Recovery of any sorts includes the passage of time relative to the parties going through it. There is a real thing called “time dilation”. Perhaps that is what I/we feel? I can’t tell you how many times we say to each other, “It’s time dilation striking again.” I do know, time flies in a different way since we’ve embarked on our family’s journey of stroke recovery.
As the seasons changed here, we’ve been finding ways to navigate all the different angles of what comes our way.
Example #1: When I checked to see when the last post I made was, I was shocked to see August 21, 2025. Where the heck did those 87 days go? Seriously…where did they go? Am I losing my mind? There are days when I’m on the fence and tetter on and off and today, I say, “YES!”
Example #2: The last time I wrote a post, my computer was working just fine. The promised forced Windows 11 updates arrived and all of a sudden nothing worked like it should. My computer was broken like Mr. who became broken when he had his stroke June of 2024. I couldn’t function in the blogging world without “my” tools of the trade I had become slightly comfortable with. Blogging became a back burner kind of thing.
Not a day goes by when Mr. wishes for the old days when he was, as he describes himself, a whole person. Especially knowing there are projects we would normally be doing and can only look at them from afar while watching others do them for us/him. Thankfully our kids volunteered and split and stacked the wood split so I (aka, Pioneer Woman as Mr. calls me) can burn wood this winter.
To overcome Example #1, I knew all I need to do is sit down and write, right? Seems like the easiest way to get that fixed. But, without a computer, it was even more difficult. After 30 days, my blog’s ‘comments’ are turned off so I couldn’t respond to dear blogging buddies who had commented. Sigh. I hope they forgive me.
To overcome Example #2, all I needed to do was buy a new computer and learn a whole new Windows environment and ALL that stuff. Easy-peasy, right? Well…if you’ve been following me for a long time, you know Mr. has always been my Knight in Shining Armor IT Guy. Said Guy was kind of out of IT commission during the big cyber push to go to Windows 11. So, I’m kind of on my own here.
With his help I ordered a computer. It arrived and weeks later I unboxed the purchase and set it on the counter. Had to order a different cable for the outdated monitor to the new computer. The big moment when I clicked the switch on, nothing happened. I was ready to box it back up and take it to Best Buy. Mr. wheeled around the island in his wheelchair and came through by helping me figure out the plug wasn’t pushed in far enough into the monitor to show me the computer was actually on and working. It’s amazing how the “obvious” seems to trigger the “oblivious” in me. Anyhoo, I’m so effing happy when the little things work out.
After all the spins and twists of what has gone down since last post, I’m sort of back in the blog writing business.
Early fall in Wisconsin has come and gone. It was pretty and we’re thankful to be home to enjoy it. Reminiscing often about how desperate we were to get him home last year at this time. A good reminder that with time things do work out.
So, what happened since my last post?
SO MUCH…! SO MUCH has happened!
The dreaded tooth removal happened early September!! Thankfully, no dry socket issues and it healed quickly.
The medication saga continued and reared up in another storm for us to pass through. He ended up with an allergic reaction causing pustules and boils and rash inflammation. That resulted in another medication change for his seizures. We had to ditch Lamotrigine and switched to Topiramate. We(I) don’t love the side effects of Topiramate (aka, short-term memory loss, word finding issues, grumpiness, etc.) but the seizures are less and quicker and his BP went down lower than goal amount, but not too low like last year.
Dealing with the skin flare-up issues has been long and tough. I learned to be a wound care nurse on the fly and all by myself. A referral to a dermatologist (after asking and waiting a full effing year) happened and the visit scheduled by me calling daily for an opening. We loved the staff there, and now we await the biopsy results due to come in early December. They were shocked we were told we needed a referral. “You don’t need a referral!” The dermatologists Rx’d doxycycline monohydrate for the rash (which by the way, contrary to the other doctors who said it didn’t cause the rash said, “Oh, yeah, Lamotrigine can and does cause lots of different skin rashes) and sadly the Doxy has caused his BP to go up. Sigh. Thankfully, the rash has cleared up and the stitches from the biopsy will be removed this coming week. Hopefully, his BP will return to the lower numbers after the antibiotic is done.
Physical Therapy has continued. With the AFO he finally received, he’s taking steps initiated by his own leg power and with the help of a platform walker and a therapist on each side. It’s SO fun to see his leg strength and the steps being taken in real time. Last year at this time he could barely attempt to stand up from the wheelchair on the parallel bars with the therapist holding/pulling him up the whole time. The hard part is me getting his donned AFO into the shoes!
Occupational Therapy has continued too. He’s able to lift 2#s with his left hand/arm. He can move his arm across the table and knock down cones. It’s fun to watch him try so hard and succeed. Last year he barely moved his arm on the ‘skateboard’. It was SO exhausting to think about moving his arm, let alone do it.
