I’m writing this from the cozy 4-season porch 😀! Kate and Mitch are nearby doing homework, while Tom cleans the grill. It feels amazing and right to be home again, following a full month in the hospital. In some ways it seems impossible that I was hospitalized for a full month (time flies when you are having fun😜! But other times it seems like ages since life was “normal”. The good news is that I’ll likely make a full recovery within 6-12 months. Time for me to keep working hard AND be patient as I regain brain connections. I returned home Monday afternoon and am grateful for my home, neighbors, and incredible support system. I marvel at how kind people are, and I appreciate each card, prayer and CB Post! Thank you! It’s a large part of why I’m making a rapid recovery. My family and I applaud the care I received at North Memorial Robbonsdale. From the surgery to remove the blood clot when I arrived September 3, to the attentive and skilled staff in the ICU, and finally to the 7th floor rehabilitation area that helped me gain many new skills and a greater awareness of my strengths and deficits  through twice daily PT, OT and speech therapy. Each therapist that I had the opportunity to work with was clearly trained to help with stroke recovery. We became fast friends and it was a bit emotional graduating and leaving these professionals I’d grow n to trust. My neurologist, Dr. Horowitz, was hands on and viewed many therapy sessions to monitor my progress. He will continue to follow me through office visits. I was placed in very competent hands throughout my sta. Upon my return home , I will need someone with me 24\7. Thanky. you to Tom, who has graciously put so many things on hold to care for me and the countless people who have offered to visit with me when he can’t be here. The reason for my stroke remains a mystery. IFor  years I’ve eaten healthy foods and made exercise part of my daily routine. I did not have high blood pressure or cholesterol, never smoked andwas not overweight. Moving forward I plan to get back to those healthy habits.  it will take time before I,m walking 5 miles in an hour.again  I think yesterday I walked .25 mile in in 151minutes with Tomsupporting  me with my gait belt😅. That’s still tremendous progress when 3 weeks ago I couldn’t walk 3 feet independently. 
todayI began my outpatient therapyat Aarbor  Lakes in Maple Grove. Kristi arrived at my house befor 7 am to help me get ready for my sessions. The PT, OT and speech therapies affirmed that my progress will continue just in a different location. I’m thankful and encouraged by that! It’s a huge blessing  that my language and cognition remains in tact I’m enjoying logic puzzles .and I’m often told I hmy memory is great 😂
Tonight lifelife felt a bit morlike “before stroke” life... Kate and I were able to meet for pedicures and manicures. What a treat!

each day is a blessing and clearly I’m abundantly blessed! I took this from my Jesus CALLING and want to share. “Instead of yearning for a problem-free life rejoice that trouble can  highlight the Lord,s presence in the darkness of. Adversity, Accept the value of problems in this life and rememb we have you have an eternity of trouble-freeliving awaitingusu in heaven. “ 

I’ll babe honest and admit that the recovery process is hard work and am eager to return to independence and living life without many  cares I trust it willhappen!.m a determined patient and will work hard and rest often.

thaank for the love you have shared with my family and me❤️
With  gratitude, Sue