Today is our “Strokeversary” – it has been one year since the horrible events of Aimee’s stroke on July 7, 2020.  As some people might say, “it is a made up word.”   Well, they all are, and it is something that now has significant meaning for us.  It is a day where we can’t help but reflect on what Aimee has experienced, where we are and what lies ahead.  Some doctors initially said the most progress would occur in the first year – with other specialists later saying 18 months for physical recovery and 24 months for mental/cognitive recovery.  Regardless, she/we are not where we would want her to be.  I remain amazed at Aimee’s resilience.  That doesn’t mean she is constantly happy or positive.  There are ups and downs . . . and lots of exhaustion.  I try to constantly remind her that things will only get better and we focus on what we can do and how much of life there is to enjoy. 

It is probably best to include Aimee’s “status update” that she posted earlier today on a stroke recovery page (and her facebook page):

“A year ago ,I had a massive stroke that left me paralyzed on my left side. My life went completely off kilter and a part of me died ( literally and figuratively). I used to say that I “suffered”, instead of I “survived”a stroke. As I reflect on this past year, i feel very fortunate to have survived the stroke and to be alive today(thanks to Scott Silverman’squick thinking in calling 911 as soon as he realizedthere was something wrong). Thankfully,my speech wasunaffectedand I look about the same,because of this,some people have commented that I must be fully recovered , but that is so far from the truth. I never feel completely“normal”or ever get a reprieve from my disabilities,but I am happy I didn’t miss myson’s prom andhigh school graduation this year. It’s hard to keep a positive attitude sometimes as my kids have seen me break down more than once, butIhope I try to bea role model for perseverance And resiliencefor them. we have come together as a family to work as a team in my recovery. Scott saved my life and has been the most incredible partner in my recovery.I’ve made a lot of progress since last summer;Thanks to my doctors, nurses andPTs, i am now able to stand up and walk short distanceswith a cane. I’m sleeping better, with less leg pain. Unfortunately ,there has been little to no improvement in my left arm and hand. Cognitively,i don’t function at anywhere nearthe same level as I used to, butI’ve learned to recognize when I need to take a break and the types of circumstances I need to avoid so I don’t feel completely worn down andmiserable. I still have a very long recovery ahead and it makes me sad to think about the years of workI’ll put in , but I’ll probably still never have a normal gait to my walk or be able to type with my left hand again., my family and friends have been a huge source of joy and supportfor me.I hove a lot of amazing people in my life. 2020 really sucked and ithasbeen a hard and frustrating year for me, but Looking ahead, I’m excited for Jason to start school this Fall, for Sydney to finish college,And for scottand I to do some traveling as empty-nesters.”

I chose not to edit the post.  This was not meant to embarrass her, more to leave it untainted because I do too much talking and speaking for her already.

Now for the stuff that I put towards the end so it wouldn’t scare away any readers. During the past two years it would be hard if we didn’t learn something about each other and ourselves. I believe in Ying and Yang. If a bunch of bad things happen, something good has to be around the corner.  It’s not so simple as something good will fall in your lap, rather, a good opportunity will be presented.  You don’t get anything for free I also don’t believe that it is some sort of divine intervention when bad things happen to like you’ve suffered enough and you deserve better.  It is simply the law of averages.  Thus the expression I often use when people ask how are things going “We are plugging away.”  Just need to keep plugging away until something breaks or an opportunity arises. So that is what we will continue to do.

Thank you to all of our family and friends.  You have all been amazing and your support has been incredible.