Sometimes, We Just Move Forward, as We Recover ...

Hello Everyone, and a Great Sunday night to you! 

These three towns [I call them hamlets] are part of my life. I presently live in neither but have previously lived in two of them. They are all close together. We all have a bit of a drive to the grocery store, Wal-Mart, etc. That does not stop us from moving about, moving forward, every time.

Please read, I hope you enjoy, and by all means, share! XOXOXO

Forward movement is a large portion of my life just now. In fact, it is a large portion of my very existence. I know you know that I am in recovery from brain injury/stroke last year in April. Many people have told me that I am recovering quite quickly and quite far and a few even have told me that I am a miracle.

So, you’re wondering what I’m writing about tonight, right?

So glad you asked.

I am writing about my awareness expanding as my recovery continues.

You see, for the longest time, I didn’t feel fully injured.

Other than the daily headaches and dizziness and general body weakness, I felt pretty much like myself. That, however, was a bit of a stretch.

You see, I couldn’t stretch. Now, that’s a good one. Stretching is an important part of my regular working out and I found it almost impossible at one point.

However, Stretching is Improving.

Another regular ‘thing’ that I couldn’t do was take long walks. At just about this time last year, my walks were up to 3 miles at a time, and they only took an hour or so. Sometime, it would be an hour and 15 minutes. During my recovery, I become able to take a supposedly long walk. Ha! I couldn’t even make a complete mile without taking a break, sitting on a bench for a few minutes. By the time I was done, I would be exhausted.

These days, I am exhausted in the middle of the afternoon, no matter what I have done. In any case, however, I continue to recover.

One big swing in my forward movement was relief from hallucinations. I took it upon myself to read as much as I could find about this experience. I wanted to know what caused them, when would they end, where they came from.

Lucky for me, I finally said it to the right doctor [an internist, I think] and he told me quite simply and clearly the hallucinations depend on the part of my brain that was injured.

Halla. Lu. Yuh. I love living and learning.

At that point, I did at least relax but they didn’t end.

Another big part of my recovery is my love of reading, learning, researching. I also love to share what I learn. Presently, I don’t have a large gathering of listeners and friends to share it with.

Yet, another reason to share with you.

Oh! ByTheWay: Please, readers, please, share these posts on every social medium that you use. You of course, may have no interest in the process of recovery from a stroke, you may not know anyone who ever had a stroke. According to the figures, you will soon be in of these groups.

One piece of information that really staggers me is the numbers of Americans who have high blood pressure, who smoke, who are overweight, those who don’t exercise, and finally, those who suffer from strokes. Are you one of these?

Staggering.

But, that is enough about me.

Tomorrow, I have a funeral service to attend. To me, it is crucial. It is the member of a family I love dearly, to which I was at once far-out related. I know all the members of that family, right down to the grandchildren.

It won’t be the first one I have attended this year.

It won’t be the first one of that family. Last year in January, that family had another one.

It won’t be a small gathering. And,

It’s expected to be so large, the service is being held at a white church, because it is much larger than the one in our neighborhood.

Wow.

Life is really something.

This person is only 12 years older than me. He told me once that he and my grandfather were baptized on the same Sunday, and how important that made him feel.

Well, I won’t continue with this eulogy, although that is what I want to be my specialty.

I won’t bother to tell you anything else about this dude, a stranger to you all.

However...

I will say this:

Life is real. Life is earnest, and the grave is not its goal

Dust thou art to dust returneth was not spoken of the soul.

...

Act, act in the living present, heart with and god overhead.

Lives of great ones all remind us, we can make our lives sublime

And departing, leave us, footprints in the sands of time.

Footprints that perhaps, another, sailing on life’s solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, seeing, may take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing, with a heart for any fate

Still achieving, still pursuing; learn to labor, and to wait. 

A Psalm of Life - Henry W. Longfellow 1838

NOTE: This is not all of the poem, just what I can recall at this moment. Thanks for smiling!

###

Okayyy! Now it is two nights later, the time is 10:11 p.m. and I am typing again.

