Category: Health & Wellness

Parent of Health & Wellness

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Navigating Temperature Control Challenges After a Stroke: A Personal Journey

In the wake of my husband’s stroke, we faced a myriad of challenges, one of which was his sudden struggle with body temperature regulation. This unexpected journey began when he suffered a brain stroke, leading to bleeding in the central part of his brain. Among the areas impacted was the hypothalamus, nestled just above the brainstem.

The hypothalamus plays a pivotal role in maintaining our body’s equilibrium, a state known as homeostasis. As the Cleveland Clinic outlines, this small but mighty part of the brain acts as a messenger, coordinating crucial functions such as body temperature, blood pressure, and even our moods and sleep patterns.

The initial three months post-stroke were particularly tough, and they’re periods my husband doesn’t recall. After removing his feeding tube, I took on the responsibility of feeding him, a slow and painstaking process due to his lack of motivation. His sense of time was skewed, necessitating a strict sleep schedule. Touch became a source of discomfort, like a knife’s edge against his skin. His world seemed devoid of the sensations that usually bring joy, like the warmth of a sunny day or the cool relief of a breeze.

In the following months, his perception of hot and cold became conflated. He would wear a robe in summer, feeling both hot and cold simultaneously. We discovered that applying pressure to his skin could sometimes trick his brain into not feeling cold, leading him to often wear a hooded shirt even in warm weather. Before his stroke, we seldom needed air conditioning or heating in our Portland home, but post-stroke, finding a comfortable temperature became a constant challenge.

As someone who isn’t a medical professional, my understanding is based on observation and reading. I’ve noticed the brain’s remarkable ability to compensate and heal after such trauma. Before his stroke, my husband never enjoyed running, but now, it’s an activity that seems to aid his recovery. Nearly a decade into his journey, his abilities have been significantly improved, such as being able to cook independently.

I’ve decided to share our story and his progress in a journal form, hoping it might offer a glimmer of hope to others in similar situations. Ten years ago, when he first experienced his stroke, I was desperate for information and support. Seeing his recovery now, I believe our experience might resonate with others searching for hope and understanding in the face of such life-changing events.

 

Reference

Cleveland Clinic. (2022, March 16). Hypothalamus. Health Library. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22566-hypothalamus

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The Seamless Intersection of Learning and Play

In my years mentoring fresh university entrants, I consistently emphasize a crucial point: the world is rife with learning opportunities if only we recognize and embrace them. Strikingly, many individuals develop a somewhat adversarial relationship with the concept of learning. Such a stance can act as a bottleneck to the vast reservoir of knowledge awaiting them.

 

Case in point, my wife holds a perspective that’s worth pondering. In her eyes, any learning endeavor should be riddled with challenges and moments of unease. Consequently, when she indulges in activities that bring joy or relaxation, she labels them as sheer entertainment, pushing aside any educational merits they might hold. Her viewpoint is not isolated; many people fall into the trap of demarcating entertainment and learning into separate realms. In doing so, they overlook the profound intersections where learning can be fun and enlightening.

 

From my vantage point, games serve as a stellar example of tools that straddle the line between fun and education, thereby proving that learning isn’t exclusively reserved for rigorous, structured environments. Games, by their very nature, are playgrounds of application. A good part of our learning trajectory revolves around applying the knowledge we gather. This application is most effective when it’s done purposefully, following an initial exposure to the concerned topic.

 

Take card games, for instance. At first glance, they might seem like mere instruments of leisure. But delve a little deeper, and you’ll uncover a rich tapestry of lessons on probability. Now, it’s essential to note that merely engaging in countless rounds of card games won’t magically equip you with the prowess to solve intricate probability conundrums. However, couple your card-playing experience with a conscious effort to explore the realm of probability, and you might find yourself armed with pertinent questions, real-world examples, and a heightened curiosity. The secret sauce here is introspection. Reflecting upon the game, understanding its underlying mechanics, and drawing parallels to broader concepts can transform a simple card game into a fertile ground for learning.

