It's been a long time since I've added anything to my blog, and so I've decided to get back into it. It's time to try again.
I had a stoke back in early May; it was not the sort of stoke that I would ever consider as one of my experiences. It was different than anything I had every known; I really even had not heard of this type of stoke. Of course, that was just my personal knowledge. It is probably much more common that I ever knew; I've read a lot about it; and I've found examples of people who are acting and reacting just like me.
I now have aphasia. Look up that word if you're unfamiliar. I guess I can best explain it in this way. I am sitting at the computer and writing this material, and it is very easy to do. I may have slowed a little, but I can still type and communicate at a fast pace. It seems to me to be normal and usual. (You can let me know after you've read . . you can fill me in on the mistakes that you might find.)
No, my problem is not in writing and in certain levels of communication. My problem is related to reading and understanding words. I still have a goal of reading the newspaper each day, and I usually accomplish some type of reading. It does take me a long time to finish, and I often don't really understand the words and thoughts that are being communicated. I am often baffled by simple words that were once very common to me. I sometimes feel like a pupil in the 2nd or 3rd grade class. I can see the words and the letters, but I just don't really know the word. I am now involved in reading a book on Texas History. I'm averaging 5-10 pages a day.
It's a strange feeling. I don't feel any different than I felt in the past. I didn't and don't have any pain or outward indications of a stroke. I'm able to drive and do the yard work. think I'm the same old guy, but my reading and understanding ability has suffered.
The diagnosis indicates improvement over the coming months. One of the things that will help me is to write and talk about it. SO . . that is what I'm doing in this blog. That's why I'm telling you the story. I certainly am not looking for any pity. I'm determined with God's leadership that He is still in control. I've been preparing all my life for a trial like this. It's already a fun trial.