I am entirely pleased with anything near to progress in my posting, so let’s all stand and applaud!

###

I was telling you about a funeral I had to attend. I did. It was a large gathering, held at a local white church. Imagine that. We didn’t completely fill the sanctuary, but we could have taken a smaller black church, and made a good fit.

History and cultural practices and traditions, are all other topics for the reverend to discuss. You may recall that I graduated from a liberation theology seminary and that is the point at which all my presentations begin.

OK. Fine. That’s enough of that for now. I will be here again soon. StayWell!

LiveWell, Everyone and

DrinkTeaToday!

 FURTHER NOTE: I will soon begin to share reviews of the books I am reading as I learn about Stroke recovery. 

www.thehealthreverend.com

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Sunday night in Cleveland, GA.

Cleveland is a small hamlet in northeast Georgia.

Small Hamlets in Northeast Georgia - Yawl Come to See Us!

 It is boarded by several other hamlets, each of which has some resemblance to us – Cleveland.

I may have said this already, but Cleveland was reasonably well known to me before I came to live here, because, I know people here, from school. Back in out 8^th grade years, African-American students from several other counties were bused to Habersham. They became good students and we all became friends.

Anyhow...

I haven’t posted in two weeks. I apologize for my laziness. I am not certain of this at all, of course, but I often feel that my daily exhaustion is causing me to become more lethargic. That is a bad course of action.

I gotta  get moving again, for good.

Well, as we all know, progress can not be rushed.

Nor can recovery—be rushed. At one point, I did start to realize I was rushing recovery so I have slowed down a great deal and am functioning much better.

I love books!

One thing that I have done: daily exercise. I walk for 30 minutes daily and before bed, I do some Yoga. I have always loved and adored yoga, strength training and running.

Whew, my feet and ankles hurt like the very devil. Who knows, I may run again some day.

They--feet and ankles--are needed for runners.

Again, I have slacked on my daily journaling. I agree with my sister that it’s a great aid in remembering the day before. However, something about it is saddening. These days, I am feeling saddened when I have no idea why.

One thing: an underlying fearfulness has been left behind by the stroke. I can’t quite figure it out as to why and from whence. I must say, however, it has lessened, but does still remain.

Among my present recovery-related goals is the location of a neurologist with a psychiatry/psychology background. I will not reset until I maintain an understanding of how all these different ‘impressions’ come and go.

In fact, I just want them to go. And yes, they are all going. In the meantime, I am reading all sorts of books and online articles and such, and I am learning daily.

So, I trust, are each of you!

Yes, my hallucinations have calmed down considerably.

Thank the Living God for that, and they don’t occur nearly as often.

I will tell you again, recovery is really something. 

Here, I am thinking about my journaling:

I must,indeed, put better efforts into that.

My thoughts seem to be coming to me like popcorn. I am not doing well, but I am doing something. :) 

One other observation regarding my memory/recall:

I have been sending my dear friend a daily greeting, which lead up to March 17, her birthday. I have learned and loved many poems in my life – thanks to the world’s greatest English teacher. These days, only two have returned to me. Imagine that.  Luckily, the one that I recall the most of is long: A Psalm of Life. So, I can use different stanzas each day. There are only four days left. We were both in the same grade when we learned it. She hasn’t yet said anything about her recall of it, either.

Sandra d. - Smiling.

In any case, I am just happy to live and breathe and laugh and read and learn. So, I trust, are you.

I will say good night now, and please remember, share this on your media sites.

NOTE:      Before I truly close, let me tell you this truth about my efforts. I simply can not recall what to do to upload photos from my phone. For that reason, you have no recent photos of Cleveland, GA, to show. However, it will change soon. Meantime, I am returning to another love of my life: Tea.

Please enjoy.  

As usual,

LiveWellToday/DrinkTeaAllDays!

SandraTeresa Davenport | www.thehealthreverend.com 

 

My Best Friends - Tea Stuff.

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Today’s News is Not Really New... Please read on.

