Stroke . . .: The Unexpected Journey

By Barbara Johnson

This is the story of how I had a stroke and the different things I did to go from being a stroke victim to a stroke survivor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524646998

Barbara Johnson

Barbara Johnson was the founder of Spatula Ministries, a coauthor of various Women of Faith devotionals, and the author of numerous bestselling books, including Boomerang Joy, Living Somewhere between Estrogen and Death, and Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy.

Book preview

STROKE…

THE UNEXPECTED

JOURNEY

BARBARA JOHNSON

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AuthorHouse™

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Phone: [phone]

© 2016 Barbara Johnson. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/21/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-4695-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-4699-8 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1 How it all began

Chapter 2 The Effects of The Stroke

Chapter 3 Rehab Hospital

Chapter 4 Home

This book is

dedicated to my husband, Bill who walked every step of the way with me, and pushed and pulled and encouraged me even when I wanted to give up.

On November 14, 2008 the day before my 50th wedding anniversary, I embarked on an unexpected journey. I didn’t plan for this journey, I didn’t make reservations, I didn’t pack a bag, I didn’t even take my passport. I didn’t tell anybody I was going. I didn’t know where I was going myself and I did not know if I would ever return, but off I went.

Grieve not for me, who am about to start a new adventure. Eager I stand, and ready to depart, me and my reckless pioneering heart! I don’t know who wrote this. I found it years ago and tucked it in my daily planner. It seemed to fit the situation.

CHAPTER 1

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The week started off like almost any other week. On Tuesday I went to Taco Tuesday with our friends we like to go to this certain place because they fill the wine glasses so full you can hardly keep them from spilling before you get it to your lips, but it’s good. Came home that night and watched TV and then had a little problem getting up off the couch and I thought whoops Barbara, too much wine. I didn’t think anymore about it and went to bed. The next morning everything was just fine, I didn’t even think about it again. The next day my left hand felt a little weak but I have arthritis in my right hand plus I had the start of carpal tunnel in my right hand and so I thought, well, it’s spreading to my left hand then I didn’t think too much of it again. Thursday morning I woke up and went to my hairdresser at six in the morning as I always did once a month and everything was just fine, although I was planning on driving down to see my son afterwards and then when I got to the car I decided I didn’t feel just right so I decided to go home but that night everything was fine again. Friday morning everything was fine, so I took the dog to the groomers but when I got home as I came home and went up the steps to the front door I felt my left leg drag a little bit. My husband had gone to a seminar that day and wasn’t due home until noon so I sat down to read a book. It was sort of a sad book but it wasn’t really that sad but I started to sob and sob. That’s when I knew something was really, really wrong and things started