Project education update...

Be prepared. When you least expect it, you'll need medical information for yourself or someone in the family. Go here to get a copy of a book that I wrote out of necessity. I needed Bob's medical information time and time again. I designed the book by using a variety of medical forms that repeated the same information over and over. The book is only $14.95. That is 14.95 well spent dollars. It can also be used in emergency situations. If available to EMTs, all of your medical and identifying information is right at their disposal.Included in this book are stroke and heart attack warning signs, caregiver lifting tips, and travel first aid tips. Important information right at your finger tips. Get a book for everyone in your family.

I was told today that Zachary will need to go to a room that the school provides everyday to complete his online classes. Now, figure that one out! He needs to go to a building to work on individual online classes, not group activities, but individual online classes. We have Internet at home, and I have a Ed. D. I've taught at the collegiate level for 14 years. I think I'm qualified to supervise; don't you think?

Last night, I emailed the Superintendent of the Oregon Department of Education. I proposed to supervise and report statistics for a pilot duel program for students to take electives in school and complete classes online. Cross your fingers to see a positive answer. I added a piece on progressive learning too. Progressive learning is a concept that started right here in Oregon.

Project education...

Be prepared. When you least expect it, you'll need medical information for yourself or someone in the family. Go here to get a copy of a book that I wrote out of necessity. I needed Bob's medical information time and time again. I designed the book by using a variety of medical forms that repeated the same information over and over. The book is only $14.95. That is 14.95 well spent dollars. It can also be used in emergency situations. If available to EMTs, all of your medical and identifying information is right at their disposal.Included in this book are stroke and heart attack warning signs, caregiver lifting tips, and travel first aid tips. Important information right at your finger tips. Get a book for everyone in your family.

I have a gripe to vent. This time it has to deal with the educational system. Oregon is on the low end of the totem poll when it comes to putting money towards educating the kids. They do not provide enough opportunity for alternative styles of education.

During the second half of the past school year, Zachary was sick. I had to withdraw him from school. Eventually, he was able to take band in school while completing his English, Math, and Science online.

Now, I want him to continue taking electives at the school, while completing academics online. Because of how money is allocated, he cannot do both. Figure that out! I think I have a new project.

www.travel-mobility.com

Be prepared. When you least expect it, you'll need medical information for yourself or someone in the family. Go here to get a copy of a book that I wrote out of necessity. I needed Bob's medical information time and time again. I designed the book by using a variety of medical forms that repeated the same information over and over. The book is only $14.95. That is 14.95 well spent dollars. It can also be used in emergency situations. If available to EMTs, all of your medical and identifying information is right at their disposal.

Included in this book are stroke and heart attack warning signs, caregiver lifting tips, and travel first aid tips. Important information right at your finger tips. Get a book for everyone in your family.

travel-mobility.com

All is better on the west coast. Bob's brain is reconnecting the wires or making new connections. I try to challenge is memory a few times each day by having him remember a list of items. The funny things is is that I have to make sure I remember the items. I definitely have to sit with Bob and think hard about the items that I asked him to remember.

Remember to order your Personal Medical Information Book at www.travel-mobility.com. I wrote the book because I was tired of having to recall all of Bob's medical information a zillion times. This book allows me to have it all written down, then I can had it to the nurse who's taking his medical information.

Personal Medical Information Book...

The Personal Medical Information Book is ready for purchasing! Do you often find yourself needing to recall medications and the dosage? Do you need to recall family medical information? Is all of your medical information written down in an easily accessible place?

So often over the past year I needed all of Bob's medical information. That's why I designed this book. All of the necessary medical information is all in one small easy to grab book. I keep one for Bob and one for me in the car.

Heck, today, I had an eye appointment that asked me medical information. The book came in handy.

Visit travel-mobility to order one for each member of your family.

Another day of recovery...

Today was a good day. We picked up my engagement ring. Now, reality is setting in. Although, nothing will be any different than it has been for the past four years, there just a feeling of being connected. It's hard to explain.

Bob is very aware that he has lost about a year and a half of time. He knows that when he says something just happened, to us, it has been two years. He's learning not to argue with me about when something happened. He'll tell me he just talked with someone a few weeks ago, but in actuality, it's been two years. How frustrating would that be? Sounds like some movies I've seen.