Tell me what you know about this building, soon, OK? thx

Hello, Everyone, and Thanks for stopping by. You may recall that a few months ago, I made at least an attempt to resume my online presence-building.

I must say presence-building because I am moving just ever so slowly.

You may have been reading my blog for a while. If so, then you know that I’ve been ‘ill’.

And that I am now recovering. I am so very grateful. 

I have learned a great many, important things about recovery.

First of all: it’s long. Recovering from brain surgery is quite different from recovering from the flu, a cold, a bad headache, or even a stomach virus.

For sure.

Recovering from the brain surgery involves my brain recovering from the injury, my skull recovering from the incision, my lower body recovering from the overall reaction to the stroke and the surgery.

Right.

On April 13, 2016, I had a stroke, brought about by the rupture of an aneurysm. Oddly, I had just been reading about such cases, in the last few months of 2014.

These days, I have read much, much more.

I do not intend to continually bore you with information about my recovery and the experience that brought it on. However, I am convinced that the information I share with you is is great importance.

So, I won’t stop anytime soon.

On the other hand, I would like to share with you other parts of my recovery. I refer to my life these days as only recovery.

Because...

That is all that I am doing these days. I dare not make a list of chores for the day, or errands to run, or people to visit.

Any simple thing like going to the thrift store, the dollar store, the drug store and then, the grocery, all in one coupla-hour span, is out.

That’s right, out.

I have been amazed at many of the experiences I have --had during recovery. Some have—seemingly—come and gone, while others linger just yet. 

Of those that linger are, memory and full-body energy, making afternoon lethargy a companion. It happens at different times of the day, but comes really hard and heavy around 3:00 p.m.

Don’t get me wrong, it comes in the too, but really puts me to bed in the afternoon.

There are several reasons that continue to push me back to the computer, at least every Sunday, anyhow.

One of which: I sincerely see every opportunity to fulfill my call to ministry, where my focus is on LivingWellMinistries. It may not sound like a lot to you, but to me it is a lot.

I will stay much more present.

Another reason, I feel deprived, myself, when I don’t post.

That is not good.

So, for tonite, this is where we will end. I will be with you again next week Sunday—the first one of March, and we’ll take off.

Sincerely,

Your Friend, SandraTeresa Davenport 
thehealthreverend@gmail.com

www.TheHealthReverend.com  

LiveWellToday and DrinkTeaEveryday!

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I know. I recall. I apologize.

I am certain that this is a New Year.

I am certain that winter is here.

I know, for certain, I re-gained the weight I lost 

[No problem. I know what to do all over again.].

I recall that I stated in former blogs that I would post one each Sunday after noon.

You’re right: I have not done that.

...

Wow.

 Please forgive me.

During the New Year, I promise to do better.

What happened?

In April, I had a stroke, after an aneurysm ruptured. I spent four weeks in the hospital and was asleep for three of them.

Since that time, I have been in recovery. It can take a long time—years for some of us.
My surgeon said mine may take a year. If so, I have a definite four more months to go.
 Until then...
I’ll keep at least one promise per week...one blog posting.
 I want to share with others all that I have learned about Strokes since my recovery started.

I want you all to know as much as possible about to take the best 

care of your own health.

When you go to a doctor, I want you to know as much as possible and ask many questions.

Yep, you got it. I am no friend to doctors. I’ll likely say more about that later.

So, if you have, suspect or know you may have high blood pressure, work to lower it, please.

If you are overweight, decide what you will do to control weight.

Two Friends Walking in the Park, at Home

I just thought Yawl might be interested:
This is the hospital I was born in!
Come to see us, Ok!

If you need more sleep and release from stress, take another look at my site and there will be several references there, with more to come.
 Me? I absolutely love sleep and relaxation. Both of these help with lowering and releasing stress.
 I don’t want none of yawl to have a stroke, an aneurysm, high blood pressure.

Please remember: I am a southerner, and 'yawl' is one of my favorite words, after ‘sugar’.:)

I can help.

We have a great deal of information to share. I will surely do my part to make your part more fun and simpler, easier and much more workable.

I stand a much better chance of helping if I write weekly.

