Playing "The Rose" by Bette Midler
I would like to start off by saying that I am feeling
great at the present time (Dec. 12, 2000). My stroke on Nov. 17, 1997 left me
still with internal damage. But to look at me today you could not tell that I
had a stroke. But what people don’t see and understand is the internal
permanent damage. I still cannot feel hot or cold sensations on my right side
from chest high down to my toes. My right side still burns 24 hours a day from
the top of my head down to my toes, it is like my blood is on fire. Which is
known as a Thalamic Syndrome. When I had my stroke I was half blind in my right
eye and now it is just a spot that is out of my periphery vision. I still have
not gained back my full potential of my energy. When ever I try to excerpt
energy my right side burns more intensely. I cannot make fast moves anymore
cause it causes me to get really dizzy. But with all that in mind I have learned
to tolerate it. Cause I am very thankful I was able to work my way out of a
wheelchair.
The doctors diagnosed my stroke to be caused by stress. Well I put up
with that stress for one year and 4 months more and it was all that I could
handle anymore. The doctors say if I would have had another stroke I would be
permanently damaged and back in a wheelchair or even dead. I did not like those
odds so on March 9. 1999 I packed up my cloths, a few personal items, and my
computer system and left a home I had for 15 years and a 12-year marriage. I
will not go into details on the issues but I can say I am a lot happier and
relaxed now than I have been in many years. I have my family and friends back
around me again and I have gained many more wonderful friends in the last 18
months. To me, that is worth more to me than anything. It is priceless!!
When I moved out of my home I moved to my sisters place (which happens to
be my parents old place). I have lived there for the last 18 months. Many events
have occurred in the last 18 months. After several court appearances and a whole
lot of waiting time my divorce and property have finally got settled. It ended
in the first part of November 2000. My ex mother-in-law bought my interest in
the house and property. I am so glad that part of a past life is over. It was
like a 500 lb weight being lifted off my shoulders. I paid off all my debts and
now I do not owe anybody.
My lovely stepdaughter Charlene got married on Jan. 27, 2000 to her husband
Joshua. They are presently living in Nevada. My son Tim got married July 15,
2000 to his lovely wife Jamie. They are presently living in New York where my
son is stationed in the U.S. Army. It was a great and proud feeling for me cause
I was able to attend both of there weddings.
Living at my sisters served its purpose but it was time to move on. On
November 18, 2000 I moved to Roseville, California to a spacious two-bedroom
apartment. The reason for the move to Roseville was to be closer to the computer
industry field. I want to find a job where I can use my last 2 years of
Vocational Rehabilitation Training of going to school at Sierra College and
learning configurations and repairs on computers.
To conclude this I want to say I feel I am where I want to be at the
present time. I feel so happy inside right now to have my own place and my
independence and solitude back again. I have been dreaming of this for several
years and now it finally came true. I am looking forward to the new year of 2001
cause it will be the continuance of a new beginning for me. I am looking forward
to it and all the new challenges that may be presented to me. As any challenge I
have encountered in my life I have hit it head on and just dealt with it. I
would like to add that it was with the help of my wonderful family and friends that helped me
to overcome these challenges. I thank them dearly!!!!!
Richard
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