Memory seems to be slowly improving. The problem now is that Bob combines five different happenings into one story. Let me tell you, those stories are quite interesting. Combining over heard conversations with what he sees and what we've done is quite a puzzle to decipher. :-)

Bob walks without assistance everywhere now. He gets "pooped", but he stills plugs along. He pushes my wheelchair, which he uses as support (I guess that's some assistance.) But, if he didn't have to push me, he wouldn't use type of assistance. :-)

Chicken bone spoon...

There is a story behind the above picture. Bob wanted to go on a drive again. So, we got KFC, and headed up the mountains to have a picnic by one of Oregon's gorgeous waterfalls. We drove and drove and drove. I couldn't find the waterfall that I was thinking of. After fifty miles, we pulled into one of the many campgrounds by the river. We took the KFC (chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and biscuits) out of the bag only to find that the KFC worker forgot to give us any plastic ware. NOW WHAT?



Bob ate the chicken off of the bone and became a caveman. He used the bone as a spoon to eat the mashed potatoes and gravy. Butter was put on the biscuits after each bite. We were pioneers.



Bob's email

Jan's email

Bob's memory catapulted forward...

Bob was "on" today. We spoke to some of his clients. We used the speaker phone to introduce me as Bob's new assistant. What nice people they are. Bob was so professional, as always; it was fun. Doing some resemblance of being a broker, Bob's memory seem to catapult forward.

Bob's short-term memory expanded the entire day today. He even took a nap! Before today, a nap always seemed to "wipe the memory slate" clean. But, not today. He remembered taking Zachary lunch at his band camp. Bob asked Zachary at 8:30 pm, "How was the sandwich we brought you?" I had to give my t a high five for remembering.

Bob and I were discussing when a certain company bought out another company. The takeover happened in 2008. This discussion has occurred on a daily basis for the past five months. When I asked Bob when Iowa Grain was bought by ADM, he said, "Well, everyone keeps telling me two years ago, but to me, it just happened." If you think about it, if something happened in 2008, then Bob had his ruptured aneurysm in spring 2009, and he can't remember things from May 2009 to now, of course, the buy-out just happened.

WIIFM...

Why can't people treat others the way they would want to be treated? The world would be a better place. That was the topic of today's church service. Bob and I are in the midst of dealing with all kinds of people who are showing us their true colors. They are human. Humans instinctively do what is best for "me". I wrote an article once that focused on radio station "WIIFM". Station "What's In It For Me". You can read it on one of my websites, www.professorjan.com That article was also published in OHS magazine, August 2009.

Bob walked into church today without any type of assistance. I could tell he was very proud of himself. (As he should be!)

Bob's email
Jan's email

Good days and bad days...

Bob still has good days and bad days. Today was a not so good day. He had trouble with standing and walking. (Boy, do I know that feeling all too well.)

Bob wanted to go for another "Sunday" drive again today. I told him that we couldn't, because every time we go for a drive we always end up in California. I can't wait til he gets his driving "wits" back.

Some people have asked about my new medicine that I started in May. It is a newly approved medicine by the FDA that is supposed to help those with MS walk faster. I think it helps me walk a bit better; however, I also think it is has plateaued. I got a little better, but I've stopped improving. I shouldn't be disappointed, because, at least, now I don't have to lug my wheelchair out of the car everywhere we go. I can do some walking with assistance.

Bob, on the other hand, is walking without his walker. We don't even take it in the car, unless we are walking a long distance. Woo-hoo!

The amount of readers amazes me...

Everyday, when I sign on, I scroll down the page to see how many views there have been to this website. To date, there has been 32,281 views. That is amazing to know how many loved ones my t has. Some have said reading the blogpage is part of their morning ritual -coffee and blogpage. Some also have said they read it before going to bed. These people know what time I post. Earlier in this whole ordeal, posting at midnight was not rare; now, 7pm is very common.

Bob's walking is better. When he walks he looks like he is dancing. I told him that he needs to put earphones in and cary an iPod so it looks like he's dancing to music.

Bob's email
Jan's email

Today was domestic lesson day. :-) Bob had always been helpful with the chores around the house; however, since his stroke, his brain conveniently forgot how to do chores. (I'm sure a little of that has to do with being male too.) Sorry guys :-( Anyway, I retaught Bob how to run the load the washing machine, put laundry detergent in the washer, and set the settings before turning on the washer.

