in Hermit Truths Loneliness on with 5 Comments by Jodi Chromey

Stroke Me Day 40: Like Oscar the Grouch

Hello Darling Ones, Yesterday, I accidentally blurted out 45 years of fat kid trauma onto my unsuspecting physical therapist. I know she is not “that kind” of therapist, but once the confession got going I couldn’t stop. I started by apologizing about being a sweaty, panting pile of goo after some small exercises. She shook her head in dismissal, because the apology was unnecessary. “It’s the fat kid in gym class,” I said. “I get anxious whenever I start to…

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in Hermit Truths on with 2 Comments by Jodi Chromey

Stroke Me Day 35: Fatigue Management

Hey Darling Ones, Have I complained lately about what absolute garbage the stroke recovery process is? Lest you forget, it is the worst. Also, please remember, that I hate it and do not recommend having a stroke. I need to believe even people who possess the patience of saints, who I guess were notoriously patient, would struggle with the time it takes to heal. Having the patience of a tired and hungry toddler, I am not doing so well. I…

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in Hermit Truths on by Jodi Chromey

Stroke Me Day 30: System Failure

Dear Darling Ones, Thirty days after the stroke that leveled me, I finally finally FINALLY have a physical therapy appointment. It’s tomorrow at 9 a.m. While I know I won’t oversleep, I’ll definitely under-sleep, I’m still afraid I will. Yesterday, I had another follow-up appointment with my nurse practitioner, who I have a crush on now. She’s the first medical professional who did not treat my body like a weird problem to be solved. She did not shame me for…

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Stroke Me Day 26: The Modern Leper

Hi Darling Ones, The thing that sticks with me the most from the 11 hours I spent in the Emergency Room the day I had my stroke is asking the MRI technician if I could listen to Frightened Rabbit. Because I have a tendency toward claustrophobia they gave me some kind of sedative before wheeling me into the MRI place. I was feeling pretty loosey goosey by the time I was laying on the bed that goes into the machine….

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in Hermit Truths on by Jodi Chromey

Stroke Me Day 22: Am I Having a Stroke?

Dear Local Twitter Dads, Today I saw your tweets expressing incredulity at the price of family food and entertainment. The punchline of those tweets, Am I having a stroke? hurt my feelings. Yes, I know it was just a joke. I’ve made that joke myself in the past. But damn, it sure hits different when you survived a stoke 22 days ago. Twitter Dads, I don’t actually know what it’s like to have a stroke. I think I slept through…

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Stroke Me Day 18: Wildly Underestimated

Dear Darling Ones, A long time ago I had an idea to write about all the different ways you can cry in a day. I was gonna keep track of my tears and then tell you about them. I don’t think I ever got around to it. If I did, keep that fact to yourself. I just had a stroke! I’m allowed to forget some things. If I did that post today, one of ways you can cry is “6…

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