March is Spiritual Wellness Month. It’s a great time to remember we are not just a physical body. Each of us also has an inner life consisting of our mind and spirit.
It is said that the healthiest among us understand this important link between the mind and body. These people practice spiritual wellness daily as they work to relate to the world around them and discover purpose and meaning in their life. They are clear about the values, ethics and morals guiding their life and giving meaning and direction to it.
Photo Credit: Linda Leier Thomason
What is Spirituality?
Many associate spirituality with religious beliefs. But some people are spiritual without being religious. How? Well, every person has their own spiritual preferences. Some pray in a traditional way or take prayer walks or do prayer dances. Others meditate and reflect, or use crystal healing.
Whatever way you choose to define and practice spirituality, the common denominator is recognition of something greater than us that connects each of us to something good. This something greater is often referred to as a “higher power” or “superior being.”
There is no “one size fits all” way to nurture your spiritual well-being. Find a way that works best for you. And, if Craft LifeStyle Management can guide your journey, please contact us. Contact – Craft Lifestyle Management (craftlifestylemgt.com)
8 Spiritual Wellness Activities
Get outdoors. Connecting with nature in whatever way you enjoy (walking, biking, canoeing, rock climbing, etc.) improves spiritual health. Try to spend time outside daily.
Volunteer. In addition to helping others, volunteering provides a feeling of accomplishment. Find a cause you care about: Mentorship, Food Bank, Pet Shelter, Highway Litter Clean-Up, Refugees, etc. There’s a bonus: You can meet others who share your interests.
Write in a Journal Start recording your life events and feelings. Jot what you’re grateful for daily. Write down your dreams, fears and anxieties. Release them. A side-benefit of this-you’re bound to become more self-aware.
Turn Off Electronics. Be present. Turn off the TV, computer and telephone. Focus on yourself, your friends, family and partner. Make time for relaxing in your day.
Pause social media. It’s great to stay updated on family and friends lives but not if it creates feelings of jealousy, anger, resentment or sadness. Take a vacation from it and learn to appreciate your life rather than compare your life to others.
Go on a Retreat. Take some time away from your normal routine and find a place where you will feel at peace. Some churches offer retreat centers, but this could also be the beach, mountains, a state park, or a hotel. Use this time to look within and create, or update, a vision and purpose for your life. Sort of like one does in the workplace.
Think Positively & Live in Harmony. Keep a positive, upbeat attitude. Be hopeful and committed to your beliefs and principles. Decide to live each day in harmony. Align your vision, purpose and guiding principles in every area of your life including social, career or business.
Look for Deeper Meanings. Connect with Like-Minded People.Perhaps this is in a religious community or civic organization. Find those who share your ideas and thoughts. This connection can be online, in person or over the phone. Engage in fellowship and meaningful conversations and connections.
Risk of Not Searching for Meaning & Purpose
Use this month dedicated to Spiritual Wellness to examine your systems of faith, beliefs, values, ethics, principles and morals.
It all sounds sort of deep. However, the downside of not pausing and doing this self-reflection is going through life repeating the same tasks, activities and interactions without understanding the purpose and meaning of your life.
How Will You Celebrate Spiritual Wellness Month?
Do something fun that makes you feel connected to your life’s purpose.
For many of us a new year is a time for those New Year’s resolutions. Let’s be honest. Resolutions are hard because they require us to make changes in our lives about the way we are doing things. Resolutions are usually difficult to stick to. When we don’t, we feel discouraged. Most of us give up before January ends.
January is also Self-Love Month. How about trying a different approach to resolutions this year?
#1 Resolution
The number one resolution is almost always to lose weight or change something about ourselves. While health and self-improvement are great goals, it is equally important to love yourself.
Waistlines and scales do not tell us what a great family member you are or how kind, generous and compassionate you are. They can’t measure the care you give to loved ones.
Here’s a fresh approach to start 2022.
Be kind to your body and show yourself some love this month, and every month.
If you’re looking for some healthy new resolutions where you can see real positive changes in your overall health and well-being and also practice self-love, put some effort toward:
Beginning a New Exercise Routine
Set aside the negative self-talk which has prevented you from achieving this goal in the past. Yes, this is easier said than done! Find a likeminded friend. Set a time to meet weekly. The only rule is there can be no sitting and eating when together.
