Sea Water Therapy

courtesy David Roberts Photo

Many of us have read about the positive results that come from water therapy, how it soothes sore joints and increases flexibility especially for those of us who have lingering issues post stroke. When I was in Grenada two weeks ago (ugh can't believe it's been that long ago. I want to go back!!) I was very much looking forward to getting to the sea, immersing myself in that beautiful blue water and letting the salt lift me up on my back. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had separate plans for me!

There was a tremor in Trinidad the morning I landed which caused fairly big tidal waves in Grenada. We were technically on tsunami watch for the whole week so my plan of being in the water was hampered by my bad timing. That wave you see in the pic was one of the ittty bitties compared to what I saw earlier that day. I tried going in, thinking I could take it. What are a few waves? Well, after almost getting my bikini torn clean off my body, I figured it best that I stay on shore. Rocks even shot out of the water and into my foot causing a bleeder! Geez Grand Anse, all I wanted to do was love you!! Haha

On the day I left, and we all know that this is what usually happens on vacation, the water calmed down. Waves were down to a whisper and I was able to finally bathe in the sea properly. My Dad decided to come in with me, an extra special treat, and we both floated on our backs looking up at the cobalt blue sky ignoring the pain we have in our arms feeling weightless and relaxed.  It was the perfect end to my trip. Next time you're near a beach, go into the water and allow yourself to let go. See what it does for your joints and muscles.

Spring better come soon NYC!

Daddy's Girl

I am a Daddy's girl in every sense of the word. I'm his only daughter. I am the apple of his eye and he is mine. We have lots in common. We look alike, have some of the same tendencies, and we've both had strokes.

My mind is still in vacation mode because I just got back from a trip to Grenada. He lives there and I LOVE going to visit him because it's Daddy daughter time. This was the first trip I took to Grenada by myself post stroke where we really had one on one time together. Before I left, I tried to plan everything out in my mind of what we would do if he took enough time off work from trips to the country down to what I wanted him to cook for dinners at home (the man could be on Iron Chef). Throughout the trip, I was very tickled by everything he did because I saw myself in him, especially with things pertaining to memory. He would always say things like "Remind me of this..." when I'm not likely to remember and I would say the same to him. This might make someone sad but it did just the opposite for me. This was an AWESOME bonding experience. Here is someone who I didn't have to tell to not turn the knobs tight because I wouldn't be able to open them or that I couldn't speak much at times because I was too tired to sound proper. It was unspoken and understood and just wonderful. Thanks stroke for bringing me closer to my father.

I continuously find small little things to thank the stroke for and this is one of them. Is that kind of messed up? Shouldn't that not be the case?! It has to make me laugh, you know? Right now, I wish I could sound more coherent about this experience but the only way I can express how much of a profound effect this trip had on me is to just tell you to look at the picture above. My face says it all.

I love my Dad. :)

Flying After Stroke

With summer already in full swing, I have started to make some travel plans that require me to fly. While this is exciting in itself, I wondered if this would be safe to me. As it is, I will most likely find myself on a plane every 2 to 3 weeks until the beginning of August. Stroke victims have to be extra careful when they fly because of the risk of blood clots. This is called "economy class stroke syndrome". Mm, if I fly in first class, does this mean I'm safe? (rimshot-bad joke lol)

Folks should move around on long flights to make sure they don't contract this syndrome. The last thing you want on the way to some tropical place is to have a pesky clot go up your leg and to your hippocampus. If your calves or any other extremities are swollen after you fly, seek medical attention immediately! Risks for this can be reduced by drinking a ton of water, stretching rotating your ankles and taking a stroll up and down the aisle. You'll probably have to walk to the bathroom a ton of times after drinking all the water! Sure peeps will think you're crazy but I'd rather folks think that than have something happen to me!

Vacation Stroke Joke

Don't come to the drinks truck if you don't want an alcoholic drink...

Only being able to have 3 or 4 drinks on Carnival Monday was a challenge! I had to space everything out which caused me to run into some problems on the road!

ELJON: Hi, can I have a pineapple juice and soda?
TRUCKTENDER: And?
ELJON: And ice?
TRUCKTENDER: And?
ELJON: Uh, a million dollars?

Trucktender shakes head.

Vacation Stroke Joke

Couldn't have been happier seeing so many feathers.

Sweaty drunk bald man comes to dance with me.  I politely wine on him for a minute.  I am now new to the game since I haven't danced in months and have had to re-teach myself how to pelt waist.

