Walking

 Rick has been a bit lazy since he has not had any therapies. So I decided to make him walk the length of our driveway.

He did that for two days and then around the property and boy, it's then nap time. It makes me chuckle. But I know he needs to do that too. I hear them in my head telling me about Stroke Fatigue.

Sunday, he said he was ready to venture outside the house. He wanted to go to the grocery store with me. 

Okay, I said, "but are you sure you can walk this?"

He was insistent that he could. He and his walking stick.

I dropped him off at the storefront so he didn't have to walk from the end of the parking lot too. By the time I parked and entered the store, he was already done with the aisles of produce. He had his walking stick on the cart and he was just leaning on the cart. I didn't want to make a big deal but it was a big deal. He felt comfortable enough to not use the walking stick. He has been doing that a great deal in the last couple of days. Hmm...

We meandered through the store and there were a few times when he felt he was too slow for the people behind him. I noticed he would move all the way to the right side of the aisle and let others pass. 

He said he wished he had a shirt or something to say, "I move slowly, just had a stroke, feel free to pass me"

That made me laugh but I could see how that would make him feel better.

When we got to the ice cream department he had to stop. 

He asked me to stay by the cart. I said, "Okay, but don't you need your stick?"  

No, watch me he says, with his shit-eating grin. And I did watch him. 

He walked to the freezer section, opened it up, and grabbed what he was looking for, Tillamook Vanilla Bean, and he walked back to the cart with no problem. I was again impressed. No limp, no walking stick, just a walk.

He got the cart into the checkout line and we were done. 

When we got to the door I suggested he stay there and he said, "Oh good" as he leaned against the wall of the storefront outside. 

I went and loaded up the car and fetched My Big Guy. 

I saw a young man who was tall with long gorgeous braids, not dreads, who was talking to Rick. I saw him as I pulled out of the parking space. 

Was he selling something?  Gee, he is a cute young thing. 

Rick later told me that is what he thought too when he approached him that he must be selling something.

Rick said, "The young man walked over to me and told me he was in the medical field and asked me if I needed some help because I appeared a bit wobbly?" 

Rick said, "I just had a stroke in May so yes I am wobbly but I'm okay. Thank you so much for asking."  

Rick put out his hand to shake this young man's hand and to thank him for his concern. Rick told him that was the nicest thing a stranger had done for him. 

As I pulled up, the young man said he was just glad he was okay. 

I jumped out to help Rick into the car but this young man was doing it already.  Rick really doesn't need help, but it takes him more time than it does for you and me. I also like to stand by him as I was taught in his rehab should he lose his balance and that is what the young man was doing as well because he was helping Rick before I even got to that side of the car. As he shut the door we both yelled another, "Thank you!" and waved goodbye.

We talked about that on the way home. How damn nice was that? How often do you see a young man helping an old fart? Not as often as I'd like to think happens. But sure glad we got to witness this act of kindness.

All in all, it was a good day. Rick was walking around the grocery store and by the time he got home it was nap time. I was putting the groceries away when he said, "Sorry babe, I gotta sit down"  That was it. Into his ugly chair and he was out like a light.  

Rick was out and about and moving. It was all good. Baby steps. 

He was animated and funny. The check-out kid asked him something and Rick answered him. The kid looked confused. 

Rick said, "I just had a stroke, it's hard to understand me"  

The kid said, "No, I think I understood you but it didn't match what I asked."

Rick chuckles and says, "Ask me again"

The cashier said, "Did you want these onions in a separate bag?" as he is holding up the onions already in a net bag. 

Rick's original answer was no I don't need cash back. (not even close!)

So upon hearing it correctly Rick and I both begin to laugh and Rick says, "Okay my stroke did not affect my hearing that was bad before the stroke. And No, I don't want cash back and yes, I want my onions in a grocery bag please." 

Thankfully the young man laughed a lot and said okay. 

Then we heard about his grandfather's hearing mishaps that make the family laugh. 

Whew, he wasn't making fun of Rick, which is Rick's fear, but just being kind and sociable.

Rick is getting more comfortable to be in public speaking. To me he is only hard to understand when he's tired. But I'm sure to others they may not find it as easy as me since I'm used to his speech since the stroke.

Eating is another story. He is not ready to eat out in public yet. He still has some numbness on the left side of his mouth and cheek. Small area but enough that if he has food on the left side of his lip he doesn't feel it. He can have food hanging out of his mouth and not know it. We have come to an agreement on how he wishes to handle this. 

I hate being a mom and saying, "Wipe your mouth"

Truth be told he doesn't like hearing it either but knows it is necessary.

He has gotten far better in the last two weeks it's amazing, but he still has an issue from time to time. 

So now I just say, "Rick" and he looks at me as I touch my mouth. Or I say nothing and if he looks at me I touch my mouth. He then knows.  Yesterday eating a salad was a wild ride for him. Thank Goodness his humor is intact because that was crazy. Lettuce hanging from his mouth. He said, "If I dare go out in public to eat, no salad!"  Yes, I see that.

But that is a task for another day. 

He is walking far more now and so much better! 

This next week is a lot of therapies so I see a lot of naps in his future. 

But it's all good today. 

I am stopping on this high note.😁