Airstream Life, after a stroke

[BayouBiker]

My wife had a severe stroke three years ago. Similar to what you describe. She worked very hard in rehabilitation and most would not notice her impairment casually these days. She finds it frustrating, and though I shouldn't, I often get impatient with her because she is unable to do many of the things one would like a camping companion to do or help with. Riding a bike is a challenge and the other day she had a bad fall. Hiking is a bit slow and we have to choose the hikes carefully. Things get spilled, broken and forgotten quite a bit. Though I sound like I'm complaining, we are blessed and grateful she has recovered so well and camping has been great therapy. It challenges her to continue to improve and encourages her to try things two years ago we thought impossible. You can see the joy she gets from being able to do these things and go places. We are truly blessed and it is my hope others in this situation experience the same.

[GCinSC2]

Brian

I raise a glass to Mrs Bayoubiker. Happy trails to you.

Turk, keep on getting better.

Gary

[Landshark]

Turk, I'm so sorry to hear of your illness, but I think you are doing things correctly (FWIW!): keep up with the music, not only will it help your hand coordination, but music is supposed to do great things in brain capacity, and it will raise your spirits, too.

Also I think you are right to keep up with Airstreaming. I am recovering from an unwanted divorce after a good 50-yr marriage and losing all my Airstreams in the divorce. I think the loss of Airstreaming and the companionship of AirForum and rally friends was worse than losing the previously greatly-loved husband!

Now I am back into Airstreaming with a '67 Caravel and feel the affection and good will of everyone who posts on this forum. Stay with those two great loves: music and Airstreams, and do what your medical advisers tell you, and I bet you will come out of this just fine!

Never give up!

Vivian

[GMFL]

Wow, hate to hear about the stroke. Glad you are doing better. Hang in there. Hope to see you guys at some point.

[HRTKD]

Turk, glad to hear you're bouncing back!

I had a mini-stroke almost four years ago. The long term effect was that my typing skills went downhill. I have to proofread my posts two and three times. That didn't stop me from writing a book last year and I found great joy in that. I was at speech therapy today, but it's not related to the mini-stroke.

At least you have a wife to partner with you on camping. That makes many things possible. Given that you already have experience owning an RV, I think you'll be OK.

Adding this for humor and to show you that your situation isn't that bad:
My father had a stroke last year that initially kept him from being able to walk. With therapy he's getting around better but still falls. I think his cognitive skills went downhill and didn't quite recover. He bought an old GMC motorhome (from the 70's!) and plans to live in it. This is a guy that has never owned an RV and didn't listen when I tried to explain how much upkeep there is unless he had gobs of money - which he doesn't. His 3/4 ton truck looks like it was used in the demolition derby (3rd place). Once he starts driving around in the motorhome, I'm sure it will look just as bad.

[skyguyscott]

Hope you are feeling better today and even better tomorrow!

Getting old isn't always easy, but it beats the alternative, with respect to Mark Twain's difference of opinion regarding that matter. So glad you are still on this side of the grass, and hope you stay here for a good while longer enjoying it.