On the home front, Mr. taught himself how to navigate his manual wheelchair throughout the main floor. We all dream of the day he won’t need the hospital bed. He only spends time there to sleep at night. During the day, our cat, Tizzie, enjoys spending time soaking up the sun rays while sleeping on the bed.
This year is another different story for us to write about. We’re in our own unique state of time dilation. So much isn’t like it used to be. Yet, we’re those people who used to be. Tidier…neater…in separate offices…on different levels in our home…ah…the things we used to be. But we’re TOGETHER and at home!
PS – Thanks for understanding about the delays and lack of communication. I hope that life is treating you well. Hugs to you and yours!! xoxoxo😘
I tried visiting your site, but got some strange errors. Fortunately, I can read this in Jetpack (which I think WordPress would prefer anyway).
I’m glad to hear about the progress, and your collective positive attitude continues to amaze and inspire me. I hope you get the issues with Windows 11 worked out. I tried upgrading but gave up and bought a new laptop. So far, it’s gone pretty smoothly, although there have been a few bumps in the road.
I’m glad you have firewood, and you’re ready for the pioneer woman days ahead.
Give Mr. all the best from us. You both remain in our prayers.
Oh, dang, I should have known there would be issues using Windows 11. I have Jetpack too so that’s good to know it works for reading blogs. I found out that there’s known issues with WordPress and Windows 11, no surprise, I guess. I appreciate your persistence all these years to read my posts – you’ve jumped many hoops!! I hope your bumps resolve too. I think I’ll be working out my issues at a snail’s pace so maybe they’ll be resolved on their own? 🤣 I’ll try hard not to use the woodgrain look of the new PC tempt me into tossing it in with wood in the fireplace!
Thank you for your encouragement and prayers. I will always remember the moments along the way where your books were there to help me take my mind off of the challenges of the day.
Thanks Shelley. You, your husband and your family are true inspirations.
So glad to hear from you guys. Progress! Im trying to figure out Wondows 11 too. My IT guy is also my husband and he is mostly out of commission due to drug side effects. You know, irritability and fatigue. I need to become better at this stuff on my own. I hope nothing but good things for you two.
Thank you, Dawn! I’m glad to read I’m not alone in the Windows 11 adventure. It’s tough when our IT guys fall behind in the technology. Oh, no… I feel/can relate to the drug side effects. They are so frustrating. The fatigue and irritability make me feel the same way. We’ve had our share of those moments too so I’m sending you cyberhugs! I hope for the best for you two too.
I did read your last post but had difficulties replying, so I assume it’s part of Windows 11. Grr. I was happy to read about how you enjoyed sitting out in your own backyard to enjoy the Northern Lights. I remember your posts a couple of years ago where you ventured out in the dark night to capture them. I was impressed at the time that you were brave enough to do that at night!
Thank you for your support, it means so much to us. Hang in there with your hubby too!
Thanks for the update Shelley! I have been focusing on creating photo books of our trips should I someday stop blogging. So I have not been as involved on WordPress. But I did enjoy your update, a reminder of how real life is. And my takeaway for us all: “we are TOGETHER and at home” That says it all ❣️🙏
Thank you for stopping by Lisa. I appreciate the encouragement to share our journey of recovery. I still take a lot of pictures with my phone, and they come in so handy to remind me/us of how far we’ve come. We talk about a book someday, but I’ve got too much to do to venture into that project. LOL.
I bet your book is going to be so special. How will you choose just the right number of photos to capture the memories?! You have so many amazing memories and photos.
Enjoy your “Together” moments!!
Thank you Shelley! Sometimes it is hard to choose! But I do love the memories!
Hi Guys!!! I’m so happy to see you back here!! I am so happy that Vance is progressing, big hugs, sir! Keep on making forward progress, guys, and you are such a wonderful wife, Shelley. 🙏🏻❤️ God bless your entire family. The yard looks great, and how many chords of wood is that? wow! 😂👍🏻 See ya back soon I hope, have a great new week you two. ❤️
Hi John! Thank you for staying with us on this crazy journey and for your prayers too. Especially since you’ve been on a healing journey too. Glad to see you’re healing well!
We did hire a service for our yard, it’s been a nice thing to not have to worry about it. Vance does dream of maybe driving the lawn mower again someday…. 😉
I don’t know exactly how much wood is there, but it took 2 full weekends to split and stack. It was 3 large oak trees and the wood burns very warm, so we’ll hopefully be cozy this winter if I can keep up with the fire building.
Thanks again for the encouragement, I hope it won’t be 87 days again before I’m back writing! Hope you have a great week too!!
You are welcome Shelley! I too would want to be back on that lawnmower! It’s fun. I hope that we can all get together someday, you guys are like family! Big hugs for you both. I hope your daughters well too ❤️
Yay for all the things that are good. I was thinking of you last week so my manifestation of you coming by to say hello worked 😁
Makes me happy to know that things are improving albeit slowly.
