Hi Everyone,

On Saturday morning, my father, i.e. The Trainer, was admitted to the hospital after having a Stroke. It seems to have been a mild one. He drove himself to the hospital - a little scary, but what can I say, he's old school tough. He's a bit uncoordinated on his left-hand side, but he's able to talk and walk (a bit wobbly). The left side of his face is a saggy, but it's gotten better since Saturday morning. In his words, "if my face continues to sag, I'll just have to perfect my Dick Cheney sneer". My father is left-handed so this is crimp in his eating, shaving and handwriting stylings. Thankfully he shoots with his right, so he'll have a steady aim with an itchy trigger finger for a little while, which isn't always such a bad thing in my book. He should be released from the hospital today if all goes well. I wouldn't be surprised if he posts another entry later today with all the details. He just wanted to let everyone know that he's doing well, he's in good spirits and he'll be back to blogging soon. --Amanda "The Trainee"

Updates - Monday: I'm back....thanx Amanda.

Well now, that was an experience I wouldn't wish on anybody. I was brushing my teeth Saturday morning when my jaw went numb, the toothbrush got heavy, and my hand got tingley. I was dragging a foot, and my speech was slurred (from the numbness). Yikes...It had to be a stroke...so off to the ER.
What a strange feeling. I had a bazillion (expensive) tests and I've been told it was mild...all symptoms should be gone in a week or two. I can talk, I don't have saggy features, I can walk fine....I do not require fancy drugs....I was lucky.

...what I am is clumsy. No longer do I have the finely tuned muscle control of the Olympic athlete that I had Saturday morning, but it's coming back. Only on the left side...my right side is fine...and as my daughter points out...my trigger control hasn't suffered. As for my driving, I always drove like a stroke victim.

I don't want to go thru this again...more lifestyle changes coming up....

Update:- Tuesday Got my signature back Tuesday night. Touch typing is still a chore tho. Got all my pills and discussed them with my doctor...decided not to take one of them because I have no problem with my blood pressure. I'll take the thinners and diabetic stuff for a while, and watch my pressure carefully (It was high in the hospital)...it was tested at 106/65 and 137/75 today...not bad for a broke dick stroked out old fart.

Neither the wife or the dog will let me out of their sight. Two fingers and the thumb still tingly but no longer numb...same with a spot on my jaw. Walking OK, but with a wider stance than usual according to wife...well I still feel clumsy. Cursive writing is very slow as is typing. No headaches or vision problems. My wife keeps handing me a cane, I keep leaving it places. I need to get one lead-filled for plane trips. New Jersey allows you to carry a switch blade if you only have one usable arm...I wonder if I can scam this into getting that permit. Yes, Jersey sucks, but you knew that.

Update - Wenesday: Went to a job site today. I still feel clumsy, and typing is a chore, but I can function satisfactorily on the job site. There were no problems with my energy level or comprehension. Gots to make the monies you know. I was on a conf call this evening and that was OK too. Hopefully the neurologist is right and all of this will pass...it feels exceedingly strange. I've never felt this clumsy...the fine motor skills are still not there, altho getting a bit better every day.