 

This transformative power isn’t exclusive to card games; it applies to a myriad of experiences. Consider the act of watching a movie. It’s easy to view it as passive entertainment, a means to escape reality momentarily. But, shift gears and engage your cognitive faculties, and suddenly, that movie can metamorphose into a lecture hall, offering insights into storytelling, character development, cultural nuances, and even historical contexts.

 

In essence, every experience – be it playing a game, watching a film, or even taking a leisurely walk – holds the potential to be educational. It’s all about perspective and intent. The onus is on us to shake off predefined notions, look beyond the obvious, and weave learning into the very fabric of our daily lives. When we do, we not only enrich our understanding but also discover the joy of seeing the world as a boundless classroom.

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Title: Embracing Routine and Adaptation in Daily Life

This morning, I finally awoke at my designated time. I might finally be back on my planned sleep schedule. My wife and I also decided to turn on our furnace today. I usually wait until my wife suggests it or complains about the inside temperature since I know my temperature regulation is untrustworthy. I have a doctor’s appointment today, which will result in me skipping my run, but I’ll still be able to get everything else done. I usually schedule doctor’s appointments for Tuesdays or Thursdays to avoid losing a running day. Still, the doctor’s office had to reschedule, and today was the best option. We all just do what we can, and as long as we put in the effort and honestly attempt to do what we should, we should be satisfied.

 

Life often nudges us into routines, whether we embrace them willingly or not. My morning wake-up time has become a symbolic anchor of my daily life. Today, as I finally managed to rouse myself at the appointed hour, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. It’s a small victory, but it signifies that I might be back on track with my planned sleep schedule. There’s a comforting rhythm to adhering to a schedule and a rhythm that brings a sense of order to my day.

 

Speaking of order, today marks the day my wife and I decided to switch on our furnace. It’s a simple decision that usually hinges on my wife’s suggestion or her complaints about the indoor temperature. I’ve come to accept that my internal thermostat is unreliable. It’s a part of who I am, a reminder that we all have quirks and imperfections. But in the grand scheme, it’s a minor inconvenience, easily mitigated by a warm, cozy home during the colder months.

 

However, today is about more than just adjusting the thermostat or my sleep schedule. It’s also the day I have a doctor’s appointment. While this appointment necessitates skipping my usual morning run, I remain focused on accomplishing everything on my to-do list. It’s a juggling act, balancing our responsibilities and priorities.

 

I typically schedule my doctor’s appointments for Tuesdays or Thursdays to ensure they don’t disrupt my running routine. Running is not just a form of exercise for me; it’s a vital part of my well-being and mental clarity. But sometimes, life throws a curveball. Today’s appointment was rescheduled, and I had to adapt. It’s a reminder that we can’t always control the timing of every event in our lives. Flexibility and adaptability are qualities we should cultivate to navigate life’s unexpected twists and turns.

 

As I reflect on the day ahead, I’m reminded of a simple truth: we do what we can with our circumstances. Life doesn’t always adhere to our plans, and that’s okay. What matters most is the effort we put in and our honest attempt to do what we should. Satisfaction comes from knowing we’ve given our best, even when things are unplanned.

 

In conclusion, routines and adaptability are two sides of the same coin daily. We find comfort in the familiar routines we establish, like waking up at a designated time or adjusting the thermostat. Yet, life often challenges us with unexpected events, like rescheduled appointments, that require us to adapt. Ultimately, our satisfaction comes from our commitment to making an honest effort, no matter the circumstances. So, here’s to embracing routine while staying open to life’s surprises and challenges.

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Adapting to Life’s Unexpected Twists: Postponing a Friend’s Visit Due to COVID-19

Today was supposed to mark the beginning of my friend’s long-awaited visit, a day we had all been eagerly anticipating. However, life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs, and this time, it came in the form of my wife contracting COVID-19. It’s a situation that none of us could have foreseen, but we’re doing our best to adapt to the circumstances.