Walk. 🚶♀️🚶♂️
Weather is a great excuse during winter months. Eliminate the excuse. Find a warm indoor space like a mall. No, this doesn’t mean you have to shop and spend. Just walk and talk.
Starting to move doesn’t need to be difficult. It can be fun! Yes, fun! Start with something you truly enjoy. Whatever you choose, commit for short periods and then add on.
If it was easy, this would not be the ‘resolution’ where we start over each new year. Right?
Sticking with it and remaining active is a mindset.
Now that you and your friend are getting together once or twice a week to move, take it to another level.
Stay focused on your resolutions.
Perhaps join a gym. It is very intimidating to walk into a gym when you are not used to that environment. Once you join, try all the different classes. It is a great way to learn new things and see what you truly enjoy.
Most communities have free or reasonably priced fitness classes. These are ideal for those more likely to stay committed to a routine by joining a group. Groups not only hold one accountable but provide great socialization.
Denise’s Insight about Movement
Those who know me personally know I go nuts if I cannot get energy out of my body! Those caged squirrels about do me in. After a stress-filled day, I cannot just come home and sit. No matter the time of day, I have to take at least 30 minutes to unwind my brain by moving my body. A walk will do just this for me.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Exercise movement not only impacts your physical health. It’s also great for your mental health. It releases endorphins making you feel happy. Exercise helps your body release negative energy. It rids the body of anxiety. In other words, a simple brisk walk can make you feel calmer and more relaxed.
In 2022, commit to moving your body. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Other things affecting your mental health are:
Getting a great night’s sleep
Eating a balanced diet
Spending quality time with others
Boosting your brain with activities like word games, Sudoku, or playing an instrument.
If you have unresolved issues affecting your mental health, maybe 2022 is the time to make an appointment with a professional mental health counselor to deal with these emotional difficulties or mental illness. This is self-love, not weakness or selfishness.
Denise’s Insight about Mental Health
Silence is another way to care for your mental health. It’s my favorite. Yes, there is meditating and being in quiet to connect with one’s inner self in stillness. It’s a beautiful thing!
I love when our clients say, “Oh sure I will just sit down and meditate while I have my parents, children, work, etc. all on my plate!!”
I totally get this, and live this.
This is what I do daily. I put my dinging phone away and turn off all electronics around me. In complete silence I unload the dishwasher, fold laundry or pick up a room. The quiet forces me to listen to nothing and to hear my own thoughts. This is my early morning meditation. It works wonders for me. Perhaps it will for you.
Practicing Self-Care
Self-Care is an act of self-love. It is taking care of yourself in a physical, mental, emotional or spiritual way. You are aware of your own needs and do what is necessary to meet them. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes of your day to browse a favorite website or enjoy a desired snack. Or, it can be as involved as a spa day.
Contrary to most of our upbringings, self-care is not being selfish or indulgent. Rather, it is essential to having a healthy mind and body.
If we do not work on ourselves and make time for rest and relaxation or if we neglect our souls, we will burn out. Depleting ourselves, we are no good to anyone, including ourselves.
8 Steps Toward Self-Love in 2022
So, as we begin 2022 in the month dedicated to self-love,
Surround yourself with good.
Remember you are important.
Plan something just for you & have something to look forward to.
Take joy in the success of others.
Let your guard down and receive care from others. Accept a hug or massage. Share your feelings. Ask for help.
Trust yourself and your voice. You don’t need to apologize for having an opinion that differs from others.
Be accountable to yourself and others. Don’t make excuses for your unacceptable behavior, or accept others’ excuses for theirs.
Cut yourself some slack, nobody’s perfect! Have some fun.
Mary, a Michigan educator and mother of three young children, lost Andy, her 38-year-old husband of 10 years, on November 20, 2020, after he died of a sudden heart attack.
If Mary could say one more sentence to Andy, it wouldn’t be the usual, “I love you sentence.”
Instead, she’d plead, “Please take care of yourself. We need you here.”
Who’s Andy?
Mary describes Andy as a hard worker, fun loving and someone filled with a zest for life. Andy was committed to helping people around him. He was a learner and a go-getter.