Bob also, loved cooking before his stroke. So, today he helped me make apple crisp. And, yes, we had to eat it with vanilla ice cream. I wanted DQ, but settled for Umpqua. (Umpqua is a local dairy business.)

I should have Bob sign-off on a document that says he has been trained in laundry and baking so he can't use "I don't know" as an excuse.

Bob had plenty exercise today. We went to Costco again. He walked through the entire store, which is a huge warehouse. Also, Bob has NOT used his walker for the past few days. He feels as though walking is getting easier.

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Jan's email

New game time...

I'M FINDING A NEW GAME! Bob has beaten me too many times at backgammon that I'm giving up. I have to concentrate too hard.

Now if I can only get him to remember what happened earlier in any given day....sigh...

We are still in the decision-making process with what to do with his business. Bob flip-flops back and forth about what to do. No matter what, we did settle on the decision that we are business partners. I'm his assistant.

I posted a saying on my Facebook page, "You never know what direction life will take you, so put the planner in the trash, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride." That is how my life has been. Remember, when I first started blogging, I asked about life lessons? If I tried to control how my life has taken turns around and around, I'd be a nutcase.

Bob's email
Jan's email

$784,856.15...

I AM SO EXCITED! We were driving to pick Zachary up from band camp today, and Bob said, "I remember this school. It's the school Zachary was going to when I moved here." OMG, OMG. A piece of his memory from the past four years has returned. Given a bit more time, I don't think you'd ever know anything happened to Bob.

Ha, you want to hear some figures that will knock your socks off. I got a letter from the insurance company telling me about Bob's insurance policy and the payout so far. He has a policy that pays 100% after the deductible and up to one million dollars; then, the catastrophic funds kick in. So far, they have paid $784,856.15 for medical bills. Bob said, "Holy shit, what did I do that made the insurance company have to pay so much?" Um..."It's called brain surgery, Bob." :-)

It was 99 degrees outside today. Needless to say, we stayed in the air conditioning all day. On the west coast, temperatures like that feel like you're putting you head in the oven. East coast, it's like putting your head in the dishwasher. I know, I've lived on both coasts.

More recovery...

We took another step closer to sealing the marriage deal. We bought the rings. My engagement ring is getting sized. When I get it, I'll post a picture. However, Bob can't recall on his own that we got them. He remembers when I give him clues. His memory has been that way for a long time, hasn't it?

We ran into Bob's speech therapist that he had in Rosehaven one year ago. She was the one who taught me so much about the swallowing and speech connection. She also gave me a thick binder full of activities to do with Bob to improve his memory when he move from Rosehaven to the VA. Anyway, she was ecstatic to see how far Bob has "woken" up. She said that she doesn't get to see too often a person who was in such a shell as Bob was emerge without much noticeable impairments. :-)

Bob killed me in backgammon today. I jokingly said, "Either you're getting your brains back or I'm getting dumber." He said, "He must be getting his brains back, because I'm just as smart as before."

Bob's email
Jan's email

Exceptional day...

I was going to post that today was another ho-hum day. But to rephrase that properly, today was an exceptional day. Bob is still alive and kicking. He had a few moments of memory lapse that he thought we were going to Fairmont, MN. But, other than that, we had normal conversations.

Bob doesn't remember anything about how we met or the years we've been together. It's sort of sad, because I think our past is interesting. Positive note: It'll come back.

Bob asked me if I wanted to go for a drive. In the past, we always went for drives - what I know them as is a"Sunday drive". This is the first since his stroke that he brought that idea up. Slowly, but surely, Bob's returning. I told him that he needs more practice. So, he asked me if I want to go for a practice drive. We didn't. Bob played his guitar and sang instead.

A humdrum day...

A new Costco opened today in Roseburg. Woo hoo! Of course, Bob and I had to go. There weren't the massive amount of people there like I thought there would be. It is more organized than other Costcos I've been to. (For those on the east coast, Costco is like Sams Club.)

Bob walked the whole store. He was sweating by the time we finished. I haven't seen him sweat since before his stroke. Since his stroke, he's been colder than me. And, I usually have a sweater on when it's 90 degrees outside.

Nothing special happened today. It was a day of mismatched errands and doing this and that. Sorry, I have nothing spectacular to report.

Bob's email
Jan's email

It's always good to learn...

