Slightly OT: for anyone who noticed I've been absent, I had a stroke.

[malthaussen]

18 days in the hospital and therapy. A small bomb went off in my head and blew out my right-side coordination and balance. Typing is a bit of a chore since it is mostly left-handed. Since I can tend to my basic needs and get around with a walker, they sent me home today. Naturally I wanted my pals in HoF to know why I haven't been around.

I also have a newly-diagnosed case of diabetes (which seems to have caused the stroke), and I seriously think that's more of a pain than the stroke. Diabetes is expensive, man.

-- Mal

[hlthe2b]

1. You've been missed!

I hope you are fully on the recovery end. That had to be frightening.

[katmondoo]

9. Get well soon

I know how you feel.

[Frustratedlady]

2. May you have a speedy and uneventful recovery.

My sister in law had a massive stroke a year+ ago and it is amazing how much good her therapy has done for her. They can do amazing things these days. Good luck!

[gwheezie]

3. Hoping for continued recovery

Diabetes is a bitch but you can manage it.

[gollygee]

4. Oh my

Hugs!

[jeff47]

5. Welcome back!

And may your recovery be fast and not much of a pain in the ass.

[MissDeeds]

6. Strokes can be nasty

I'm the only one in my immediate family who hasn't had one (yet?). Take care and know that your DU family is here when you need us.

Hugs and best wishes for a swift and complete recovery.

[KitSileya]

7. Good to hear from you.

Good luck with your recovery.

[CrispyQ]

8. I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles!

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

10. Best wishes,

glad your still with us.

[lovemydog]

11. Best wishes to you malthaussen.

Take care of yourself and continue relaxing and enjoying reading and posting here.

[blackcrowflies]

12. take care

Does Obamacare help with the diabetes expenses?

[malthaussen]

23. Haven't a clue, actually

Probably not, since medical insurance rarely covers meds. Worth checking out, though.

-- Mal

[irisblue]

13. wishing you the best

you were missed

[Duval]

14. Thanks for letting

us know, malthaussen. Despite the bad/good news, you are taking control. That takes courage and you'll find a way to deal with all of this. Best of luck to you

[Marie Marie]

15. So sorry to hear this news from you.

Listen to your physical therapists and get well soon. We want you typing your posts with both hands because you were missed!

[Enthusiast]

16. Wow! Healing vibes headed your way.

Did you have a problem with hypertension, malthaussen?

I ask because my family has a history of stroke.

[malthaussen]

24. Yep. that was one of the indicators.

Thanks for reminding me, I should discuss that with the doctor when I see her.

-- Mal

[calimary]

17. Hey malthaussen! Glad you're back!

How nice that one of the things you want to do is check back in with us! How cool is that?

Perhaps as you return to activity little by little, your other powers will pep back up! Little by little, though. Don't push it too hard. Be gentle. Bit by little bit. Just stack the LEGOs.

Glad you're back. Thank you for checking in! Keep on getting better! And it's a good thing you found out about the diabetes. Better to know. Then there are things you can do about it.

[kentuck]

18. Hope you are feeling better soon...

So sorry to hear of your difficult time.

kentuck

[Moostache]

19. Best wishes for your recovery.

I wish you well.

[Sheldon Cooper]

20. Oh no! I'm so glad you're feeling better.

Keep getting better and join us when you can.

[sakabatou]

21. I hope you're doing ok

With my own brain injury, I do think it's a pain as well.

[chervilant]

22. Actually, I was wondering where you went.

I'm glad to hear you are on the mend, and hope you continue your recovery. There's a great TED talk by a neuroscientist about the stroke she experienced and survived. Her name is Jill Bolte Taylor, and I encourage you to watch the video.

[malthaussen]

25. I tend to agree with her.

The experience she describes is similar to a good acid trip (or so I understand; I've never actually dropped acid). Certain Eastern philosophies also claim to promote the concept of the interconnectedness of all beings. It is certainly possible to feel the edges of it without external stimuli, as I have experienced a time or two in the past. It's a shame it took such a massive stroke for her to experience it. Mine is bush league by comparison.


-- Mal

[shenmue]

26. Hugs

Feel better!

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[ismnotwasm]

27. Wow

and damn. I'm glad you're able to post. Strokes are terrible, and recovery depends on the severity, but you might completely recover with no deficit.

Diabetes is a word tossed around so much that I sometimes think people don't fully understand how rough on the body it is.

Since I'm a transplant/renal nurse, I know a bit more at this point of my life about diabetes, but I used to work LTC, and worked with a lot of stroke patients in rehab.

I wish you health and healing and I'm very glad to hear from you

[Tuesday Afternoon]

33. me too. what you said.

[LiberalLoner]

28. Wishing you a full recovery from the stroke

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I'm sorry you have diabetes, too. I hope for the best health possible, for you.

[boston bean]

29. Oh Mal, I am so sorry that happened!

I'm glad you let us know and that it seems you are on a road of recovery.

Please take care!

[Phentex]

30. Speedy recovery!

Very scary stuff! I am happy you are back and able to post.

[malthaussen]

31. Thanks to all for your good thoughts.

If I haven't responded to each of you, it's because typing is tedious, not because I am not grateful!

-- Mal

[etherealtruth]

32. Wishes for a complete recovery and better health!

[seabeyond]

34. no reply necessary. bummer to the lifelong diabetes. good it was just a minor stroke,

you were able to get help and on the way to healing. a struggle i am sure. what an experience. one we all hope not to have.

YOU... have a wonderful thanksgiving, a lot to be thankful for.

take care of you. we will be seeing you as you see if.

the posts you type, articulate and wordy in exploration. the frustration you must have, not an ease in typing. i hate to peck type. i would rather not reply when on cell phone cause just too much work, rather than using a lap top keyboard to post anything more than a sentence reply.

take care of you...

[TexasTowelie]

35. Welcome back and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

I'm diabetic so I know what you are going through. You might want to subscribe to the Diabetes Support Group on DU.

[mercuryblues]

36. wishing you a great recovery

My brother had a stroke over the summer. Last week he bought a pair of Clark shoes. He is in heaven. He said it feels like they are messaging his foot where he still has a bit of numbness.