Y

Starting here and now, I will be more actively Yawl come in and join me, ok? as your time allows.

NOTE: one other interest that I gained: Trees

. I swear, every tree that I see these days is completely intriguing me. They each remind me of people entangled with each other, all of whom are trying to keep growing and moving upward. Keep an eye out. I’ll start posting very soon.

We have a lotta trees to share!
LiveWellToday!

So many sizes. This one is rather small and
I think it is in Phoenix, Az. 

Please, before I go, be sure to check my website. I'll be adding Trees soon. 




LiveWellToday!SandraTeresa Davenport | The Health Reverend 
LiveWellToday/DrinkTeaAlways!Listen In Sunday @ 3 EDT 

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Where Have You Been???

That's always the first question asked, at a gathering. 

Puzzles are Great Partners

Okay, so I know: when we’re writing for our blogs, we are often instructed to use unindented paragraphs. However, when I was taught to write papers, and yes, to type them, I was taught to always indent at least five spaces, so I do it. What do you do?

As usual, time continues to pass and my recovery continues in a definite way. I continue to learn about aneurysms-how when, where and why they rupture, recovery, and yes, rebuilding myself.

Rebuilding is no simple matter. Do you agree?

Rebuilding often means uncluttering something that you own and moving forward. It may be just ideas, it could be memories, hopes, dreams. Oh, dear, should I go on? Well, you get it, I’m sure. So, I must say that I am still uncluttering my head.

One reason for this is that I always wanted a long, healthy, happy life. These days, I realize more than usual, my part[s] in that.

A position that I have held for a long time is that for anyone who has survived 50 years in black skin [somewhere here in the U.S.], could easily survive for another 50, if they wanted to do so. My conviction was just that we would have to make some adjustments.

I, therefore, am adjusting.

One thing health principle of which I am totally convinced today: Things that truly have a negative affect on blood pressure, which also has a negative affect upon brain function and health, are simple.

To Grow Well, Adjust!

Extra weight. Make a decision to adjust and keep your weight at a healthy number.

Proper nutrition. Not boxed, canned or packaged with too many words that you can’t pronounce.

Stress. Decide whether you want to loose your mind all at once or a little at a time, and put yourself in control of your stress. It may mean changing jobs, or locations where you live and work. Why, heck, you may even need to change your sweetheart[s]. It won’t hurt a thing.

Tobacco [smoking]. I am nearly certain that if you are old/mature enough to care about this topic, read this blog and live a long life, you are aware of the horrors of smoking. Don’t. Do it, my friends.

Sleep. Do it properly, ok. Don’t sleep too much and pray tell, don’t sleep too little. Sleep is what enables the body to heal and move closer to true health. Try for at least 8 hours per night.

My siblings and I hosted a memorial service for my mother on Sunday afternoon. It was just lovely. The house was filled up with 50-60 people who knew, loved and enjoyed her. We even had small little children. Some of them were her great-grandchildren. I’m sure she loved it.

I know now that one property of the human existence, is joy. After that, everything goes a lot easier.

Until we meet again, do me this one favor:

LiveWellToday/DrinkTeaEveryday!

www.thehealthreverend.com

thehealthreverend@gmail.com

Drink Tea, Always!

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Wow. Sometimes, enough is just enough.

This is the armband I 

used while 'hospitalized'. 

More Photos to come!

If you have read my more recent posts, you know that I am officially in recovery. I am recovering from emergency surgery for a ruptured aneurysm, in April. After the better part of a month in the hospital, I am now released.

I have a new life.

That mean much more than approaching life in a different way; a lot more.

I am no longer shy. I was once quite shy with a lotta people [including relatives].

I am no longer lack confidence. I was held back from doing an entire list of ‘things’ because of my low self confidence. These days, I’m held back from doing things that I just don’t care to do. Like what? Job shopping.

Oh, that reminds me!

I am a retired American now.

That’s right.

I am beginning my second year with it and it has been quite lovely. The second happiest day of my life was when I awoke and realized I had no one to call and report that I’d be late for work.

