I'm speaking to you now as that fond person in your life, you know me a Salty Dog...
We all endure the highs and lows of life, however, if you figure out the positives you can gain from the lessons it has to teach.
I look at it both ways, as teacher and pupil...I don't think we ever stop learning from others.
When diving, I was taught to always keep your eye on the ball...meaning, never, ever go to deep. I look at you Janet as a person with so much artistic talent I imagine alot of creativity has been born from your darkest times. Now me on the other hand, stick figures are my forte!
We all encounter setbacks and gains after a stroke, there are so many people on Healthboards, some looking for answers and some with answers to share, I feel priviliged to be part of this community.
You may have noticed my typing has improved, well I cannot tell a lie, my wife is typing for me, mainly because I have keyboard burns on my nose..LOL!
Now hear this...a positive attitude, great music and friends will help us make it through.
First of all, I feel honored to be in the company of such strong survivors.
Now comes the news flash of the day...my wife is from Braintree and remembers those freezing cold days very well!
I hope you really don't believe those stories about sunny San Diego, its been raining for 2 days, and possibly for 3 more. It did get chilly last night, down to 58...LOL
I think your family is special and understands that although your stroke is a serious matter, laughter and good natured humor really are the best medicine.
Until my service career ended in 1984, I had always been a picture of health. A few years later I started a laundry list of illnesses; colon cancer, heart disease, diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, all as a result of the agent orange I was exposed to in Vietman.
I just want you to feel that if your back is to the wall facing the firing squad, there is always hope...they may not have bullets. So Sue, just keep on keeping on with a strong constitution, family and friends, enthusiasm and your Healthboard friends.
Keep those updates coming, we all need each other.
Hi Allen,
So your wife is a Bostonian! And Braintree being south does get it's share of nasty weather. I'm from Newton originally, just moved to Worcester right before my stroke. Well, I always heard about those Worcester Hills and how much different it is. They were right. We live in the western hills and it seems like Vermont! We moved here because our daughters live out this way.
No complaints though. I'm a New Englander at heart.
Now I'm really "confused"...was quite tired when I read your latest posting of thoughts and words of encouragement, and after the stressful day we had yesterday (more on that later) I wanted to re-read what you had written. You have such a way with words, so calming and reassuring, I must have been more tired than I thought, now I can't remember what thread I read it on..this brain plays funny tricks on me sometimes. There are days I feel like my old self again, and days I question almost every thought I have. I know it will get better though, we are all fighters and do not give up or give in easliy!
Now to yesterdays stressful events, we woke up to a broken rear window in our SUV, seems there has been a rash of break-ins, only thing taken was a purse my wife was returning. We always park in the garage but have been having the drains from the kitchen and garage redone so the garage has been all torn up...figures, doesn't it! This "little" project has forced us to start cleaning out the garage though, the things we have found - it's like a trip down memory lane. From offee cups from just about every state we've traveled through (what were we thinking!) to Christmas presents you just said "Thank you..I love it" and then pack away, to my wife Frances' first attempt at needlepoint, she decided to surprise me and needlepoint my family Coat of Arms, a "bull" of all things..we laughed so hard, the poor bull's ears were lopsided, his eyes were almost demonic looking and his nostrils looked like they had nose rings! As I said we laughed and laughed...you can't buy a stress reliever like that! We also found a menu from a German restaurant we'd go to whenever we visited my family in the mid-west, they were known for serving family style and just good home cooking. What was so ironic was the butcher's last name means butcher in German...guess it was a no brainer what line of work he'd go into..haha, getting off topic here, what I started to say was how inexpensive the food was...bet it's not like that now! We also discovered numerous plaques and awards from my naval career , from aardvark al to cactus al...what a journey!
Sure is nice to have the old San Diego sun back, maybe I can get down to the beach when the winds turn warmer.
Have had a rough few weeks but seem to be getting back on track again, at least the best I can with all that has happened. Got a call from my neurologist yesterday telling me he's leaving in april or may. He thinks between my primary care physician and my cardiologist they should be able to handle my peripheral neuropathy care and my followup stroke care...we shall see. I can always request a new neurologist if I feel the need. Will be starting another round of PT and OT next week...his parting gift to me...hahaha!