Professionally he was a supervisor with Grand Blanc Processing and self-employed in property management. He was known for working with his hands and enjoyed woodworking and carpentry.
Andy loved camping, fishing and hunting with his family and friends and doing outdoor things with his kids.
Andy’s Heart
Neither Mary nor Andy knew of any pre-existing health conditions prior to his shocking death. Though both were acutely aware his paternal grandfather died at age 42 from heart disease and his dad had prior open-heart surgery.
Andy was committed to seeing a doctor for an annual wellness exam. In fact, his next one was scheduled the week after his passing.
According to Mary, he rarely complained of any health malady but that week he’d often say he had heartburn and GERD-Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Mary admits they likely missed the signs of his failing heart. “He was such a hard worker that I think his body aches from his side job of building and fixing things were more than work-related aches and pains.”
Having gone through this experience, Mary implores all to pay attention to your body, even in the busy times of life. Don’t put off being seen. “Had Andy been seen for his heartburn, maybe things would have been different.”
Dad’s Not Coming Home
Andy had been trying to fix a neighbor woman’s sink when he passed away.
The neighbor was there when he passed out, immediately administered CPR and then called the ambulance.
“When she came to tell me Andy was being taken to the hospital, I think I dismissed what she said because in my head I registered that he got hurt on the job. That is what I told my kids at first.”
Hospital
At the hospital, Mary was taken to a room, not to her husband. A doctor asked her what she knew. She said she knew Andy passed out and was taken by ambulance. “In my head I was not registering that CPR meant he was not breathing.”
The doctor had said ma’am your husband did not make it. I am so sorry.
Mary sat in shock. She began to cry for her children as they had just lost their dad.
Home
She returned home where her mother was watching the children. They sat together as Mary shared, “Daddy was a really hard worker and his heart just stopped. Daddy was dead and he was never going to come home.”
The oldest, nine-year-old, daughter, Teagan, cried uncontrollably while son, Logan, who was four at the time, seemed okay. “He was sad, but not like Teagan.”
He was very literal with his father’s death. “He’d call me a cry baby. I’d remind him it’s okay to be sad and to cry.”
In fact, Logan wanted to remove his dad’s chair from the dining room table because he would not be eating there anymore. “I told him I would like to keep the chair there.” He suggested removing other items too “because Daddy doesn’t need it anymore.”
Logan didn’t want to go to the funeral home “but I made him go to just say one last goodbye.”
Teagan stayed with Mary the whole time. “She has been my rock. She gives me hugs when I am sad and tells me she loves me.”
Now
Today, Logan talks about his dad and draws pictures of him and his little sister, Everleigh, age one, so that she will have memories of him.
Mary is well aware that each of her kids has their own way of dealing with their father’s death and that grief will continue to appear as time passes.
A Widow’s Grief
Andy and Mary both grew up in Flint, Michigan. They’d known one another since grade school. Andy was the best friend of her brother.
“I had a crush on him. I thought he was cute.”
Andy offered to take Mary to her senior prom because she didn’t have a date. “I thought that was so sweet.”
From there they had an on and off again relationship, always running back to one another.
They got engaged in April 2009 while on spring break in the Tennessee mountains.
Today, Mary misses Andy’s sly smile, humor and fun side. He was always cracking a joke or just being funny.
She’s constantly questioning if she’s doing the right thing as a mom. “Rules and consequences are on me. I became single overnight and the kids rely on me.”
She’s doing her best and admits often feeling overwhelmed.
“People say I’m so strong. It’s not that I’m strong. I have three little people needing me to get up and live every day even when I don’t want to.”
She’s going through typical emotions of grief. She’s felt
Numb. Especially at the hospital when receiving the news.
Shock. Feeling like it wasn’t real and that this could not be happening to her.
Anger and Madness. About three weeks after Andy’s passing a TV commercial aired on heart attacks. Mary became so angry that she was unaware of how bad Andy’s heartburn was and what the signs of his body aches meant. “I was mad and angry because people have heart surgery and valve replacements and stents put in and live their lives for quite a bit longer. I was mad that we did not get a chance to fix anything. After being mad and angry, I just circle back to being sad.”
Sad. Sad for her kids that they will miss their dad. He loved them so much. “I’m also sad because we had dreams of buying a new house together and raising our babies together. We had dreams of being retired and camping together.” She’s deeply sad for all of what could have been.
