Rabbi Rosenblum picked me up in his van
to go to the Oval.
It's still awkward stepping up to get
in this van. I have to reach over with
my left arm to pull the door shut.
Darn, there goes my water bottle.
It rolled under the van. Happens
every time.
"I'll back up, so you can get your
water bottle."
I am lucky to have such a kind and patient
friend.
I retrieved my water bottle, got back in the
van and slammed the door shut using my
left hand.
" How are you Rabbi Rosenblum?"
"Baruch Hashem! (Thank GOD!) How
are you?"
"Great! I am back on my Thyroid replacement
medicine just in time.
I couldn't have handled
one more day without it.
I was beyond fatigued.
Way beyond fatigued.
It was embarrassing. On Tuesday I was running
with the 'teenage boys' through Frick Park.
They chose an extra long route. I'm estimating
five or six miles with lots of steep hills.
I couldn't keep up.
I felt like I was running in
slow motion through gel.
My body wanted to
move, but it couldn't.
The boys would be about
a half mile ahead.
They would stop, wait for me
and then start running again.
So much for leading by example.
Like it says on my water bottle,
OK right hand, you and I are going to have a talk.
Look, I don't care if your left hand friend has to
button my shirts, tie my shoes, or help you
handwrite.
I just want you to get back to work lifting
weights like you used to. I'm a personal trainer
and I need two strong hands.
Get it? I need you righty.
One of the main things that motivated me to
jump out of bed in the hospital was the seven
letter word P u r p o s e. I don't want to live
like a vegetable broccoli.
My 'Work' is purposeful!
(Unless they're engaged in corrupt criminal
activity) Everyone's work is purposeful.
I don't get the concept 'planning for retirement.'
Sounds worse than Graves' disease to me.
Retire, then expire, or be part of the living
dead. Sounds pretty spooky to me.
Work gives Meaning!
The Lubavitcher Rebbe said,
"There is no such thing as retiring. Situations may
arise in life that necessitate changes, and one must
then make the appropriate adjustments.
But retirement, never!"
You hear that right hand, arm and shoulder?
Let's get to work!
Disclaimer: Consult Your Medical TeamCaution: Do Not Use Me As An Example of What
You Should Do For Yourself!
We all have unique backgrounds and medical situations.
What applies to me does not apply to you! In my opinion,
we should try to be informed as much as possible so that we
can be good advocates for ourselves and make wise decisions.
My role is to point you to information sources which may be helpful.
My main mission is to provide hope and inspiration!
"C'mon Marsha, let's go for a date walk, how about
Summerset ?"
" OK ."
" Marsha, How was you're day?"
"Busy, but good . How about you?"
" I have a lot I want to talk to you about.
Before I do is there anything you want
share?"
" No, go ahead what do you want to talk
to me about?"
"All those medications I'm taking were
a Blessing. They stabilized me when my
system was all 'wacked' out.
But, now they are a curse, slowing me down
and making my mind 'wacked out.'
And you've read the side effects of all that
'dope.'
Let's say I made a big pond in our backyard...
"Rick, don't even think about it. We are Not going
to have a pond in our backyard. It would be
dangerous for our grandkids and other children
for that matter. "
"Marsha, don't worry. I am not really going to make
a pond in our back yard. I am just trying to give
you an example. So, chill. This is just a hypothetical
example."
"OK, what's the example?"
"Let's say Mr. Smith had a fish pond in his backyard.
A big fish pond stocked with Koi.
And I crushed up all my medications and fed Mr. Smith's
fish. Why would Mr. Smith Not be happy with me?
Because that would kill his fish. They'd be dead. Floating
belly up!
And what do you think the active ingredient was in that
rat poison our neighbor down the block used to kill
the rat that got into their house?
Warafin is the main active ingredient in rat
poison. Remember, they had to rip their wall out because
the rat slowly bled to death and hid behind the wall?
Remember the time I was rear ended and my head went through
the windshield?
If I would have been on Coumadin, I would have bled to death,
just like the rat.
Lifestyle, is the solution now for my heart, blood pressure, cholesterol.
It boils down to five things: 1. Spiritual. 2. Mental. 3. Nutrition. 4. Strength
Training. 5. Cardio.
The American Council On Exercise says, "Exercise is a medical necessity."
I can put together a plan for the spiritual, mental, and exercise.
I need your help with the nutrition.
I ordered a bunch of books. You like to read.
Will you help put together a nutrition plan?"
Disclaimer: Consult Your Medical TeamCaution: Do Not Use Me As An Example of What
You Should Do For Yourself!
We all have unique backgrounds and medical situations.
What applies to me does not apply to you! In my opinion,
we should try to be informed as much as possible so that we
can be good advocates for ourselves and make wise decisions.
My role is to point you to information sources which may be helpful.
My main mission is to provide hope and inspiration!
Gradually over eight months I weened myself
off all of my medications except my Thyroid
Replacement supplement.
My wife and I did a lot of research. Our nutrition
plan was very well thought out.
My warning advice to you is Don't Go Off Your
Medications without first consulting a Complimentary
Physician and then cross checking with other
Medical Professionals to determine if it's best for you.
