Stroke Victims – Million Dollar Loss

I’m feeling exceedingly rich today.

Diane drug me kicking and screaming to the monthly meeting of a local stroke survivor’s group. Many survivors have a natural reluctance to attend. The whole stroke experience is so blasted painful I have little interest in dwelling on the thing. I guess others feel the same.

I met two new people yesterday and they both were strong hard working men. The picture of success.

The first was a doctor who had a stroke eight years ago. Now he cannot talk much at all. He tries all the time, but all you can understand are the words “I”, “is” and “shit.” Shit come through loud and clear. Mostly, he cries.

All strokes are different.

He was a well known surgeon who never had time for a wife or friends. Dedicated to his work. He was driven. Now, he has a paid care giver who has little interest in actually helping him; he spent the meeting sleeping in the car. The guy won’t even take him out much. But the Doctor can’t talk, write or move without help so what’s he going to do?

Not the retirement plan most “successful people” would choose.

The second man was a lot of fun to talk to. He was a roofing contractor who had his stroke while fixing a roof. He fell about eight feet and really messed himself up. He dissected a carotid artery, so now he only has one. His brain swelled so much they had to remove his skull and store it in a freezer from July till Christmas. I can’t even imagine laying in bed for all those months without a skull.

But he got his skull back and learned to walk some. His left arm just hangs there. Ties it up with a brace. Like I said, he was fun to talk to; a bright man with a good sense of humor. We hit it off right away. He has a good wife and family. His son runs the contracting business. So he has plenty of money for high powered rehab.

He can’t tell Monday from May or move his left leg without help. And his wife said, “he is just now coming to grips with his situation.” Which means he’s still in emotional hell. Because he hasn’t let go of the past.

All strokes are different.

As I watched them drive away in there brand new BMW 745UL, I couldn’t help thinking how rich I was. Because I accepted my fate before I even regained consciousness.

I thought about the economic difficulties most people are having right now. And how most think all they need is more money. Maybe they have not yet come to grips with the realities they face. The world is different now. And it will never be like it was ever again.

How can life ever be the same? We’ve all changed.

Grieve what you lost. Grieve and move on. The future looks bright and brimming with abundance once you leave the past behind you. Let the Universe open the doors, provide the means, make safe your path and guide your way.

Last year cost me about $1,000,000.00 in stroke and stroke recovery, lost income and lost equity in my home. But I’m still here and I’m moving on.

It’s not how much money you have that makes you rich. Money can all go away quicker than you can dial 911.

Oh well, on a lighter note this morning I scratched my backside with my right hand. My Brain Stroke Miracle Healing continues. Glory Halleluiah! I can’t help but wonder what I’ll do with that hand next.

Sing along with me to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic:

I’m Rich Beyond My Wildest Dreams. I am. I am. I am.

• More to come