I learned something new today. I learned that there is a difference between bales of hay and bales of straw. All you farmers from the Midwest probably think I'm such a dumb a$$.

Anyway, for those of you who don't know the difference, straw is not a food source, but hay is. The subject came up when I saw a bale of something at the edge of our yard. Our yard butts up against a farmers field. I asked Bob why a farmer would put a bale of straw close to our house. The cattle don't wander down the field that far. Bob told me that cows don't eat straw. I asked, "What do the eat?" He said, "Hay." "What's the difference between the two?" He proceeded to tell me that hay is a food source; straw is not. Straw is used to soak up pee and poop; hay is for feeding. "OH" "Magine that." Our rabbits ate straw. Then again, the rabbits ate our furniture too. :-/

Bob's email
Jan's email

Still more reasons Bob is alive...

We had an exciting day. One thing we did was talk to the preacher in Plover, Iowa. Geez, even though, we both have been married before, there isn't a simple way to keep the ceremony simple, is there? I almost said (I was thinking it), "Let's run off the Vegas to get married and be done with it." Then again, after hearing Bob talk to some of his clients and friends on the phone, I wouldn't deny them the pleasure of seeing Bob in an important ceremony.

We, then, went to the "Music in the Park" and saw some friends who were excited to see Bob. They gave him encouraging words of being thankful he is still alive and here with us. He tells them that he knows how lucky he is to be alive.

I told Bob that when he starts to tell stories of where we traveled to last week (S.D, MN, Chicago), I'm going to shake his head like you shake a TV when it's miss-firing. I said, "maybe I could knock to loose wires back to being connected."

Who's done watching the tryouts for America's Got Talent?

Bob's email
Jan's email

Don't underestimate....

Bob and I are delving into new territory. We are taking one of the first steps needed to decide about his trading business. It is exciting, but scary at the same time. I've been told that some of the nice people that I've come in contact with, can be "cut-throat" at the same time. It's frightening. I guess that happens in all businesses.


Bob had another good day with memory, walking, and game playing. He plays a "mean" game of backgammon. He tries to fool you though. In the beginning, he says, "Is this how you line the pieces up?" Then, he proceeds to strategically capture my pieces.



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Don't forget to visit the sites to the right>>>>

Day to relax...

Church day. I don't know about my t, but that routine of getting up, showering, getting breakfast, going to church, sitting through church, then going home to cook lunch tuckers me out. I waste away the rest of the day. Today, we watched pro golf championship. Can you believe Tiger Woods shot 18 over par? That's an extra shot at each hole! I guess there were too many girls in the crowd. He couldn't focus on the million dollars that awaited the winner. :-)

Bob's memory was ok today, except, when I tried to talk to him about commodity stuff during golf. He kept referring to open trade equity as the amount money each hole is worth in a golf tournament. Hence, I didn't learn anything about commodity stuff.

We worked on a puzzle today, how many words can you get out of the word September that are five letters or more. Bob thought of quite a few good ones like, pester. See, his brain is still there; it just the short-term memory that sucks.

Bob's email
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Good good day...

What makes today any different than other days? Yesterday was frustrating with my t not remembering things. Now, today he remembered most things? Some of his humor is returning too.

I have to remind myself, too, to not talk for him. I've been doing that for a year and a half. I have been his brain for so long, I feel like an "ole bitty" who answers everything a person asks of him, even if the person is looking directly at Bob.

We went to the driving range this evening. We still had a basket of balls to finish up. Zachary helped today. Zachary was working on his placement of the ball by trying to hit a bird that was sitting on the ground. The bird must have had many golfers try the same thing, because it dodged the rolling balls quite well. :-)

Fellow brokers are helping us to solve the problem we are having with finding a new company to take on Bob's business. Once again, the friendships Bob has never ceases to amaze me.

Bob's email
Jan's email

Another interesting day...

I had another interesting morning. No, I didn't set any alarms off or blow things up. I got a phone call from an attorney to testify at a hearing for a person I tested for Voc Rehab three years ago. The testing I do is to help determine what types of training or careers the client will be successful doing. I do cognitive testing, so, if a person says they want to be a rocket scientist, but they measure an IQ score of 70; then 9.99999999 chances it ain't going to happen.

Anyway, this attorney called me and wanted me at the court house in 45 minutes. Now, mind you, I tested the client 3 years ago, which means, I hadn't look at his report for three years, and I'm in a wheelchair, and when I try to move fast, my body automatically goes slower. Zachary to the rescue!