 

Thankfully, we discovered my wife’s infection before my friend embarked on his journey to visit us. It was a close call, and it left us with a difficult decision to make. After careful consideration and a heartfelt conversation with my friend, we came to the difficult but necessary conclusion that it would be best to postpone his visit for the time being. It wasn’t an easy choice, as we were all looking forward to spending time together, but safety had to come first.

 

In these trying times, flexibility has become a paramount virtue. The world we live in today is vastly different from what we once knew, and the unpredictability of the ongoing pandemic has taught us that we must be prepared to adapt our plans at a moment’s notice. It’s a lesson in resilience and the understanding that external factors beyond our control can swiftly intervene, altering the course of our lives.

 

While it’s disheartening to cancel my friend’s visit, I find solace that we still have much to be grateful for. My wife’s early diagnosis and isolation are crucial steps in her recovery, and we hope for her well-being. We are also thankful that we notified my friend before he began his journey, sparing him from potential exposure.

 

Moreover, there’s a silver lining even in these challenging circumstances. The prospect of my friend’s visit motivated us to embark on a thorough cleaning spree throughout our home. Neglected corners and dusty shelves received much-needed attention, resulting in a cleaner, more organized living space. It’s a reminder that even when plans don’t unfold as expected, there are still ways to find value and productivity.

 

As we navigate this new normal, we must focus on the positives and the opportunities that arise amidst adversity. My friend and I may not share the same physical space today. However, we can still connect through technology until a safer time for a visit presents itself. Maintaining our connections with loved ones has become more critical in a world that often feels uncertain.

 

In conclusion, today’s turn of events has reminded me of the importance of flexibility and adaptability in our lives. We must be prepared to pivot when necessary, and our ability to do so is a testament to our resilience. While we may be disappointed by the cancellation of my friend’s visit, we remain hopeful for my wife’s recovery and thankful for our precautions. In the end, the bonds we share and the moments we cherish genuinely matter, and those are worth waiting for, no matter the circumstances. So, for now, we’ll savor our tiramisu and look forward to a future when we can all be together once more.

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Breaking Routine for A Grand Adventure

Hello Dear Readers,

 

The atmosphere at my home is buzzing with excitement as tomorrow, Jon, a dear friend of mine, will drop by to spend a few wonderful days with us. And suppose that wasn’t thrilling enough, a week following his visit, my wife and I will embark on a much-anticipated vacation to the magnificent Grand Canyon.

 

As much as my heart leaps at these forthcoming events, they undeniably detract from my usual day-to-day activities. Such breaks, while refreshing, often mean that the regimen we’ve ardently built might face slight interruptions. And in my case, that pertains to my exercise routine and consistent blogging streak.

 

I’ve resolved to trim down my exercise commitments to make room for all the fun, laughter, and memories we’ll create. Instead of my full-blown workout, I’ll likely stick to pushups whenever I can squeeze in a moment amidst our activities. The other elements, like my daily planking sessions, will probably have to take a backseat until our return.

 

For the avid readers and followers of my blog, fret not! Although I might briefly hit the pause button on my regular posts, my creative mind will remain active. I’ve armed myself with a trusty notepad, which I intend to fill with fresh ideas and musings, ensuring a smooth transition back into my blogging rhythm once I’m back.

 

A point of contemplation for me has been the potential loss of my streaks. There’s my planking streak, which I’ve meticulously maintained, and the streak for my language lessons. I hope to continue the latter, as my phone, my loyal companion, will be right by my side. Yet, the unpredictability of vacations can sometimes surprise us.

 

However, here’s the perspective I’ve decided to embrace: While it’s true that I hold a particular pride in these streaks, the experiences, joys, and rejuvenation that this time off promises are unparalleled. So, if my streak counter resets, so be it. I’m ready to dive headfirst into the adventures awaiting us and pick up the pieces with renewed vigor.

