where i've been

[Veronica]

How scary! I had Bell's Palsy in my early 20s and I thought it was a stroke. I nearly flipped out. You have such a great attitude and determination. You go girl! We'll be seeing you back on your bike.


Veronica

[gilly]

I don't know what to say!
You're courage and strength of character is just so amazing. You deserve to get well, be well, and be as strong in body as you are in mind and soul It is so lovely that your determination to be well again is supported so wholeheartedly by your family.
So, although I was/am saddened to read of your stroke, I am also heartened by your attitude.

To date, I have been quite fortunate in my life, and whilst I hope that long may continue, I do hope that should I or one of mine fall to some misfortune, I can muster as much strength and courage as you girls here.

Gilly
x

[Surlygirl]

Hi Karen, I am so sorry to hear about your stroke. I'm so glad you have the great support of your family. If you need anything I'm a short, hop ,skip, and a jump away. How about I get all the new bike catalogs I can find, drive up and pick you up and take you out for lunch at the Sole Prop and we can drool over bike stuff. Or we can poke around in bike alley and look at pretty bikes.
Give me a shout.
Warmest wishes
Jody

[Crankin]

I hope you are well on your way to a successful recovery. I would like to help in your rehab by joining you and Surly when you are drooling over bike catalogs..... The one time we tried to go to the Sole Prop. there was power failure!
Keep us posted on your progress.

Robyn

[massbikebabe]

Oh my God...the Sole is my absolute FAVORITE!!!! Would love to join you all there one of these days!! We should connor Denise and News and make a MA.
TE Day! Wouldn't that be fun???

Thanks to all of TE for your kind words and encouragement. When I first got sick I avoided coming over because I knew I could not ride. Now I come over to read your stories and live your accomplishments on the bike!! I made my PT and neurologist very aware that I am getting on my bike again in the spring...come hell or high water!!

Jody and Sadie, sorry I haven't gotten back to your mail...I will I promise.
I am typing with only one hand right now and that is a HUGE drag...hence my delay. I am getting a splint this week that should help me back to the keyboard!

karen

[DeniseGoldberg]

Oh my God...the Sole is my absolute FAVORITE!!!! Would love to join you all there one of these days!! We should connor Denise and News and make a MA.
TE Day! Wouldn't that be fun???

Hey - definitely count me in.
--- Denise

[bikerchick68]

what amazing spirit you have... I an in awe of your wonderful and strong outlook and determination. It's really inspirational to hear you taking life by the horns and facing this challenge head on. I have no doubt that you'll be riding again...

I truly look forward to hearing your updates...and wish I could be there for your return ride... let us know when it happens and though I won't be there physically, I will definitely be there in spirit...

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Karen... the determination and grit on this board never ceases to amaze me

Wishing you a speedy recovery and increasing good health

[TrekJeni]

Wishing you a speedy recovery and hope there aren't anymore curveballs in your future for awhile.
Jeni

[Selkie]

Karen - I'm so sorry to hear about your stroke. They say that attitude plays a big role in healing, so keep thinking positively. I'll be sending lots of good karma your way!! Keep us updated on your progress, ok?

[Yasmin]

All power to you Karen. My husband is a neurosurgeon who specialises in vascular work i.e aneurysms & strokes etc. I know what a challenge this is. I have also seen some remarkable recoveries. Your family have rallied around you & you sound so positive. You're 90% there already. Time really does make a vast difference in this instance. You are an inspiration & I wish you well.

[margo49]

Yeah, I agree. After breast cancer (2 surgeries and 6 months of chemo) and a near-death-by-squashing tractor accident I can say mentality is the No.1 thing . And everybody wants to support you if *you* make that first effort of showing that you aren't going to be beaten by "it" (whatever - illness, injury,crisis). People *want* to be part of the battle of a battler. So everybody wins and you can't tell who's helping who after a while!
Thoughts and prayers your way

[crazycanuck]

Hey massbike.

It's good to see you determined to get back the mobility you want. My dear's father had a stroke a few years ago-almost the same type as yourself i think-He can't walk very fast but he does 2hr walks in the Redwoods (forest in Rotorua...) with his cane. He leads a stroke group & jokes about running another marathon.

With your determination you'll get that strength back!!! Do whatever you can, (is there a rehab pool?)within your limits.

Take care

c

[wabisabi]

It may be that your prior level of fitness will help you, I hope so, sending energy your wy.