Mary allows herself to cry. “I literally had a day where I cried all day.” Everything set her off. Tears would not stop. Her mom offered to come take the kids.
Mary refused.
“I told her they’d just see me cry on a different day.” This is their reality at the moment. “I am sure they are going to see me cry a lot and I am not going to hide my feelings from them.”
Blame Game
Mary admits, at first, she blamed everyone for Andy’s death.
I blamed time and energy drinks. “In his last two years Andy picked up drinking energy drinks all the time. He was very busy with work and energy drinks were his go-to.”
Time, because the next week was his annual physical. “I feel sure Andy would have mentioned the heartburn to his doctor. Maybe Andy could’ve had heart surgery. I do feel energy drinks played a role in his heart attack.”
She blamed God. The day before his passing, Mary visited her brother’s grave asking him and God to watch over her family and protect them from the crazy Pandemic times.
“I was devastated and felt unheard.”
Next, she blamed her husband. Why would he let something like this happen?
She blamed herself. Andy had mentioned heartburn earlier in the week. “Why didn’t I take this more seriously and ask more questions?” She wishes she could turn back time and tell Andy to go see a doctor.
“I blamed his doctor, the people who were there with him in his time of need.”
When all was said and done, she knew “we all die and most times we don’t know when our time is up.”
Acts of Kindness
Mary’s friends and family have provided endless support.
They organized an unforgettable meal train whereby she had meals coming every day for a month. “I truly couldn’t even imagine having to try to figure out a meal for my three kids. It was so nice to have it done for me.” Along with the meal train, the group collected donations to assist in funeral expenses.
Friends let her vent. They listened to how she felt.
Family was there with an outpouring of love. Her parents live nearby and help with the kids.
“I have a village and cannot express how lucky I am to have them all in my life. I cannot imagine going through something like this alone.”
Employer
Andy’s employer reached out right away and got life insurance and retirement paperwork to Mary. They allowed her to keep his company phone and paid for several months of service. They also generously paid for three months of their health insurance-something Mary hadn’t even thought about at the time. “I cried on the phone with their kindness. I was so appreciative.”
Comfort & Surprise
Mary was both surprised and comforted when a family, whose children she’d cared for 20 years prior while working in the infant room at a daycare center, hand-delivered $500 to her at home.
“I told them I couldn’t possibly accept the money. But the dad told me I’d taken care of their babies when they needed someone and now, they wanted to help me in my time of need. I just cried. It was all I could do. He gave me a big hug and told me to get in the house and love on my 9-month-old, Everleigh, who was at the door waving.”
There were, and are, so many people who care and are kind.
It’s such a lesson and “I wish for my family to live a life of happiness and to always have love in their hearts too.”
Thank You
Gratitude & deep appreciation to Mary for sharing her story with us. Wishing she and her family much peace and happiness in the days ahead.
SHARE this post with anyone who needs to hear:
Take care of yourself.
Your family needs you here.
Listen to your body.
Seek appropriate medical care.
You matter to many.
FOOTNOTE: Don’t avoid discussing death while living. Get a will. Talk about funeral plans. Who would you like to care for your children if both parents pass at the same time? Put this in writing. Be prepared. See link below.
If you’d like to leave a message for Mary, do so below.
Linda Leier Thomason is a former CEO who writes freelance business and travel stories, along with feature articles. Her work experiences include a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. Find out more about Linda by clicking the “Meet Linda” tab above. Interested in working together? Complete this form below.
Two 57-year-old female professionals meet for the first time at a sushi bar in Omaha, Nebraska. It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke. It’s not. Kathy and Terry quickly learned they shared triple negative breastcancer.
At a patio table in the late day’s sunshine, they tossed medical jargon around like others discuss politics or sports. They laughed while sharing baldness tales. They empathized with one another while listening to how cancer affects loved ones more than themselves.
Repeatedly, they blasted the negativity of cancer information. Neither ever found a book or article that was “positive about what an amazing journey cancer can be if one keeps the right attitude.”
Despite this, these women stayed focused on the positive aspects of cancer during and after treatment.
I marvel at their strength, frankness and sense of humor. Each will inspire you, or a loved one facing a cancer diagnosis.
