Spiritsong Stroke Recovery Update

My dear friend Spiritsong recently had a stroke. I’ve been keeping my readers posted in my newsletter, but this is the only update I’ve put here on my website.

Many of my long-term followers know Spiritsong from her guest posts and her appearances on my podcast. Spiritsong has been my dear friend for almost 20 years, and was my romantic partner for 7 years.

(As long as we’re discussing stroke recovery, what about Maeikisala? She just hit her 6-month “strokiversary”, is making slow, steady improvement, and remains grateful for the prayers and energetic support that so many continue to send.)

Here’s what Spiritsong texted me on 6/14, including her prayer request. With her permission, I’ve done some light editing for length and clarity.

Benjamin, I would so like to thank you and the folks on your newsletter list who have been supporting me with their prayers and love. I know it’s made such a huge difference for me.

I left CarePartners rehabilitation facility after 11 days of care, and am working towards independence. I’ve felt deep gratitude this past week for so many things I can do that aren’t typical after a stroke. I also accept that this journey can’t be hurried.

My children all felt strongly that I should stay with one of them, until we all feel confident that I’m out of danger from choking or falling. I agreed to stay with my daughter Carol for the current chapter in this new adventure!

I’m now temporarily settled into Carol’s home, in the most peaceful setting. I’m being honored and cared for in the most loving way by family. I’m learning to be okay with receiving much and giving in the limited way that I can, and feeling like it’s enough. I’m enough just the way I am.

In this incarnation I’ve always managed to be a bit different, and this stroke is no exception. One example is that the left side of my face and head sweat profusely, while the right side of my face and head are dry as a bone at the same time. When I cry, not one tear comes out of my right eye!

Pain in the form of nerve sensitivity is one of my biggest challenges. I have neuropathy in both my hands and my feet. This extreme nerve sensitivity all over my body is on the left side only, but intense enough to bring the tears sometimes … but only on the left side, lol.

Laughter is one thing that I’ve been able to use to help mitigate some of the pain and make the journey easier. I thank you and Maeikisala for our hilarious laughter earlier today. It truly helps!

If I could request specific healing energy to go to me: I would be grateful to once again walk with grace and ease, rather than like a wobbly drunken sailor! I would also ask for folks to hold the vision of me in a state of ease, with a pain-free body, and swallowing my food 100% of the time. (I’ve improved to about 90%.)

I feel like I’m in  s l o w   m o t i o n  most of the time. The gift in this is allowing myself to take in those things I might have missed. I can miss so much when I’m always jumping into the next task and rushing to get everything done.

As I close, here’s a little experiment for those who wish to receive this gift with me. See what it feels like if you can let go of the intense energy of moving towards the next important thing you have programmed for yourself in your day. Allow some moments in between each task, or even within each task, to soak in something of beauty around you. You’ll be glad you did!