Since my last update, I have been continuing to do really well. I did get approved to drive right before Thanksgiving! That has obviously been a huge blessing. My right hand is basically 99%. Most of the time I can't tell that anything ever happened. I continue to go to physical therapy for my equilibrium, but that has improved so much, that I'm assuming that she will graduate me soon. Most of the time, I can't feel any problems with my equilibrium. At this point, we are working more on getting my endurance up since I was sedentary for about a month. I also am able to do more with my days, which is nice. I still need to make sure that I get a full night's sleep, but overall my energy level is improving. My only complaint these days seems to be some soreness and stiffness in my neck. Still trying to sort out what that is and how to best treat it. Please be praying for complete healing of my neck.
This week I had my six week follow-up MRI and my follow-up neurosurgery appointment. My follow-up MRI was harder to sit through than the one I had originally. I think because I was so exhausted the night of my stroke that I slept through the first one. It is really hard to lay completely still for an hour when you are wide awake! I definitely inherited some of my dad's restlessness! At my neurosurgeon appointment, he told me that everything looked good, specifically that the dissection (tear) in my vertebral artery is healing well!! I am so thankful! He doesn't need to see me again until my next MRI which will be at the six month mark (end of April-ish). Nothing really changed as far as my restrictions/treatment. I will continue on a full Aspirin every day to keep the dissection from clotting and still cannot lift more than 10 lbs to keep the dissection from getting worse while it heals. He is confident that my six month MRI will look great and that my lifting restriction can be "lifted" at that time.
In the meantime, I am looking forward to spending some extended (compared to normal years) time at home in Memphis over Christmas. When I get back, though, I will be looking for something concrete to fill my time. I have found as my energy level comes back, that it is very unmotivating and even somewhat depressing to not be working. At times I feel very unproductive with my time, I think because I have "unlimited" time and nothing putting me on a schedule. I have been busy with traveling for Thanksgiving, my grandfather's funeral, and my brother's graduation, and thankful that I was able to have the time off to do all those things. However, I can tell that I miss my job and that sense of having a "purpose". It's amazing how much we place our identity in what we "do". I do know that there is a purpose in these "days that were formed for me" surrounding my dissection and stroke, and that ultimately my purpose is actually not mine at all, but God's purpose. Please pray with me that God will continually remind me of his purposes and direct me day by day with how he would have me to use this time away from my job.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Thanks again to you all who have been so supportive through prayer and encouragement during my recovery!! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!!
In the meantime, I am looking forward to spending some extended (compared to normal years) time at home in Memphis over Christmas. When I get back, though, I will be looking for something concrete to fill my time. I have found as my energy level comes back, that it is very unmotivating and even somewhat depressing to not be working. At times I feel very unproductive with my time, I think because I have "unlimited" time and nothing putting me on a schedule. I have been busy with traveling for Thanksgiving, my grandfather's funeral, and my brother's graduation, and thankful that I was able to have the time off to do all those things. However, I can tell that I miss my job and that sense of having a "purpose". It's amazing how much we place our identity in what we "do". I do know that there is a purpose in these "days that were formed for me" surrounding my dissection and stroke, and that ultimately my purpose is actually not mine at all, but God's purpose. Please pray with me that God will continually remind me of his purposes and direct me day by day with how he would have me to use this time away from my job.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Thanks again to you all who have been so supportive through prayer and encouragement during my recovery!! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!!
