I apologize for taking so long to update you – I certainly didn’t mean to let a whole week go by since my first post about Maeikisala’s stroke! I’ve had to accept that I have far more to do than time to do it, and am triaging the best I can.
For the last few days, Mae (my beloved life partner) has been doing inpatient rehabilitation at CarePartners, an excellent facility here in Asheville. She’s no longer hooked up to an IV or any monitoring machines, and is managing her blood pressure with oral meds. Her BP is still higher than we’d like, but thankfully no longer critical.
Some parts of her brain that were stunned by the stroke are coming back online. Her right arm was dead weight for over a week, but she can now squeeze my finger with her right hand – a big breakthrough! She still can’t use her right leg, but more feeling is returning by the day in her right leg and arm. Her speech and cognition are already strong, and are subtly improving by the day. She’s doing hours of daily therapy to reclaim her functionality.
Since I’m Maeikisala’s primary caregiver, I’m reading up on stroke. I’ve nearly finished listening to an authoritative stroke book for laypeople, Stronger After Stroke, Third Edition: Your Roadmap to Recovery by Peter G. Levine. I’m also reading what some call the “stroke bible,” Hope After Stroke for Caregivers and Survivors: The Holistic Guide To Getting Your Life Back, by Tsgoyna Tanzman. I’m learning a tremendous amount that should help speed her recovery.
Maeikisala is maintaining a fundamentally positive attitude, even in the face of some challenging circumstances. She hasn’t had a good night’s sleep since the stroke, and fatigue is catching up with her. (We’re going to try melatonin to help her sleep.) She’s also coming to grips with an unpleasant reality of stroke recovery: everything now takes twice as much effort, and has to be accomplished with a lot less muscle strength.
As for me, I’m doing surprisingly well. Most notably, out of the blue a few days ago, I got a significant consciousness upgrade. My human and spirit selves are more fully merged, and I have a wonderful new vitality thrumming through my body.
Maybe this upgrade was needed so I could handle everything that’s happening. Or maybe spirit is just getting me in the ballpark of Maeikisala’s new post-stroke awakening! In any event, my experience is in line with something I’ve observed in my clients: the greater the challenge, the greater the potential breakthrough can be on the other side.
As I mentioned in the first post, we’re profoundly grateful for the support of our “tribe”. In addition to their ongoing prayer support, they’re giving Mae healing foods, herbal medicines and supportive visits. They’ve also expressed their willingness to support her after she returns home, when their in-person help will become more crucial than ever. Post-stroke recovery is no joke, and can require hours of repetitive exercises every day for months on end.
But we also know that your energetic support can help shorten that process. We’re so grateful to all of you who’ve been holding Maeikisala in your prayers. If you’re willing, please imagine Mae as completely able-bodied: easily walking, driving, gardening and exercising … with a jaunty spring in her step! For extra karma points, see her blood pressure reading as 120/80, with no meds required … and imagine her looking and feeling great at her optimal body weight.
This isn’t the Christmas Maeikisala and I were expecting. But we’re 100% committed to this adventure, and deeply appreciating the unexpected gifts this new journey is bringing. Thanks again for your healing prayers. We wish you an awesome holiday season and an amazing 2020!
Blessing to you all. Surrounding you with love. Candles continue to Bburn for Healing and Prosperity. Happy Holidays!
~Alchemy♡
Very happy and priledged to continue holding you both in the best and highest healing! Thank you both for continuing being fine wayshowers! Nicky
Sending the Violet Flame Reiki daily. Love and hugs to both of you! ????❤️????
I am so sorry to hear of this, I did not see the original notice. My husband had a stroke Thanksgiving night 2018. We were advised to have very frequent acupuncture treatments. We walked into our acupuncture doctor’s office after he was discharged- turns out she specializes in stroke, did her master thesis in acupuncture for stroke recovery. Perhaps this is something you might want to look into. There is a documentary about this- “9000 needles” which chronicles a weight lifters very devastating stroke & treatment. We have seen a great improvement in my husband Bob’s residual effects from the stroke. It’s a lot of fun to make your neurologist jump up & down with joy when his patient improves! I will certainly see Mae at her best for her, this is very powerful medicine to “see” someone well. It sounds like you have very good support & therapy is VERY important. I send my love to you both.
The first ninety to 120 days post a neurological trauma such as she suffered are the best time to act for recuperation and neurological healing and repairing. Square into a trine, she wants to pull through this, and she is strong, In her wish and will. Seasonal and solstice blessings. The light is waxing , she is tough
Thank you very much for this update on Maeikisala. Wow! She’s making a good recovery.. I’ve nursed two stroke victims myself and know the commitment it requires, so thank you, Benjamin, for your devotion to it and your spirit. Note that as the feeling returns to the weakened limbs, much pain can be sensed which can manifest as extreme crankiness and meaness. Just recognize that for what it is (part of the healing process) and gently persist with your therapy. It takes a lot of communication with those parts to waken them back up to life.
All the best to both of you. You’re in my prayers.
Sally Shube
So sorry to hear about the stroke. Just want to wish you a speedy recovery. ?
Sending you both continued prayers for your journey. Glad to hear the update. Love
Dearest Benjamin and Mae
Perfect love and powerful healing surround you in an awesome transformative renewal process . Love Vivien, Perth Western Australia
You both are In my prayers. Love your readings. Perseverance furthers. Love James Middleton
Seeing you dancing together with joy!
Sending lots of love!
beautiful Benjamin, i am holding you and Mae in my prayers as suggested by you
with so much love and grace and joy. Thank you for taking the time to keep us updated. Infinite Blessings
My sincere and loving best wishes for Mae’s steady and strong recovery and a solution for calming the blood pressure.Prayers for you both. Your serving is so appreciated.
Dear Benjamin
I’m sorry to hear about your partner Maeikisala’s stroke.
I will use the invocation I have learned from you and I used a lot for my loved ones when they were not well , to send her positive energy:
“Spirit that I am please flow the light through me to serve Maeikisala’s highest good
starting now Thank you ”
Best Wishes
Casimir
Much love to you both
Sending warm positive thoughts and prayers to you and Mae.
Very Very happy she is doing much better and will continue to full recovery.
I continue to pray for you both and expect full recovery for her and you the strength to see her through this challenging time.
Hotep Divine Peace Healing to both of you during this journey of divine peace, love, and joy connectors universal consciousness…
Hello Benjamin—please consider: Healing the Broken Brain by Mike Dow and My Stroke of Insight by Jill Taylor. How fortunate you and Mae are to have each other. Sending you both love and ever-pulsing light.
Dear Benjamin and Mae,
Life is a very precious gift in your hands and hearts.. You are soulful and strong. Know you will be well again and your strength will return soon. Thank you for allowing all of us to share so much of your inspired life together.
Benjamin and Maeikisala,
I am so glad to hear Mae is recovering so well. A very positive sign. It’s wonderful to hear that you will use options from the proverbial “both sides of the fence.” Blending conventional medicine techniques with alternative healing is SO POWERFUL. Maeikisala will make a full recovery. She already looks fabulous. It will take some effort before she is ready for a half marathon, but I know you are both very determined individuals. A dynamic duo! She will be Mae 2.0 before you know it, and I think you will be Benjamin 7.0 (or so…). Sending you God’s loves as you embark on your journey as a care provider. Sorry for the delayed response, but with the holidays, I didn’t see this! Much love, Marianne