I HAVE LOST ALL HOPE

Lost all hope in ever finding a matching pair of socks. Although Joanne is doing most of the household chores, she doesn't do them with the passion she used to. I don't mean to complain, mind you, she has a lot more important things to deal with, like getting her frozen shoulder to stop hurting while trying to keep it limber. Working her hand to get her strength back and make her fingers work again. And she does endless, sometimes mindless word puzzles to work on her speech. She had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic which made her break out in a spotted, itchy rash, all over her body. Just as it was getting under control, it came back with a punch. She is finally feeling better. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We all are still adjusting to our new lives and it can be quite challenging sometimes.

LIFE GOES ON

It has been five months since the stroke and Joanne has been doing well. She still has to work on her fine motor skills in her right hand. It is taking a long time to get her hand and arm to work. She developed a 'frozen shoulder' which apparently is very common after a stroke. It is a very painful condition which limits the movement in her arm, which is makes using her right hand and arm very difficult and slows down the occupational therapy.
Her speech is still improving. Some days are very good and some days are not as good as others. She has a great sense of humor about it most of the time but we do have those moments when she is just plain frustrated and unhappy about it. Overall, she has been very positive and upbeat during all of these trials. She tries to schedule a good cry every two week or so.
We are all adjusting to all of the challenges and we all have good days and not so good days. Friends and family continue to help with chores and errands and we still have been receiving meals on a pretty regular basis. I am so grateful for all the help we have received. I don't know how we would have made it without all of the love and prayers we received.