 

And I remain unwavering in my determination for those wondering about my fitness goals. Despite the brief hiatus, I’m confident in achieving my annual target: 20 pullups, pullovers, pushups.

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Navigating My New Normal: Embracing Post-Stroke Clumsiness

Hello Dear Readers,

Life has a curious way of teaching us empathy and understanding. It’s often through our own experiences that we gain a deeper insight into others. After experiencing a stroke, one of the challenges I faced was an unexpected decrease in my dexterity, especially in my left hand. This unexpected turn of events forced me to grapple with a new clumsiness, unlike anything I had known before.

 

Before the stroke, I prided myself on my excellent balance and coordination. My hands were always sure and steady, effortlessly performing tasks. However, my left side became noticeably weaker post-stroke, with its response time not as quick as it used to be. This change surprised me, resulting in moments where I’d bump into objects or drop items. One incident that stands out vividly is an ordinary lunch at the hospital cafeteria. While attempting to take a sip from my drink, my left hand faltered, causing the drink to spill. It was a moment that was as puzzling as it was embarrassing.

 

These instances made me confront an unfamiliar reality. There was a pronounced disparity between what I anticipated I could do and what I was actually capable of. The once-taken-for-granted coordination became a daily challenge, requiring me to adjust and relearn. Thankfully, with persistence and rehabilitation, I started to bridge this gap over time. The gap between my anticipated abilities and my post-stroke realities gradually diminished.

 

Before this, I confess that my understanding and patience for those who might have been labeled as “clumsy” or “accident-prone” was limited. It’s not that I lacked compassion, but I lacked the lived experience. Now, with my own experiences of dropping things without apparent reason or unintentionally bumping into objects, I possess a newfound empathy for those facing coordination challenges.

 

In retrospect, it’s apparent that we often base our perceptions and judgments on our personal experiences. It takes a significant event or shift in our lives to broaden our understanding and allow us to see through another’s lens. For me, the aftermath of the stroke, with its challenges and revelations, became a significant event. It taught me the importance of patience, both with myself and others and highlighted the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

 

In embracing my new reality, I’ve learned to navigate through physical challenges and deepened my compassion and understanding for others. We all have our battles, seen or unseen, and it’s crucial to approach every individual with kindness and patience.

 

In closing, my message to all reading this is simple: Let us not wait for a transformative event to teach us empathy. Let’s embrace understanding and compassion as core tenets of our daily lives, making our world a little kinder, one interaction at a time.

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Refining My Measurement Strategy

Hello Dear Readers,

Upon reflecting on my recent self-measurement routine, I’ve concluded that some adjustments are in order. My original blueprint entailed a monthly self-measurement, but upon further inspection, I’ve recognized certain imperfections in that plan.

 

To be specific, there’s always a margin of error in measurements, especially if taken infrequently. Such errors, though minor, can accumulate over time and offer a skewed view. Therefore, the more frequently I collect data, the more accurate my averages will be, as they’ll iron out these tiny inconsistencies.

 

I’ve decided to transition to a weekly measurement schedule with this realization. Not only will this give me a more precise understanding of my progress, but it’ll also spread out the task, making each session less burdensome. However, rather than trying to measure my entire body in one go each week, I’ll distribute the task throughout the week.

 

Here’s the game plan: On every run day, I’ll measure two specific parts of my body. This structured approach ensures I don’t get overwhelmed by the task and can gradually become more adept at the process. As for Saturdays, they’ll be my catch-up days. Should I miss out on any measurements during the week, Saturdays will allow me to make up for it.

 

I believe that this revised approach strikes a harmonious balance. Each measuring session will be shorter, making it more manageable. Moreover, the regularity will enhance accuracy and aid in making the process second nature to me. The more frequently I measure, the more proficient I’ll become, reducing the likelihood of errors and increasing comfort with the process.

 

In the grand scheme, it’s always wise to reassess and adjust our strategies as we gather more insights. This updated measurement routine will serve me better, offering more accurate data and a smoother experience.

