a stroke survivor story

If you are able, please tell me what you think about this. I am still waiting for someone to explain my recovery apart from God.

I was searching the web and found a song that I had forgotten about...it really brings things into perspective for me. I know that my situation was (and is) bad, but it really could be much worse; I just have to remember that God only expects me to what He allows me to do.

After reading my blog post from yesterday (i.e. me complaining about my wait at the VA), someone made a very simple and yet profound statement to another person about me. The comment was, "Listen to the dead guy complaining about the wait at the VA". I do have to remember that the worst wait is just an inconvenience; it is small in comparison to the alternative - DEAD. Thanks for putting up with me whining about my wait and please don't hesitate to remind me to be thankful for all the blessings that I have...this winter, although it is seemingly endless, is just a nuisance; the car-line at school, even though some people don't know how to drive, are just irritations. In truth, anything above ground is very good. Thank you, God, for every day that I am alive.

I had a really good visit with the neurosurgeon...that is, after I got over being frustrated at driving 1 1/2 hours and then waiting for 2 hours for my appointment, and then my appointment was only 10 minutes! (But that is a side issue). The result of my appointment was what I had anticipated...they recommend against doing the surgery. Apparently they do that type of surgery (removal of the occipital bone flap) pretty frequently. Many times people are born with a malformation and they have to remove that bone flap to fix the malformation. Anyway, what she said is that even in kids as young as 1 or 2 years old they do the surgery and do not do anything to fix it. And then she told me what I wanted to hear...as with any little child, kids frequently fall...since they do not recommend that parents shelter their kids, they told me not to allow the fact that the occipital bone is missing to make me do any less. In other words, if I want to run a 10K race, then I should and not let the fact ...

I received an interesting phone call yesterday...it was the neurosurgeon at the Iowa City VA hospital, scheduling me for a visit with her. I have been a little worried about the gaping hole in the back of my head from my surgery (ok, it is not really a hole, because it is covered by muscle, skin and hair, but it sure feels like a hole) and I wondered about having a cadaver skull put in place so that I can lead an active life. The neurosurgeon in Iowa City said that, initially, she would recommend against that, but she wants to meet with me in person to explain the reasons for it. I am sure, since I am not a neurosurgeon, that there are plenty of medical reasons for me not to have the surgery, but I am a little leery of being as active as I used to be (running, playing basketball, riding my bike, etc.) with that part of my skull missing. To make a long story short, she fully understands my reasons for wanting the surgery, but her initial reaction is to recommend against it.