Written January 3, 2025
Hello Dear Readers,
Regular catch-ups with friends are like a secret ingredient for staying sane and happy. My group of gaming buddies hails from my college days in Indiana, but since we’ve all scattered across different states, we now meet online. Thank goodness for technology! Not only can we video chat, but we can also play board games and other fun stuff virtually. Honestly, it’s way more convenient than coordinating in-person meetups back in the day.
That said, due to holidays, our gaming nights don’t happen on a rigid schedule. We’re all juggling family commitments, which take top priority. (Seriously, who has time to be consistent these days?) So, I’ve been patiently waiting for our next session to pop up on the calendar.
As luck would have it, my friends magically appeared online right after I published a blog yesterday! We managed to squeeze in a couple of games. Sure, we started later than usual, but we made it count and had a blast.
Playing games together has always been a big part of our connection. Even before my brain stroke, we’d hop online and compete or collaborate in all kinds of virtual adventures. After the stroke, my wife reached out to one of my friends and made sure I stayed in the loop. Why? Because her doctor said, gaming could be great for my brain recovery. Who knew all those hours holding a controller could be doctor-approved rehab?
Now, I can’t really measure my own progress (brains are tricky like that), but my wife swears she’s seen huge improvements. I’ll take her word for it—she’s got a sharp eye for details.
The stroke itself was no walk in the park. It led to two holes in my skull to drain blood—a traditional approach, thanks to my less-than-cooperative kidneys. That iron from the blood? Apparently, it’s like a kryptonite for your brain. The whole ordeal messed with my planning and execution skills, which is why gaming now doubles as both fun and functional. It helps sharpen those cognitive tools while giving me a reason to connect with my old crew.
Last night was extra satisfying because I’d already wrapped up most of my chores while waiting for the guys to log on. So even though we played a little late, I could head to bed guilt-free, knowing I’d earned that time to unwind.
Here’s to great friends, good games, and recovery disguised as fun. Who knew healing could be this entertaining?