I found out something that I had already known; that is, that the jumpiness in my eyes and the uncontrolled blood pressure is in reality a side effect of the initial stroke. Because my stroke affected my brain stem, as I get tired my brain no longer has the ability to compensate for my weakness. Although the Dr. did say that it is theoretically possible that I am having a new round of TIAs, it not really a viable possibility because I do not have any other symptoms: headache, dizziness and nausea. The only "symptom" I have of a TIA is blood pressure that goes relatively quickly from normal (130/85) to very low (115/65) to very high (176/104). (By quickly, I mean in a matter of days, not hours). So, he told me what I already know: the best treatment is to get more rest, relax and give my body time to completely relax when I have "down time".
A few years ago I was presented with the opportunity to come back to Stratford, Iowa, to First Baptist church, as their pastor; for those of you who have followed this blog for some time, FBC in Stratford was my first pastorate. Let's just say I prayed about it as I was jumping at the opportunity. The church has a parsonage, so I could live there and not have to worry about a houe payment; and I needed to slow down, and this was a part time position (which, as a side note, allowed for me to get a greater disability from the VA than when I was working full time with St. Croix Hospice...) We love Stratford, and absolutely love the church; the people are wonderful and accepted us, again, with open arms. This was, for me, the perfect position: I get to pastor a church I LOVE, I get to do life with people I LOVE, and I have already had the opportunity to do weddings and baptism services for kids (adults now) that I have known their entire lives. IT IS GREAT. The longer I have been here,
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