 

Thank you for joining me on this journey of self-awareness and continuous improvement.

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Adapting Our Diet After Health Setbacks: A Balance of Needs

Hello, dear readers,

 

My wife and I have faced our fair share of health challenges, and adjusting to each has taught us resilience, adaptability, and the art of finding balance. After I suffered a stroke and was diagnosed with kidney failure, the most immediate and profound change we faced was modifying our diet to fit the new restrictions and nutritional needs.

 

I have always taken pride in maintaining a relatively healthy diet. However, the foods I once thought were nourishing were suddenly unsuitable for my condition. The primary dietary culprit? Salt. Though I never had a penchant for it and rarely added it to my food post-cooking, this seemingly innocuous white crystal now had more prominence in my dietary considerations.

 

While salt was straightforward to identify and reduce, phosphorous was a different challenge. Unlike sodium, phosphorous content isn’t always itemized in products’ nutritional facts. Imagine my surprise when I learned that dark green veggies, generally synonymous with good health, were now off my list due to their high phosphorous content. Cow’s milk, another staple in many households, also joined the list of items to be consumed cautiously.

 

But why this sudden apprehension towards phosphorous? My layman’s understanding of biochemistry provided a somewhat concerning answer. High phosphorous concentrations in the blood can bind with calcium sourced from our bones. Over time, this process can pave the way for osteoporosis – a condition marked by fragile bones. With this knowledge, my wife and I embarked on an exhaustive online research mission. We sought to identify foods that would benefit me and those we’d be better off avoiding.

 

Adapting to these dietary changes felt like we were navigating a minefield. It’s akin to discovering you are allergic to an unspecified food group. It’s challenging, especially when an element like phosphorous is essential for life and can’t be wholly excluded from one’s diet.

 

A new challenge emerged as we diligently started eliminating sodium from our meals. My wife began experiencing symptoms of sodium deficiency. It was a poignant reminder that one size doesn’t fit all, especially regarding nutrition. We had to strike a meticulous balance – ensuring I had minimal sodium intake. At the same time, my wife received adequate amounts to remain healthy.

 

This experience has been enlightening, teaching us about the intricate nuances of food and nutrition. It’s a continuous journey of learning, unlearning, and relearning. But together, we have found a way to tread this dietary tightrope, supporting each other through every bite and every meal.

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The Art and Science of Homemade Kombucha: A Weekly Ritual

Hello, dear readers,

You know, self-assigned chores often require that extra push to get done. But guess what? I nailed it yesterday, completing my entire to-do list! And one of those tasks was bottling our weekly stash of kombucha for my wife and me. You can dive into our kombucha journey on my wife’s blog. Still, lately, I’ve been the one piloting the bottling operation now that we’ve got our system down to a T (pun intended).

Let me walk you through my Thursday-to-Saturday kombucha ritual. Thursday starts with a sterilization spree of the 8 bottles we’ll use. I fill them with water and add a teaspoon of detergent. These bottle buddies then hang out on the kitchen counter overnight. Come Friday evening, it’s tea time! I bring a half-gallon of water to a rolling boil and plop in 8 tea bags for steeping. Once it’s nice and flavorful, I stir in a cup of sugar. After it hits boiling point again, off goes the heat, and it’s left to cool down overnight.

Now, while the tea is brewing, I return to my sterilized bottles, rinse them, and line them up on the counter. They’re all set for their starring role on Saturday. Come the weekend, I fill each bottle with 6 ounces of our favorite juice blend from the store. Next, 10 ounces of fermented kombucha tea is poured in. I then do a quick SCOBY check (that’s Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast for the uninitiated), set aside a cup of the fermented tea, and clean the fermentation jar. Once it’s spic and span, in goes the cooled tea from the previous night. I add back the SCOBY and the saved cup of fermented tea, and voila! The jar returns to our storage room, where it’ll ferment in peace until next week.