I do hope you are looking after yourself as well Shelley 🤗
Hi Brian!! Aww…thank you for the manifestation vibes! I was thinking of you and your adventures too. We’re thankful to be improving, even if it’s slow. Looking back at photos and memories from last year help remind me how far we really have come. It’s not fast enough many a day, but we keep on keeping on.
I’m not so good at the looking after myself (YET)…but I do appreciate the reminder to do so! 🤗 Thank you for staying in touch!!!!
Hey Shelley, I guess things seem to be moving slowly now with the day to day.
Make sure you do care for yourself. We can’t having you not doing that. Take time for yourself, a little every now and then, to recharge 🥰
Shelley – I’m sorry I can’t open your post right now. I have a fellow blogger who also self-hosts and every so often I can’t open their site. I’ll bop back and try again tomorrow. Take care.
Thanks for letting me know there were issues…!
I don’t know why that happens Shelley … just you and Debbie (Doglady’s Den) as she also self-hosts. Recently it happened for two weeks where I could not access her posts after jumping from Reader to her site.
Hi Shelley! Nice to see an update from you, although I know you are busy, busy. Glad to hear things are progressing with Mister’s recover, and so happy you have someone who can “make wood” for you before winter sets in (my hubby great up in the city and always laughs when I use that Yooper expression). My brother in the UP is doing the same. It’s hard work. Hang in there. 😊
Hi Laurel! Thank you for stopping by and for the encouragement. It’s been a wild ride here and yes, I’m always very busy. We’re kind of dreading the winter as we already have cabin fever. It snowed today and reminded me that winter will set in soon. Yikes. So far this year, the new wood is easier to get started and it burns warmer. And you’ll get a kick out of this; Mr. has a baby monitor that sits next to his desk at the table. I have it set up in the room with the fireplace. He turns it on so he can watch me build the fire. 🙂 Is that creepy or sweet 😂 Take care and stay warm!
Hi Shelley – I got into your blog post this time, so I’m leaving a comment now, while the goin’s good. 🙂 It is great to read about all the progress you and Mr. are having in his stroke recovery journey. It is indeed a team effort for you two and look at the results! How about just getting a second pair of shoes for Mr., a pair dedicated just to use with the AFO brace? Yes, you’ll have a spare shoe, but you’ll also have valuable spare time as well. With all your spare time, heck you can make the Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings … just kidding. I hope your Thanksgiving will be special, with visits from the girls and their hubbies and a good time for all, minus the Black Friday rush, or will you still do that too? Hugs to you Shelley!! {{{ }}}
Hi Linda, thank you for your persistence and for making it back here when the blog was behaving! I’m glad you enjoy the progress report. I think about you often and want to send an email and then I get sidetracked with all the other things I have to do. Thanks for the ideas on the shoes. I did have to buy a pair of shoes that were a half size bigger to get the AFO in. That’s the pair in the photo. They do work quite well. The therapist that helped us with fitting the AFO in the first place said it is hard to get shoes to fit it. I saw online there are zipper top type shoes that would be great to get someday. So far, this pair works as long as I calmly put them on with the metal shoehorn.
Thanksgiving will be quiet here. The girls will be here on the weekend though, so we’ll celebrate then. Maybe we’ll do some online shopping. We miss our adventures on Black Friday, but we didn’t do that last year and won’t this year either. Something to look forward to maybe next year.
Hugs to you – it’s great to hear from you, I hope you are doing well and enjoying retirement! 🤗
Hi Shelley – nice to hear from you … you have a lot going on (and have since June 2024) so no worries about e-mails; when you have a few spare minutes, just breathe in deeply, sit and relax. Maybe next year you can do Thanksgiving weekend like you used to – maybe Mr. does the Thanksgiving feast and you’ll go to the mall again, though the deals are likely better online. 🙂
I am enjoying retirement and striving mightily to reach my goal as I took off too many days due to heat/humidity, wildfire smoke and rain this Summer, which I regret now. I’m gettin’ there hopefully. Hugs back to you Shelley and Happy Thanksgiving!
Wait, Lamotrigine causes rashes?? I’ve been wondering why this was suddenly a problem. My dermatologist never made that connection. He doesn’t seem concerned, but I find it annoying.
I say a big congratulations on conquering new technology. That’s a big deal! And “just” sitting down to write is harder than it sounds — as writers we all appreciate how hard it can be to bounce back from a lull. So glad to see you and to hear that you’re both adjusting to a new life together. 💛
Hi Laura! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Yeah…our dermatologist was quick with his reply that Lamotrigine can cause a variety of rashes and side effects. The rash was pretty intense and took some wild turns for Mr. I hope your rash is tolerable, especially if Lamotrigine is what works for you. It’s hard to find the medications that work. 😉
Thanks for the encouragement about technology. I’m finding more and more of the ‘bugs’ (aka, things I can’t figure out yet) as I keep using this new machine. Writing after not writing for a long time is quite the adventure. I appreciate hearing your perspective. 🤗