Update From My Perspective (David, that is)

Thanks again to my wonderful wife for doing such a great job of using her blog to get the information out to everyone about my progress since my November 2nd stroke. If you haven't read her latest update in this section posted yesterday, make sure that you do that before you read these additional comments of mine.

I have begun meeting 2 times a week with a physical therapist who specializes in athletic rehabilitation. This was suggested by my very capable therapists at English Oaks when they felt that they had reached the extent of their expertice in my case. I specifically want to get my stride back for running, so this seems to be the next step in my recovery. I was very impressed with my initial evaluation and session. We are going to start with some intense work on balance and work on building up some specific muscles that are not yet doing their part. One of the main muscles that seems to be lacking is the hip flexor (I think that's what he called it). This seems to be causing my left foot to turn out when I walk and causes the muscles on the inside of my leg to do most of the work rather than sharing equally with the muscles on the outside of my leg. MY familly is seeing me standing on one foot at a time these days quite a bit, trying to retrain my brain to learn to better balance my body, and getting the receptors in my feet to better talk with my brain to know how to do that. This is combined with some exercises that specifically work those muscles that I need to use at the same time if I am truly going to have my balance back again. I've been told that we will not begin working on improving the stride until I improve in both of these areas.

I had a major success today in that I completed my first 3 mile run on pavement since my stroke. Once I got used to the slap of my left foot on the ground as I ran, I was able to get into a pretty good rythm and completed the 3 miles in just under 24 minutes. Being able to get in good aerobic exercise like that is really what I am after. To my surprise, it didn't hurt and doesn't hurt now (2 hours afterward). I had been doing my limited runnung on grass figuring it would put less stress on my knee, ankle and foot, but my new PT highly recommends that I NOT run on grass because it provides such an uneven surface and he fears that that in itself may lead to injury. So, I am pleased with today's accomplishment.

I continue to look forward to a day when I no longer have to think about every step I take as I run or walk and it just becomes a natural occurance once again. In the meantime, I just praise God for the wonderful work he continues to do in me and pray that progress will continue. Know that I am working hard at my therapy daily and am full of hope from my recent evaluation and training. God continues to teach me patience.

8 Months Later

Well, it's a bit more than 8 months later - and it's David's birthday today - his first since his stroke.  What a great day to celebrate!!!

I sometimes wonder if there are people other than friends and family reading this - perhaps others who have been impacted by stroke and are looking for what to expect or what to compare to - so, I'd like to post detailed specifics of what's up at this point.

There is a bit of new news to report, but for a while now we've been at a place where the daily leaps and bounds of progress is no longer happening.  When we try to envision exactly where we are we find it a strange task as we balance between hopes of what might yet will be regained and thankfulness at how much has already been regained.  We don't seem to really be able to settle into "normal" yet, because David is at a place where progress is still possible and where he is spending a lot of time working hard for it, so this yet remains quite in the forefront of our lives rather than receding into the background - even though he has come so far and can do so much and to anyone looking at him seems fine.

Some good news is that some of the fine motor skills that had not been in place are returning.  He told me the other day he was able to clip his fingernails in one minute rather than the five minutes it had been taking.  (That might sound mundane, but to us it is really exciting and evidence that measurable progress continues to happen!)  Some more good news is that David has gotten in to see a sports therapist, and it has been such a good experience.  He went for his second time this morning.  He feels good about the thorough evaluation and the direction this therapist wants to take.  

David's goal is to be able to run distance again and to be able to work towards that without orthopedic injury.  (Earlier in the year he was injuring his knee by the attempts at running he was making - to the point where knee surgery was being considered - we really want to avoid that!)  The goal is to work on correcting his stride, so that he will not injure himself.  He was told he has 80% muscle strength (mass? - not sure) on his left side and that his balance is still not where it should be, so the therapist is working with him on balance and strengthening.  Once those are at a better spot, work on stride will begin.  David is very excited and feels he is in good hands.

Insurance is not going to cover the therapy this time, but it is amazingly less expensive than we could have imagined, and it is going to be very doable financially - and very much worth it!!

We recently returned from a trip to MI.  This was the first major traveling David had done since his stroke, and it made clear to him some things that are not working that he had not realized are not working.  For instance, getting luggage off an airport carousel was very difficult and pointed out how much his balance is still lacking.  It was also difficult to haul luggage up and down stairs (they actually have stairs in Michigan!).  

He noticed some things too when joining in athletic activities with extended family - particularly dodgeball (which is played out there in a totally different fashion than how I learned it in California!).  When he tried to throw hard to get someone out it really hurt his knee very badly.  I guess he hadn't tried to "torque" like that since his stroke.  It was probably a combination of balance issues and his right side being disproportionately stronger than his left.  I don't think anyone else noticed.  He just stayed out there and started shooting baskets instead to try to free his teammates rather than trying to get people out.

The balance thing was also noticeable a few days ago when he had a minor mishap with his bike.  He's had a very swollen ankle ever since that's not improving as fast as I would think it should - or would like it to.  I think perhaps the circulation isn't as good on that side or something.  It may be that healing takes long on that side now.

He still lacks feeling on his left side.  At one point during our vacation he put his left arm around my waist and looked at me with a smile on his face and said, "Well, I can't feel ya, but I KNOW I've got ya!"  :-)

So that's where things are right now.  David is feeling very positive - recognizes some limitations that he hadn't noticed before but also recognizes the progress he's made.  He's extremely positive and excited about this new direction in physical therapy and is pleased with his therapist.

I'm just so happy that it's summer and he has lots of time to work at all this.  Hopefully he will be able to establish a good sustainable pattern before going back to teaching in August.

We are truly celebrating David's life on this very special day!!