medication increase, I got my sweet hubby out of a frightening place for him and home safely. He was so strong for me this past week, I try my best to return the favor.

The hospital took so long this afternoon I could tell he was wearing out and getting nervous. My job was to get him out of his first stop after the stroke ASAP!

I have such a wonderful husband, since the stroke we have had our ups and downs, but we always come out smiling. He is struggling with learning to accept the “new him”. He gets a little stronger every week. I’m so proud of his progress.

Alone at last……..

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Barry, do not take this the wrong way. You will be totally wrong. I love you more everyday!

I have the house to myself for the first time in over 5 years. Barry is at work, working hard and loving it. Mom is at the gym. The puppydog and I are chillin’ on the sofa. Resting. Peace and quiet, and not knowing how to handle it. I probably wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I could move. I hurt so bad, even getting off the sofa causes pain. Maybe someone is tellng me to take a nap.

With Barry’s stroke and my bain tumor, it got to a point that we could no longer keep our business open. Until the business closed, I had someone home with me around the clock.It was hard to get privacy in the bathroom.

Mom moved into the usiness end of the house. She has a way of rubbing me the wrong way, but we need to work it out. Barry has trouble with crowds, noise and chatter. He is having a little trouble adjusting to her presence, but he is getting there. Since the stroke, Barry has had difficulty deaing with crowds and chatter. Om is sweet as she can be, but she can be a chatterbox.