If someone you know or love is facing cancer, SHARE this story with them. Even if you don’t have a cancer diagnosis, these women and their positive approach to life are inspirational.
Meet the fantastic Kathy & Terry
Kathy Bressler
Kathy and Mike, her husband of 35 years, recently moved to Omaha from the Pacific Northwest. She’s the Senior VP, Chief Operating Officer for CHI Health. Their two married sons, a daughter and four grandchildren remain there. Her general health was “amazing” before her 2015 cancer diagnosis. Today she still describes it as “awesome.”
She should know. Kathy has both a masters and a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Family History
Kathy’s mother died from her second breast cancer at age 61. Her grandmother died from the same when Kathy’s mom was just 9 years old. This strong family history had Kathy doing monthly breast self-exams at a young age and starting mammograms at age 35. In 2002 she was genetically tested and was negative for BRCA1 andBRCA2.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, I was genetically tested again for all of the genes known, and I was negative for all of them, again.”
Hearing You Have Cancer
“I had a very hot, sharp pain in my right breast on November 29, 2015. My husband urged me to be seen. So, I had diagnostics the next day.” Kathy’s general surgeon delivered the cancer diagnosis to her. “Hearing it is a surreal out-of-body feeling. I was probably less scared than my family and friends because I had so many things I had to do.” Her surgeon didn’t give her any prognosis. Instead, they got to work and jointly planned action steps “to take care of business. I was sad and scared for my family, more than anything.”
Kathy had both breasts removed 11 days after diagnosis. The tumor was so close to the surface that the circulation in her right breast was compromised. She spent six weeks in a hyperbaric chamber. Doing this five days a week, seven hours a day healed her.
In early February 2016 she started 22 weeks of chemotherapy and ended five weeks of radiation therapy in August 2016. She had reconstructive surgery to remove spacers and insert implants in April 2017.
A month later she contracted an infection behind the right-side implant and was hospitalized for five days on IV antibiotics. She also took oral antibiotics for another six weeks.
Today, she’s infection free and feeling “awesome.” She has oncologist appointments once every quarter. “She checks labs for abnormalities and any symptoms that might indicate a recurrence. Recurrence is my greatest fear.”
Head Shaving Party
Kathy’s family, friends and caregivers surrounded her with love and comfort upon hearing her diagnosis. Each continues to check in regularly. As one would expect, when hearing the diagnosis, they had the normal emotions of sadness, thoughtfulness and support.
They drove her to appointments and offered to help in other ways. “I tried hard to stay independent. It was nice to be able to let loved ones do something.” It made them feel part of her journey.
“I’d urge family members to learn about the diagnosis, don’t baby the patient.” Rather she’d encourage them to exercise daily and stay connected socially. She did both.
She’s a hot yoga fanatic. She did it every single day throughout treatment. “The people there were with me every day. I couldn’t have asked for more love and kindness.”
Kathy hosted a head shaving party for 53 people. “It was amazing to watch the emotion in the room. I was doing great. I know it was hard for everyone. It was a very special evening. Being bald was amazing and I love that.”
Gold Star
Hopefully any cancer patient has a list of those who provided comfort through treatment. Kathy does. Husband Mike was “positive and encouraging.” Her kids were amazing. Her daughter was like a nurse to her-hopping in the shower with her mom to ensure her safety when she was weak.
Her brother and sister-in-law and girlfriend, Jennifer, were rock solid in their support.
She’d award a gold star to her chemo nurse Krystal. Krystal took care of her every Monday for 22 weeks. “I fell madly in love with her. She could not have provided me more positive care.” Krystal became a good friend and a great teacher.
Blessed by Cancer Lessons
Kathy is an administrator in a large healthcare system. Her personal cancer journey has changed the way she leads.
It caused her to re-think about what their patients deserve.
She’s quickly irritated hearing stories about how other women were not taken care of in the way they should’ve been. She fully understands not everyone’s journey was amazing as hers was.
Today she:
Asks employers of cancer patients to be sensitive and let them keep working as able.
Tells oncologists to stay positive and encourage their patients to do the same.
Urges patients to accept the love and support of family, friends and caregivers.
Reaches out to newly diagnosed women.
Participates in a California study specific to triple negative breast cancer.
