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Okay, it has been awhile since I last posted...

I know that it has been awhile since I last posted, but this week has been busy at the church: we had Mission's Sunday, AWANA store night, Habitat for Humanity dedication, I have had 2 people in the hospital. I know that it is normal, but it has been busy recently. So, where do I begin...For about 2 weeks or so I have been noticing a little weakness in my left arm. What I did not know is if it was new, or it I just noticed it because I did not use my right arm very much for the first few months after my stroke. I made an appoitment with my neurologist and went to see her today. 
She did a neurologic scan on me and did a CT scan. What she found is that I have no new areas of concern in my brain. That is the good news. What she did say is that the weakness is probably new, or at least it was not noticeable in the hospital or in my first few neurology appointments. It is related to one event, but it is probably due to the busy-ness of my schedule. Basically what she said is that I have to slow down a little (like I have not been told that before) because my body just does not recouperate as soon any more. The weakness is from my body reacting to my schedule. She reminded me that she did tell me that I would have stroke-like symptoms if I get sick or tired or am stressed. 
What I have to figure out is what to do with the information I got today. It has been busy the last 2 weeks or so, but it has not be abnormal when compared to the last 7 years. It has been busy when compared to the last 4 months since my stroke, but it has not been an abnormally busy time for a Senior Pastor. I had a little bit of a melt-down today because I came face to face with the reality that I HAVE TO slow down. I do not have a choice anymore: it is not something I should do; it is something that I have to do. That is tough for me to take: slowing down because I have to, not because I want to. The challenge is making what I want to do and what I have to do the same thing. For now, I will just pray and do my best every day (as if I don't now) to adjust my routine to match my new reality.

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