Oh, the bottles? They also head to the storage room for a week of conditioning. Post that, it’s straight into the fridge they go, awaiting their moment of glory.

Getting the timing right for each of these steps took some doing, but I’ve got it down. A little pro tip I swear by is optimizing wait times. Identify those stages where you’re simply waiting around—like waiting for the water to boil. Use that time to knock off other tasks—like rinsing the bottles in my case. It’s multitasking without affecting the quality of any single task. You’ll find this especially useful in cooking, too. Ever notice how most recipes kick off with “Preheat the oven”? Yep, that’s optimization in action.

Till next time, folks! Stay fizzy.

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Running Through Rehab: How I Built a Consistent Running Habit

I’ve been running regularly for the past five years. I began my current running program when we still lived in Portland, Oregon. My wife and I had been walking nearly every day since I’d been released from rehabilitation, and I felt I had progressed enough to try running.

A few years before this, I had attempted to get into running but hadn’t committed to it, but I had learned about the couch to 5k running program (c25k). I had enough commitment to maintain my running schedule and found an app for my phone, which allowed me to import some of my music into this program.

 

Couch to 5K (C25K) Program

C25k fit me quite well; it starts relatively slow with short-run segments with walking segments between them. Each week, the run segments get longer and the walk segments shorter. After five weeks, I ran for the entire time, about 5 kilometers. I went through this program several times, and each time, it got easier, and I got faster.

 

Zombies, Run!

Then my wife heard about a running app that was gaining popularity at the time, Zombies, Run! It’s an app that uses game concepts to motivate running. It’s set during a zombie apocalypse, and you play a character helping a small settlement of survivors by running. During each mission, you collect or deliver items while randomly acquiring materials to build your settlement. I found it quite interesting, and motivated me to run more and more to find out what happens next in the story.

After running 5k three times per week for a year, I was ready to push myself more, and I found an extension program by the same group that made the c25k program, which smoothed the transition from 5k to 10k using the same concepts of increasing the duration of run segments and shortening the walk segments. Again, this worked well for me, and I was proud of being able to run 10k. I won’t say it was easy, but it was possible.

 

An Added Challenge

I kept with this as we moved to Nashville, Tennessee; however, this move added a challenge to overcome. The average climate in Nashville is quite different from Portland. It is quite a bit warmer in Nashville, and I needed to keep myself hydrated while running. Luckily, my habit of counting steps helped me figure out a schedule for sipping my sports drink.

I use the schedule every 400 steps; I pause for a few seconds and drink. Conveniently, I discovered that 400 steps is roughly half a kilometer for me.

Now equipped with a rehydration schedule, I ran 5k nearly every day. It took me a while to get used to the new environment. After running 5k at least three times per week for a year, I aimed to push myself further by increasing my run distance by a kilometer each month. During the first month, I ran three 5k per week, then gradually increased to three 6k per week, and eventually, I was able to run 10k three times per week. My goal was to improve my endurance and speed.

 

1 Month: 3 x 5K (to get used to running)

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.

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End: 3 x 10K

 

While I was faster at running 5k, I wasn’t as fast as I wanted to be, although I doubt I ever will be; however, as long as I’m getting better, I should be content with my progress. I repeated this sequence a couple more times and then set a new goal: I will run 35k per week for a year.

3x10k and 1x5k. Some weeks were harder than others, and I had to figure out how to balance my running schedule with other activities and impediments like weather.

 

I had to set up rules so every solution to a complication wasn’t ad hoc but part of a comprehensive plan. First, I made a goal statement: to run 35k per week. Then, I made a list of likely impediments, which included inclement weather and other obligations like birthday parties or doctor’s appointments. Scheduling appointments was easy since I set running days separate from appointment days.

 

The other complications were more brutal to balance, but I found that if I couldn’t juggle the days to fit my schedule, I could spread my anticipated missed days running over the other days so, instead of 3x10k + 1x5k, I could run 2x12k and an 11k. I was happy as long as I accomplished my primary goal of 35k.