Abilene Motor Express....A New Place To Call Home

Hey y'all

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday.

It is with a heavy heart that I make this post. On November 5th, I had a rather substantial stroke. Luckily, it happened shortly after I got home from the road (if there is a "lucky" aspect). Unfortunately, the doctors are pretty much saying that my days of driving are over. The stroke has dramatically compromised my hearing, vision, and walking (if you saw me walk, you would think I am REALLY drunk. The stroke is what is called a brain stem stroke, and although the doctors are saying I might get back some of my loss, they are being very careful to paint a realistic picture for me.

Pretty much for the most part, I am totally at the will of others when it comes to going to the store, eating, and other mundane tasks that I never even thought twice about. Thank God I have Lisa and a GREAT support system.

So what am I getting at?

Be thankful for everything you have and everything you can do. There are so many things that come naturally and without thought. Walking, hearing, seeing, driving, and so much more. Consider what it would be like walking around, drunk as a fish, crosseyed with doublevision, and incapable of hearing. And that is just MY situation. There are so many others out there that have it much worse than me. Sometimes, we don't even consider HOW MUCH we have to be thankful for. Take a minute today while you're driving down the road. Give thanks for your blessings, and let your loved ones know how important they are to you. Do it while you can. Tomorrow is not a promised day.

Y'all be safe, be wise, and be happy.

 

ScooterDawg I am really sorry to hear I wish you the very best in recovery glad you have a great support system at home and you have here also, don't be a stranger always in our prayers.

 

@ScooterDawg

Oh my... A good woman and Support Group is a big Blessing too. And yes, having it occur while at home vs on the road, another Blessing for sure. Will keep you and yours in our thoughts and prayers during this very unfortunate time of transition for everyone on your Team. Miracles do still happen and prayer works... I assume some form of Physical Therapy will be in your future if not already. Focus on gaining as much back as possible... That's your job for now... Work hard at it.

And Thank You very much for this reminder that anything can happen at anytime... We all need to be Thankful for what we have and express that to our own loved ones before that sometime comes.

Thanks for that reminder to the rest of us.

Peace,
MD

 

Thanks buddy - I appreciate that more than you might know.....

 

Thanks MacDaddy... everything you say is very true.

And yeah, lots of dr appts ahead. Phys Therapy is one of many. Quite frankly, I'm about tired of having people poking and prodding at me. Lol. I am blown away. Neurologist, Cardiologist, Audiologist, Ophthalmologist, Endocrinologist, Therapist. It never ends. And don't even get me started on the medicines and diet!!! Luckily, Lisa understands that I am not one to restrict to drinking only water and licking chicken (which is what these dietitians are eluding to). Ain't happening!!! The way I see it, if these are actually my "final days", they are not going to be spent being miserable and hungry!!! I think I have found a comfortable and reasonable middle ground", and the doctors seem to be ok with it. Heck, I have already almost 20 lbs. And for the record, this is a really crappy weight loss program.... LOL

 

Amen Brother... A terrible thought but so true... A middle ground seems appropriate... Like you said... "Miserable and Hungry" for the sake of a few extra days/weeks/etc of being more "miserable and hungry"... Again, sounds like you got a good woman there for you too... A true Blessing to have.

"Licking Chicken"... So made me laugh... Thanks for the smile today!!!

Peace,
MD

 

@ScooterDawg it really does make you appreciate what you have. I had surgery on my foot last October. It put me out of work for a month and a half. I had to stumble around on crutches.

My wife made me get it done. She doesn't let me slide on things like that. I can only imagine what you're going through.

 

Well Evo, it definately has become a life changing experience. Years ago, I was on crutches for a period and that was not included on my list of "Hey, I wanna do that again". ) I feel for you.

Yeah, there is a lot of "new" things in my daily routine. But I'm still breathing, I'm still able to enjoy my daughters and grandson, and I can still find things to make me smile. But I am NOT going skydiving, Rocky Mountain climbing, or riding some bull named ## Manchu. Lol.

 

@ScooterDawg, so sorry to hear of your troubles. Thankfully you were home and you have a great support system. Keep your head up and enjoy being with your family as much as you can. Life is indeed a journey with many twists and turns along the way. Some a little more hairpin than others, but the right attitude (which I think you have) can carry you through. You & yours will be all of our hearts and prayers.