SDBM: You only know one move or what?

ELJON: (turns around) I just learned this move! (tosses drink in his face and skips away)

Dude, you better pray I don't find a pic of you on FB because I'll put it on here haha.

The Second Night

The stroke didn't harm your face so I can squish it.

I have to admit, I was tired going to this second party.  After having to rest for a minute, I was a little concerned about having to sit down and rest for longer.  Luckily I didn't have to. I slept A LOT earlier in the day.  Many folks at this party were drinking Red Bull mixed with alcohol.  A friend of mine informed me before I left that Red Bull and liquor causes strokes so be warned. I guess it makes your heart rate speed up.  I forgot this on Carnival Monday and definitely had a little drink with this mixed in.  I was subsequently scolded by someone and made to dump it out in front of him.  But yes, really, no one mix the Bull with the liquor, bad bad bad.

I saw plenty people dutty wining and doing some serious dance moves with their heads at this party.  I cringed each and every time I saw this because as I said before, this is a cause of strokes.  You might think you're looking level sexy for homie who's watching in the corner but trust and believe you don't want to end up in the hospital having to shoot some Lovenox in your stomach.

The First Night

Glowing lights make fingers dance magically in the moonlight.

I touched down in Trinidad at about 5:00pm and got to my cousin's house with enough time to take a quick nap, settle and say some quick prayers to see if I could really pull off going to a party from 12:00am-6:00am.  I had a quiet moment while getting ready. I kind of felt like a boxer in the locker room getting amped up before a big fight.  You can do this, you got this!

Things were going great until about 3:00am when I started to get slightly weak.  I sat down in the corner by a bar tent and stayed there for half an hour.  I wasn't upset, I mean ok, maybe a little frustrated that I was a bit tired but everything for a reason, right? Because I had to sit down, I was able to take things in, the crowd, the music, everything for a short time without anyone else and that was beautiful. 

The crowd started to jump up and down when a performer came on the stage and caused a frenzy so I stepped to the side literally protecting my neck laughing at how ridiculous I must have looked. But again, small victories, I was able to stay up until the wee wee hours of the morning for my first Carnival party.

Yay, me.

I'm Back!

I'm back, I survived, I'm not hurt, I did it!

Trinidad Carnival was great and as you can see from the pic, I was all smiles :) the entire time. I did have some challenges when I first arrived ie having to say no to some after parties so I could rest but I'm glad I was cautious!

I tried to sleep through J'ouvert. For those of you who don't know what that is, well, to keep it short, it starts at about 4:00am and continues to like 9:00am. You get blasted with paint, oil, chocolate (yeah I know) and come home, shower and then go to the parade route for rehearsal wining.  I passed out at around 10:30pm and was woken up by the entire apartment shaking from the bass coming from the music truck.  It seems that the J'ouvert route passes right by my cousin's house.  I couldn't help but laugh.  Here I was trying to rest and be a good girl and I had to stay up anyway because of the noise.  I dosed off after a little but was again woken up by a drunk man singing quite badly outside the door or window.  I ran up and down the stairs making sure all doors and windows were locked. That is the NY in me. So when my cousins got back from playing J'ouvert and saw me looking quite exhausted, they were pretty confused!

The parties were great.  I did have some slight hesitation with some people and recognizing them. If you're reading, as I told you before, I'm still a little slow with it.  I remember you, my brain was just making local stops!  I couldn't drink like crazy since I'm taking the baby aspirin...don't want to get stomach ulcers, and the great thing was that I now remember everything...EVERYTHING. That's a blessing :) So many people came up to me and asked how I was.  I got lots of hugs and well wishes and for that and for all of you, seriously, thank you :) I felt very loved.

On the last night of my stay, while in the back of a truck riding home, my cousin told me that now that everything was over, he could tell me that he was scared sh*tless that I was coming to Trinidad.  He didn't let it be known until then becasue he knew it would freak me out. I think he was quite relieved that I was leaving the next day so I wouldn't be in danger of whatever. 

I'd be lying if I wasn't the slightest bit scared. I was. Dancing and standing up for 5-8 hours a night can be a strain on anyone and for someone who is recovering...well, it's a bit risky, but I made it.  I feel stronger for it :)

Now, I am sitting here at my cubicle, peeling and falling asleep thinking about my trip and happy that  I took the plunge and went.  My entire body aches but it was worth it, the caution, the anxiety, the fun, the whole thing.  I'm back!