Stroke recovery update, life is getting better and GOD is good to me.

[953 nut 55,909]

For those who don't know, I suffered a stroke on June first while visiting our granddaughter in Florida. I spent seven weeks in the hospital and rehabilitation before we were able to return home to North Carolina.

Over the past couple weeks I have had some in-home PT and the progress has been amazing. I am able to do so many simple things we all take for granted like having a shower and caring for myself without being a burden to my wife. I can stand for brief periods without hanging onto anything.  My ability to concentrate on tasks like typing this update has improved immensely, I am only taking a few medications rather than over a dozen and I know that the side effects of the meds was holding me back. I never was one to exercise for the sake of exercising but after so much time in a hospital bed I am pumping Iron  (although it is only five pounds) and doing resistance exercise to regain some of what was lost. It will be some time before I can get out to the shop and do some Horsing Around but I know that it will happen.

Thanks to all who have prayed for my recovery, please keep praying, God hears all of us and has been so good to me.

 

[cafoose 3,355]

[formariz 11,988]

Good to hear from you Richard and to know you continue to recover with your usual positive outlook on life. We’ll continue our prayers for your recovery and keep looking forward to hear from you. 

[wallfish 17,084]

Glad recovery is going well for you!!!!! Nice to have you back

[Pullstart 63,113]

So glad to see you back here on The Square, Mr. Richard!  Keep pumping that iron and we’ll have to call Arnold to the Big Show for arm wrestling competitions!  

 

 

[Achto 27,827]

Good to hear that your recovery is rolling along. Will continue to pray for your improvement.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,999]

Glad you are recovering and are back sharing your wisdom and wit... 

[WHX?? 49,193]

Good to hear Richard...thanks for keeping us updated! 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,357]

Great news , glad you are getting better.  You didn't miss any BBQ this year at the BS. Placed closed we will have to find somewhere else. 

[Ed Kennell 38,746]

5 hours ago, 953 nut said:

It will be some time before I can get out to the shop and do some Horsing Around                                 but I know that it will happen.

                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

With that attitude,   you have allready won the battle Dick.

[rjg854 11,511]

Glad to see you posting Richard    I trust now that you're home your recovery will even be faster.  God bless you.

[953 nut 55,909]

Stefan @Tractorhead reminded me that it is about time for a bit of an update on my recovery from the stroke.

My mobility is improving and I am regaining some leg strength. I am able to stand while doing routine tasks like brushing my teeth and shaving as long as I'm leaning against the bathroom vanity for stability. The physical therapy folks have given me several exercises to do while standing at the kitchen counter and I am able to use the walker rather than the wheel chair for short distances in the house.  The resistance level on the stationary bike has been advanced from 1 to 3 and I am increasing the time spent on it each week.

A couple of years ago I built a wheel chair ramp in our garage after my wife broke her ankle and on Friday the physical therapy lady had me walk down the ramp without the walker, I was only using the hand rails on the ramp for stability. After a few trips up and down the ramp my legs were giving out on me but it was very encouraging to know how far I have come in a few weeks. 

I am looking forward to the day when I will be able to return to what passes for normal in my life and hope all is going well for everyone.

[JPWH 6,123]

Good to hear you are making progress!

[SylvanLakeWH 25,999]

 

[Ed Kennell 38,746]

Thanks for the good news Dick.     

[Tractorhead 9,065]

Great to read about your progress.

Each day little closer back to normal is a fantastic result until now.

 

But please don‘t forget, there may be day‘s they didn‘t be that successfully, thats normal and a part of Life.

Ups and downs be normally like a hike in the Mountains, we be humans and no Robots,

that is a reason we be not every day in same constitution.

 

Each little Progress brings you closer to normal.

Sent some Prayers with stenght and passion.

 

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

Awesome news Mr. Schmidt !!!

[rjg854 11,511]

Keep up the good work, Richard    You'll get there, we're praying for you.

[Pullstart 63,113]

Great news update Mr. Richard!  Thanks Stephan for bugging him for an update too!  

[oliver2-44 9,875]

Great to hear from you and your continued progress. Prayers for a full recovery.  Tell you Physical Therapist that some wrench motion exercises would be very motivating.  

[953 nut 55,909]

Been a couple of weeks since my last update so I figured it was time to fill you in on the progress.

The neuropathy (numbness) on the left side from my shoulder to my hip hasn't gone away and I won't be able to see a neurologist until November. It isn't painful, hasn't interfered with the physical therapy too much and my doctor said it is not too unusual following a stroke.

On 8/13/2023 at 11:30 PM, oliver2-44 said:

 Tell you Physical Therapist that some wrench motion exercises would be very motivating. 

They told me that though wrenching isn't usually prescribed for stroke recovery I might want to add it to my  at home exercises.       

I have PT three days a week and each week I am able to walk further with the walker and have begun releasing both hands from the walker while standing. So far I can only do that for about five seconds at a time. I am able to release one hand while standing for two minutes, long enough to place my hand over my heart for the singing of our National Anthem. 

On 8/13/2023 at 2:20 PM, Tractorhead said:

Each little Progress brings you closer to normal.

Sent some Prayers with stenght and passion.

I am so grateful for the prayers and words of encouragement everyone has expressed. Each time I see a bit of progress it makes me that much more determined keep on going back to PT.

Though I can't get out in the shop yet Red Square affords me the opportunity to remain involved with  and that means a lot to me. Big Show is only a few months away, gives me a target to aim for, hope to see all of you there.

[Handy Don 12,481]

1 minute ago, 953 nut said:

Big Show is only a few months away

Such an optimistic view! Here I was thinking its a whole Fall and Winter and Spring away! Silly me. 😁

[rjg854 11,511]

Glad to hear of your progress, Richard. You'll get there in time. And until then the  will continue. We missed you at the steakhouse.

[wallfish 17,084]

8 hours ago, 953 nut said:

They told me that though wrenching isn't usually prescribed for stroke recovery I might want to add it to my  at home exercises.       

Perfect. Send me your address so I can ship a D250 for a complete overhaul & restoration!

Glad to hear you're hanging in there Dick! Attitude and determination are everything so it's nice to see you have that. 

[Pullstart 63,113]

19 hours ago, 953 nut said:

two minutes, long enough to place my hand over my heart for the singing of our National Anthem. 

 

I’ve been in the booth the last couple weeks recording Rylee’s football team for film review days.  Last night, I had the honor to stand on our team’s side for the first time.  Being high in the stands, I was glad to see the veterans in their formation and everyone else paying their respects with their hands over their hearts.  I’m thankful for those who take that with such respect, gratitude and honor.  Thank you Mr. a Richard, for being a veteran, for being strong and confident in your recovery!