When I got to the court room, I was given a few minutes to review the client's report. Parts of his reading sucked and parts didn't. The opposing attorney was trying to get me to say that the client was able to understand what he was able to read. What the attorney doesn't understand is there is a lot more to reading than being able to pronounce words. The client was able to sound out words but comprehension was way way low. I told the attorney that I could probably sound out and say words in another language, but would have no clue what it meant. (I don't think that's what he wanted to hear.)

Also, the opposing attorney tried to get me to say that emails that he showed me were written by the client. I said that even though the email came from the client's email address, I didn't know if he wrote it or not. It could have been typed by someone else. Again, not what the attorney wanted me to say.

All in all, I think I did ok. Zachary went with me. He said that would have been tough, because the questions were on-the-spot, and I had to come up with quick answers. No room for fibbing.

When it comes to memory, Bob is getting so angry and frustrated with his. However, he did remember to write some things down today on his "to do" list all on his own.

Bob's email
Jan's email

I have to stop thinking negatively...

Damn-it. I'm starting to think negatively like the other "doubting Thomas's" around me. Many times today I sighed when Bob said we were in Sioux Falls and argued with me. I know, it's just one day. I'm confident, a year from now, I'll look back at this blog and say, "Imagine that." He was tired. He's even going to let me standing at the alter. :( He told my son that we were getting married here in Roseburg until I said, "Plover". Then, he said, "Oh, that's right."

I looked at pictures of my t that I took a year ago. He had such a look on his face that he had an empty head. Wow, "Imagine that."

Bob is still complaining that his foot is painful. That makes it difficult for him to walk. I guess it's appointment time.

Decision #2...

A few weeks ago I mentioned to keep us in your prayers, because we are faced with times of making life decisions. Decision #1 was to set a date to get married, which we did. That was a good thing. Today, we face decision #2. Bob is ready to return to trading. (We've been getting up at 5:30am every weekday in order for the markets to open at 7am. We've set up mock scenarios for trading, and we've studied the CBOT self-study guide (which Bob receives 100% on most quizzes).) However, the company that Bob does his trading with is not ready for him to return. The decision we need to make is, what to do.

You know, as I type this, the situation reminds me of all the negativity that I've encountered alone this year-long journey. It reminds me of that staff meeting that I went to at the VA where I was livid that everyone claimed that Bob couldn't do anything cognitively. grrr...

One thing Bob said this afternoon is,"Thank goodness I forget things, because I have been doing work with ADMIS for thirty years, and they're telling me to "f***" off. I'm glad I don't remember the phone conversation, because I don't want to be continuously angry." I wish I had that ability. :-)

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remember to visit the sites to the right>>>

Yesterday, OJ, today, smoke alarms...

Oh my heavens, today started like yesterday! Yesterday, the can of OJ concentrate exploded, and this morning, I set the smoke detectors off while cooking breakfast. HA! I tried to open the kitchen window to let some of the smoke out, but it wouldn't open. It seems that Bob and I didn't clean all of the OJ off the window. It became very sticky in the crease of the window. The window became "glued" shut. Nothing like getting the adrenalin flowing?

Pluver, Iowa does have a church, and it so happens to be a Methodist church, which is what Bob is a member. I'm Catholic, but I don't care about the rules. All my concerns are to be wedded to my t in a church's eyes under God.

Mark your calenders for May 14, 2011 in Pluver, Iowa. I don't think you need directions. Pluver's population is 95 people. I'm sure if you drive to the town, then look left and right as you drive down the main street, you'll see the church. I did say I wanted a country church. I don't think you can get more country than that.

Please visit the sites to the right>>>

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Fermented OJ...

Did you ever have a can of orange juice concentrate explode? I did, this morning. The expiration date on the can was Jan. 2012. My mind was set that the juice concentrate was ok. As I pulled the ring off, the lid popped loudly and OJ flew all over the kitchen. I found it 20 feet away from where I opened it.

I set the can in the sink; it continued to bubble over the sides of the can. The OJ was quite fermented. I have never seen that happen before, have you?

Bob and I decided on Pluver, Iowa as a place to get married. Seeing that the population is 95, I need to do some research to see if there is a church there.

Bob's memory is getting longer; however, he still doesn't know the layout of our house.

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