George, if you read this I heard the funniest thing last week. We had our water heater replaced last week and the technician told us his girlfriends father is an mining engineer in Australia and that they have about 100 dachshunds they use to deliver messages in the mines- have you ever heard of such a thing? We told our little doxie if he didn't behave we were sending him down under..he looked at me and walked away - we know who runs this house!
Anyway, just wanted to say hello and hope all are doing well.
i have never heard of such a thing, dog delivering messages in the mines?#$%^^&
but you never know strangers things have happened.
anyhow, its good to hear from you. hope you keep on recovering, i know you will.
the last couple of weeks we had some hot days, anyway we will be complaining about the cold soon enough.
Cactus Al God bless you and all your loved ones..........
george
Last edited by goingtorun; 02-09-2013 at 12:26 AM.
Was just looking at the stroke site and your "goingtorun" moniker reminded me I wanted to touch base with you.
George, life seems to deal individuals like us the unforeseen medical tragedies. I am a very positive, live life to the fullest person, and always remember the love of our family and friends. I hope someday there is a convention where we all can meet in person.
Yes, I strongly and firmly believe you are going to run fast and far! So, just remember cactus al metzger when you do. Stay in touch if you can.
God Bless you, your country and mine, let us pray for all stroke victims, past present and future.
Aloha, Allen aka cactus al
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to cactus al For This Useful Post: goingtorun (02-15-2013)
LGood morning Larry/coupe, guyp, mulchie and Janet,
My wife and I have gained so much knowledge and felt such compassion from this site. It's really to bad that more information cannot be exchanged. I have endured many combat situations representing America where the rules were fair. I will always remember my friends from the board.
Yahoo Janet,
Cactus al metzger
The following user gives a hug of support to cactus al: growagourd (02-15-2013)
I ran into another post you replied to about spinal taps, and came over here to say hello and see if you remembered me from before? While I cannot go back and find the posts we wrote before, I do remember us discussing a variety of subjects from Vietnam to growing oranges and limes, and living in San Diego. Glad to see you are here, sharing your experience and good humor and positive attitude with all of us.
G’day cactus al,
Hope you and all your loved ones are well and in good spirits. I have never been one to say “if only” or “what if I tried that”. Life is too short to sit back and watch it go by.
There is nothing I would enjoy more than attending a convention where we could all meet.
I am working hard on the running; so much so, I reckon I will be ready to go 100 metres against Mr Usain Bolt. The only difference between Mr Bolt and me is they’ll be timing me with a calendar.
Allen I wish you well, and look forward to news that you are steadily improving. Mate I will never forget your kind words.
God bless.
The Following User Says Thank You to goingtorun For This Useful Post: cactus al (02-18-2013)
George,
Just wanted to check in and say hello...haven'y been on the computer much lately, fatigue has been my best friend the last few weeks. How ae things going with you?
Will write more in the next few days.
I have meant to write sooner. I have not felt to chipper these past few days. I have a heart problem to deal with. It seems my pacemaker is my last hope. It hit home the other day and made sit up and take notice.
Its a difficult task to deal with stroke, heart, colostomy and diabetes. Some hand I was dealt
Well George we just move forward and pray for others as well as self
Hope to hear from you soon
Allen. Cactus al
The Following User Says Thank You to cactus al For This Useful Post: goingtorun (03-15-2013)
Hi there Cactus,
So glad you're feeling better. I do think that it's time that God cuts you some slack, though. You are due!
Just heard an interesting tidbit on the news that I thought you and your wife would get a kick out of.....it seems that Worcester, MA has been named the city with the greatest amount of snow this winter in the nation
g'day cactus al,
Good to hear from you, i hope you and your loved ones are well and in good sprits. I guess it starting to warm up in your neck of the woods, yesterday I had to wear jumper for the first time this year. The recovery progress has slowed, but every now and then I suprise myself with a little an unexpected improvement.
Thank God!!!!!
Anyhow it was good to hear from you, all the very best and God bless......
George..
Re: confused 
