Dear Readers,

On November 30, I had a stroke!

Strokes are the pits.  In my case, it was related to a prescription that interacted with the coumadin that I had taken uneventfully for many (12) years for my atrial fibrillation.  It caused me a week's stay in the coronary intensive care ward of a hospital and then another week as an inpatient at a rehab hospital learning to walk again.  

On the plus side, the consensus of my doctors is that I can expect a 90-100% recovery.  However, no one is able to say whether that will take two months or six or nine.  Progress has been excellent.

Two weeks ago (this is written January 1, 2014), I was not allowed to stand up unless I had a walker next to me, a grab belt around my chest, and a therapist to assist me.  A week ago, I started walking unassisted around the house.  On December 30th and 31st, I returned to work (I'm a dentist).  My hands work fine and the main issue for me is balance in walking. Those were long days.  I hit the wall about 3pm on the first day.  My endurance is gone with exertion.  Nonetheless, it is great to be working.  My improvement is noticeable and visible every day.  

Photography?  I'll be back at it in two months or so.  This blog?  I ask for your patience.  This is an adventure where I don't know how everything turns out.  

Until then, here are some pics from my last event.  These are from the Kansas 6A football championship.  My first hint of trouble was when my walk into the stadium was with a slight limp.  At first I thought it was due to a tweak of my left knee.  Wrong.  Big trouble was on the way.  

BTW, that thing you always wanted to do?  Get it done.  Now.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  

Phil Zivnuska