Serves on the Susan G. Komen Advisory Board.
Wishes for a world without breast cancer.
Feels beyond blessed to have experienced breast cancer. “I know it sounds odd but this diagnosis has changed my life for the better, in so many ways.”
Terry Owens
Terry, a recently retired Disability Management Director, was in excellent health when she learned she had breast cancer. Equally annoying was the fact that there was no family history of breast cancer.
“I was showering one July 2015 morning and felt a large lump in my left breast near the armpit. I called my gynecologist and therein began my cancer journey.” Several referrals and appointments later, she learned it had already become Stage 3. It wasn’t until after Labor Day 2015 she heard it was Triple Negative Cancer.
Self-Exams & Mammograms
A native of Northeast Arkansas with a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, Terry is a mother of two adult children and grandmother to a 17-month-old. Baby Lyla is expected in December 2017.
She learned to perform breast self-exams at the Baptist Health Breast Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“They have videos and sample breasts with lumps for patients to palpate.” This teaches women what a lump may feel like on her body. Terry admits she was not vigilant about performing monthly self-exams, but she did perform them every so often. She did have mammograms yearly.
Steps to Wellness
Terry’s initial screening (mammogram and ultrasound) was in Arkansas. “The technician returned to the room with a pale and sick look on her face. I knew it was cancer even though she couldn’t confirm it.” Terry was alone when the gynecologist called to share the results and initiate a plan.
She returned to Omaha where she lived and worked. Her primary care physician referred her to a breast surgeon who performed a biopsy and reported the triple negative diagnosis.
She started chemotherapy in early September and became terribly sick, losing 12 pounds along with her hair 16 days after starting. She felt extreme fatigue.
In February 2016, she had a lumpectomy and began radiation, which lasted two months. [Her lymph nodes weren’t removed. Instead her chest, breast and armpit were radiated.]
Follow Ups to Health
After completing radiation, Terry was seen every three months and had repeated mammograms.
Today she’s seen every six months by a breast surgeon, oncologist and oncology radiologist. Like Kathy, she’s also participating in a research study. Hers is for patients who choose not to remove lymph nodes.
She’s happy to report she’s clear and returning to health.
Faith & Comfort
As expected, when hearing her diagnosis, her children cried. They offered love and support throughout. “Most embraced the hope of recovery and survival.”
Terry has a deep faith in the Lord. “He provided my friends and family, as well as my church family, to minister to me and take care of me. Even though I lived alone, someone was with me every time I had chemotherapy.”
Her best friends visited, brought food and kept house. Her children came. “I had enough drugs in me from Friday treatments that I felt well enough to show friends and family around Omaha. Unfortunately, I was always sickest on Sundays-the day everyone left to go home or back to school and work.”
Simple Bit of Food Advice
In their wanting to help, many brought food Terry couldn’t eat. Unfortunately, she had to dispose of it and sometimes didn’t have a prepared meal as scheduled. For instance, she couldn’t tolerate onions and garlic. So, she’d recommend asking the patient or her caregiver about food tolerance before you drop food off for the patient. She doesn’t want someone’s thoughtful and kind gesture to go to waste.
Superstar Chemist
Terry singled out the chemist who mixed her chemo drugs as a superstar through her cancer journey. “He was fabulous in giving me all kinds of helpful tips on caring for myself and managing the nausea, constipation and fatigue.” He even put stickers on her papers and directions for her medication schedules. Simple touches go a long way.
More Information
Click on the green live links throughout this article.
Linda Leier Thomason is a former CEO who writes freelance business and travel stories, along with feature articles. Her work experiences include a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. Find out more about Linda by clicking the “Meet Linda” tab above. Interested in working together? Complete this form below. Rights Reserved.
MAY IS AMERICAN STROKE MONTH.While stroke threatens millions of lives, it is largely preventable, treatable and beatable. Together, we can end stroke.™
My family has a history of suffering and dying from strokes. Five of my mother’s sisters had strokes; most died from them. My paternal grandparents also suffered from strokes. I’m concerned. Are you?
“Stroke Awareness Month” is a great time to refresh yourself on the warning signs and to learn about the personal impact of having a stroke.
Here are some sobering statistics on US data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death-140,000+ people die annually.
High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke.
Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability.
