It has been ten years since my stroke on April 4, 2014. I tried to make a video post by myself, but it did not turn out well. I deleted seven videos before giving up.

Over this time, I have often found myself saying “I am ready for any challenge if it is foolish enough to face me.” This saying was on the wall in the gym I go to. I have succeeded in many of those challenges, but not all. But even when I failed, I usually found myself taking a different path and finding another form of success. It took me years to figure out that “taking on” challenges, win or lose, have been universally positive.

I have recently decided to celebrate the stroke anniversary and my journey by hiking and climbing Medicine Bow Peak this summer.

Thanks to my cardiologists, my heart has gotten much stronger, and I am doing very well physically. However, the battery in my device (pacemaker/defibrillator) needs to be replaced next year.  I thought that process would consist of simply replacing the battery.  I recently found out that they will replace the whole device due to the advances that have been made over these 10 years.  That process should still be relatively simple, I hope.

The biggest issues I still have to deal with are with my Aphasia, so I am reading some of the new research on the Brain and Aphasia that are out there, and have made an appointment with the neurologist group I worked with many years ago to see if they know of any new treatments or strategies to combat the issues and problems I still have with that aggravating condition.  

Today is June 5. Ten years ago, I came back home.  I still remember all the joy and excitement I had.

I hope you all are doing well. You all mean so much to me and I care about you.  Thank you all.