This is a very dangerous risky thing to do and it's
complicated.
I am Not A Medical Professional. I am just sharing my
story and what I did. Just because I did it doesn't
mean you should do it.
One other piece of advice.If you are taking medications,
make sure your organized.
If you've had a stroke or brain injury it's normal to get
confused easily. I know I was.
You may need professional assistance to organize a system
for you so you don't get mixed up.
It's important to comply exactly with your medications.
I saw, for example, a stroke patient taking his
wife's psychotropic drugs. Not a good thing.
Sorry, for the little lecture.
I first, weened myself off every medication except for
the Warfarin and my Thyroid replacement over a two week period.
It took a lot of courage to go off the Warfarin.
I was warned repeatedly by medical professionals
not to do this. I weighed the risks and rewards.
There was No doubt in my mind.
Get off that rat poison!
But, I didn't do it until My complete treatment plan
was in place: 1. Spiritual. 2. Mental. 3. Nutrition.
4. Strength Training. 5. Cardio.
My nutrition plan consisted of one huge shake
with sixteen food ingredients and four vitamin
supplements plus one 'regular meal' of three foods.
The first reaction everyone has when they see my
shake is YUK! Second reaction is YUK!
You get the idea.
To me it's just medicine.
I know this may sound strange;
Having a stroke was one of the
greatest gifts I ever got.
I quickly developed a whole
new wisdom.
It's challenges became opportunities.
What matters most became more
apparent to me.
My date walks with my wife are more
special now.
"Marsha, isn't it beautiful in this park?
Look at those trees. See the Blue Jay?"
"Where?"
"Up there. See it?"
" Yes, beautiful."
"Love You!"
"Love you too!"
My daughter and grandkids were sitting
with me at a picnic table in the park
eating lunch.
I could feel their loving warmth.
I looked up at the Oak tree. The sun
light was shimmering through the
yellow green leaves in a glorious way.
" Baruch HaShem! ( Thank God!)
What a gorgeous 'painting!'
I wish I could keep this moment forever."
"Love You dad!"
"Love You Adina!"
Benji, Dena and their boys came to visit.
Us guys walked on the new Frick Trail
below Summerset.
We went across the rusty iron bridge
and saw a huge garden snake.
I'm telling you that thing was big.
We went down to the river and saw
ducks. There were real railroad cars
on the trail.
"I gave Benji a big hug."
" Love You Dad!"
"Love You Benji!"
Meir and Susie came to visit.
They helped me staple clear plastic
over the side wall of my Sukkah.
(Temporary booth.)
" I can't believe it's almost Sukkot.
Thank you so much for helping me.
I still don't have the strength and
coordination to do this. I really
appreciate it."
I gave Meir a hug.
"Love You! So glad you came to visit."
"Love You Dad!"
"Marsha, Thank GOD it really worked.
Two days after I went off most of my meds
(except for Thyroid and Warfarin)
I felt stronger and more energetic.
I feel cognitively 'put back together."
I don't have bubbles clanging around
in my head now.
My rehab treatment plan got results!
Spiritually I'm learning more. I am grateful
for all the love I receive from you and the rest
of our family. It's a big thing. Not everyone has
that. Thank You!
"You're welcome. Love you!"
"Love you to!"
I always loved nature,
now my love for nature is even greater.
I think I'm almost strong
enough to do acts of kindness for others.
Mentally I focus on my breathing and the
positive affirmation, 'I am healthy and strong.'
Laughing really helps too.
Nutritionally I feel stronger right away
after I drink my yucky shake."
I can feel those nutrients going
straight into my blood stream
and muscles. Makes me feel
'Pumped Up!'
I started doing my advanced
strength training routine.
One muscle group a day five
days a week. I use imagery
to imagine my nerves reconnecting.
"My body is starting to look
good like it used to. Don't you
think?"
"Yes you're looking good."
"Here feel my crippled biceps now."
"Yes, impressive."
I am doing a half hour of intense sprinting
four to five days a week plus one hour of
moderate walking six days a week.
Our date walks get counted in there.
"Marsha, as much as I hate driving, I'm ready
to start driving again. Adina is going to need me
to pick up the kids from school."
" I'm not sure if you're ready. I'll ask Adina's
opinion."
"Marsha, let's go to Summerset to do
my drivers test. There's never anyone
around there. I think it's inhabited by
..." I lunged at Marsha's arm.
"Aliens!"
She jumped and hit my arm.
"Don't do that!"
"Ha, ha, ha. Oh that's funny"
We both started laughing.
"Marsha, I'm still traumatized from
my car accident. It's a miracle no one
was killed."
"I know. Thank GOD no one was hurt!"
"Marsha, here's how I'll do this.
I will say out loud each action:
Turn on ignition.
Turn on lights,
Parking brake off.
Put in drive.
Press on accelerator.
Kiss my wife.
"Pay attention to your driving!"
"Oh, that's funny. Yes Mam. I
will pay attention to my driving
Mam."
Coming to a stop sign.
Stop!
Look both ways.
No space ships.
Go!
"Enough! It's getting annoying.
Just drive without the sound effects."