Approximately 795,000 people suffer a stroke annually. About 600,000 of these are first attacks, and 185,000 are recurrent attacks.
Nearly 3/4 of all strokes happen in people aged 65+. The risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55.
Strokes can and do occur at any age. Nearly 1/4 occur in people under the age of 65.
African-Americans have a higher stroke death rate than whites, even at younger ages.
Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, on average.
Smoking increases chances for a stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent risk factor for stroke, increasing risk about 5 times.
Barbara bravely shares her story about having and recovering from a stroke. She wants you to be informed and prepared. She felt unprepared.
If you’re recovering from a stroke, let her struggle and story inspire you. Know we wish you well on your recovery journey. If you’d like to reach out to Barbara, contact me.
January 8, 2015
Barbara went about her usual morning routine preparing to play music for Sunday mass. Only this day she was dizzy with a headache and had weak legs. She found herself bumping into walls because she couldn’t walk a straight line. Since she started feeling “fluish” already on Friday, she brushed it off as flu weakness. Afterall, it was the height of flu season. Sunday night her voice became incoherent and her husband called 911.
Even while being transported to the hospital, Barbara didn’t realize she’d had a stroke. She wasn’t showing what she considered two classic stroke symptoms: facial drooping or impaired vision. At the hospital a CAT scan was normal but a MRI showed she’d had a brain stem stroke.
Barbara spent two days in ICU and later learned her dominant right side was no longer working.
Wants to Die
She grieved losing the use of her right hand. The one she usually relied on for guitar picking, piano playing, gripping her cherished violin bow, typing, brushing her teeth and combing her hair; and driving. She loved the insurance business she’d built with her husband and cherished their travel adventures. Upon waking up in ICU, all of these perceived losses were overwhelming. She admits she briefly gave up and wanted to be taken to Oregon, where physician assisted suicide is legal, and die.
Rehab
Soon Barbara had a change of heart and was determined to get well again, at whatever cost. Music and grandchildren drove her recovery. She needed to hold her year-old grandson and play hide-and-seek with her 7-year-old twin grandchildren. She definitely longed to play guitar at Sunday mass. After a month in the hospital, Barbara began 12 months of three therapies. Occupational therapy lasted a year. Physical therapy 9 months and speech therapy 6 months.
Today
Barbara’s determination and ability to work hard to achieve what seemed like an insurmountable goal is commendable and applause worthy.
“I am so much better after 15 months. I cannot write with my right hand so I type with my left.” While not yet “up to speed” with her violin or classical piano, she can strum the guitar just fine and is back playing at Sunday mass. “I can’t do any fancy picking yet.”
She’s returned to work with 90 percent of her speech back, explaining to customer groups that she’s a stroke survivor. Eight months post stroke, her foot gave out and broke in four places. Learning to be less self-conscious about her limp is a work-in-progress.
Barbara is eternally grateful for the love and support of her husband, family and friends as well as the devotion and care from her neurologist and therapists. Understandably, she’s much more in touch with her mortality.
She was a healthy, thriving woman who was vigilant about annual checkups. Physicians had not warned her about the possibility of having a stroke because she didn’t have any of the risk factors.
She had quit smoking decades ago, rarely drank and was not overweight. Nor did she have high blood pressure. Both parents passed away from cancer, not strokes.
Still, Barbara suffered a stroke.
Barbara would like you to know
Seemingly perfect health does not make you immune to stroke.
Flu like symptoms, especially affecting your knees or legs, need immediate attention.
Just because your parents didn’t suffer a stroke doesn’t mean you can’t.
Become familiar with the sudden symptoms of stroke.
Kathy and Mike, her husband of 35 years, recently moved to Omaha from the Pacific Northwest. She’s the Senior VP, Chief Operating Officer for CHI Health. Their two married sons, a daughter and four grandchildren remain there. Her general health was “amazing” before her 2015 cancer diagnosis. Today she still describes it as “awesome.”
Kathy hosted a head shaving party for 53 people. “It was amazing to watch the emotion in the room. I was doing great. I know it was hard for everyone. It was a very special evening. Being bald was amazing and I love that.”
Terry, a recently retired Disability Management Director, was in excellent health when she learned she had breast cancer. Equally annoying was the fact that there was no family history of breast cancer.
