Welcome note

When my husband and I set out to find and take pictures of wheelchair accessible waterfalls in every U.S. state, we were excited about the challenge. We gave ourselves no time limit to accomplish our feat; however, we had one mutually agreed upon rule that dictated how long we would stay in any given area. That rule was to never shiver again. Needless to say, adhering to this rule presented a new challenge. The new challenge was to find a waterfall that was actually flowing. Visiting mid-west and eastern states during months that prevented us from shivering are the same months that are hot enough to dry up streams; hence, little or no water flow for waterfalls. The natural scenery and picturesque landscapes warrant a second visit in the early spring right after the snow melts.

Bob and Jan

Bob and Jan
Christmas Eve

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Saturday, August 27, 2011

New focus for What Now Jan blog

For the past two years, I've written about the progression of Bob, who had a ruptured brain aneurysm and brain surgery. He has beat all odds and has survived with little damage. I believe the damage will correct itself over time. The damage is only his short term memory loss. Many times, Bob doesn't remember what we did during the day. He, also, still thinks he's in Iowa. The past five years that he has been in Oregon have been misfiled in his brain. As soon as the file is found, five years will be regained.
This blog will take a new focus. I recently had a procedure done called CCSVI, Chronis Cerebro Spinal Venous Insufficiency. In layman's' terms, my jugular veins weren't working properly. They weren't allowing an adequate amount of oxygen to flow to my lower body; hence, my muscles weren't working properly. The procedure is not a cure for multiple sclerosis, but it is supposed to alleviate many of the symptoms.
I had the procedure two weeks ago. My progress so far is an increase in humph. I'm not as content to sit in my wheelchair. I feel every ache in my butt and legs when I sit too long. I guess that's a good thing; however, since I've sat in a wheelchair for the majority of six years, my legs have atrophy. I have little endurance, so I can't stand long. It's a double-edge sword for now.
Each week, I will post a "week-end" update to journal my progression. Keep your fingers crossed.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

ONE YEAR

It has been one year since Bob has been home from his 10 1/2 month hospital stay. My how time flies. The past year flew by faster than the year before. Bob had a one year checkup on Friday. His CT Scan shows no blood on the brain and no pressure. All of his blood work is normal. His blood pressure good. The doctor advised him to lose weight. Which Dr. hasn't? Anyway, if he loses weight, his blood pressure problem may go away. He is on a very small dose of blood pressure medicine, so exercise may correct that. I told Bob that he has no more excuses for not exercising or eating right or being forgetful. I still look back at what all of the medical professional said. Their doubts of Bob's recovery were "for the birds". I never doubted Bob's recovery for one minute. Call it denial or what you want, but Bob is here; that's what I know!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Don't forget the camera...

I've never have been much of a picture taker person. When my kids were growing up, I always forgot the camera for special events. I'm not going to be so forgetful anymore.

I've found another real good reason to take pictures.

Bob doesn't remember too much about the last 4 years being with me. He knows everything before that time. :( I took him to the coast yesterday to jog his memory on stuff that we've done over the past four years. We went to the Harley store. Once we got there, he remembered he bought his motorcycle there. He also remembered some of the people and where they sat at their desks.

We went to a variety of Capes to look at the sea lions. Previously, he was always amazed at seeing sea lions in the wild. He remembered those places too.

But, showing pictures to someone with "amnesia" is a perfect reason to not forget the camera before a catastrophic event happens.

Friday, February 18, 2011

All is well on the western front...

Sorry, I have become so laxed with my blogs lately. I'm driving myself insane trying to plan a wedding, start a new career, keep up with my online teaching, take two online courses for learning how to read market charts, and keep my kiddos on the right track. Whew! MS? Who has MS? I don't have any time for MS.

Bob is doing very well. Right when I think he's not going to remember to do something, he surprises me, and it's already done. Geesh...

Did you ever know there is a million ways to read market charts? If you get the readings right, you can be a successful trader. Being the perfectionist that I am, I'm going to get it down to the science it seems to be. WATCH ME!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Coffee, the miracle liquid...

After Bob's stroke, his personality has become very mellow. He doesn't take any medications that slow him down. People are misinterpreting Bob's mellowness for not being "with" it.

Bob drank an entire pot of coffee before his stroke, but after his stroke he'd drink maybe one or two in the morning. I don't drink coffee, so I don't know the "real" effects that it has on the body. I can only observe the increased speed in the drinker's movements and speech. However, I believe it is a under-estimated drug. A friend of ours suggested giving Bob an entire pot of coffee again to see if that would wind Bob up. So, I did that very thing everyday this week. And, amazingly enough, it worked. Bob was thinking and talking normally. He wasn't as mellow.