Wow. Some kinda fun.

The first happiest day? The day I went to the first grade, in Cornelia, Ga. I already knew the teacher and most of the students. My grandfather took me there, spoke to my teacher and left. I never lost a tear. It was a great, great day.

So, too, was it a great day knowing that I no longer am anyone’s employee.

See, I’m not that good at it, anyhow.

Like I said, I’ve had quite enough of it.

At different times, I think of another type of career but haven’t started after it as yet. I likely won’t, until my recovery is complete. Hopefully, by then, I’ll have been gifted with another interest.

Again, enough is enough.

Keep Learning what you Love!

Now, I believe that we should all find out what we want to do, and do it. This is especially true for someone who spent 20, 30-plus years doing something distasteful, for pay. I am moving toward a temporary hospice chaplain.

Think over your life, before the time comes to switch. That will put you in an even grander position of choice.

My second piece of information has two parts: nutrition and exercise. Being the HealthReverend, I have always been informed of these two. Today, I have an even greater need for specific information because I am simply trying to recover.

If you have any of the possible indications: high blood pressure, stress, or if you smoke/drink a lotta alcohol, and don’t exercise… maybe we should talk.

Why? Because I want no one that I now know or may soon know, to come into this same experience—a hemorrhagic stroke. Look it up and let your brain expand.

LiveWellToday/DrinkTeaEveryday!

Your Friend,

Sandra d. – TheHealthReverend

www.blogspot.thehealthreverend.com

www.thehealthreverend.com

LiveWellToday/DrinkTeaEveryday!

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Hello, Everyone

This is just a note, but…

As you may recall, I haven’t posted here for quite a time. A time, indeed.

I have been ill. Not so.

I am in recovery. Correct.

In April of this year [2016] I experienced emergency brain surgery. Three weeks were spent in the hospital [out of my mind]. I have since spent the last several months at my sister’s home, in recovery.

The entire team of doctors/surgeons were impressed with my quick and full recovery.

What happened?

That was the favored question of the team.

Several members told me that the success I had with the illness and the recovery, were literally unheard-of.

What happened, what saved me?

It was a combination of the health and the genes I had on the day it happened.

What was it?

I was at my hometown Whopper. An aneurysm on a main vein ruptured. I had  a seizure, passed out, woke up, spoke of having too much heat. The people who worked/visited there, called the EMT crew and it went from there.

Those several weeks in the hospital, seriously, I was out of my mind. I have no memory of that experience. The only part of it I do recall is the day I was being released.

Right.

The two elder sisters were there, telling me that I was going home with the Number Two sister. I’d be staying there for as long as it took [for me to recover].

Wow.

Me, stay at my sister’s home until I recover? Really? Why? What happened?

[ @#!*% , I asked that question with a great deal more urgency than the doctors did.] The sisters told me piece by piece about the thing but I never ended up with enough information. I’m still seeking to know.

Anyhow…

I had a stroke. The reason it hurts so badly is that as you may know, I am healthfully aware: of myself, my age, nutrition, exercise, etc.

Hell!

I am a minister.

My work is in biblical principles of health and wellness.

I host a weekly radio show.

But noooo

I. Had. A. Stroke.

That is entirely heartbreaking.

Somehow or other, I passed over sooo much information that I encountered about stroke and high blood pressure and stress and weight and so forth…a lot.

Instead of applying it, I just left it there.

It never once occurred to me that I was a living, breathing stroke, waiting to happen.

But I was.

And I did.

I am also left almost-daily headaches and intermittent dizziness.

I have learned something about my long-term memory aiding my brain’s recovery. All this information is extremely interesting. I’ll never get enough of it. And I don’t imagine that I’ll ever stop talking it over, if someone will listen.

Thank you for your time in reading this post, my dear. It is the beginning of my posting recovery. There is a great, great deal to share; more to come.

Yes, there will be pictures.

Stay well!

Sandra d.

 LiveWellToday/DrinkTeaEveryday!

www.thehealthreverend.com
www.blogtalkradio.com/thehealthreverend

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