Stroke

It's mostly had to understand or accept that getting older would not only affect you physically, but also on a neurological level affect your physical ability and also affect the mental processes. 

Hearing that someone has had a stroke typically and usually entails catastrophic negative affects on their life. 

There's always exceptions to the normal. I have been extremely fortunate to be one of those exceptions. 
I had two strokes within 6 days due to a plaque blockage in a artery in my neck. The first one only slightly affected peripheral vision in my right eye, which will probably be permanent. The second one affected my motor skills in my left arm / hand... which faded away within 24 hours. A surgical procedure... CEA was performed to removed the blockbuster to prevent future damage.  I'm currently in recovery.

No changes to my mental processes or my sense of humor. No memory issues.  Very fortunate indeed.

Of course recovery in itself makes you feel that most things are not worth the trouble to do or even be concerned over. Too much bother.  Even some simple things like going outside to enjoy nature, or listening to music falls to the wayside. I want to get back to it, but right now,  just interested in getting better.  Wanting to be quietly left alone, yet wanting concern from others. 

Tired of sitting, tired of sleeping,  tired of doing nothing. But this too shall pass, just not quickly enough. 
 
Virtually no pain from the CEA surgery, but lots of continued swelling and bruising. The mirror is not my friend. My neck looks like a Frankenstein mistake.

Thank goodness I have all my mental functions.

If I lost them,  or lost my sense of humor... I would have truly lost myself. Thankful my eyes were basically spared damage. 

So,  the waiting game of recovery continues. Today is 4 days past surgery. 14 days past first stroke, 8 days past second stroke. So, I guess I'm doing pretty good.

Surprised that early detection could not have prevented these strokes. But that's the nature of "clinic" health care... dealing with health issues after they happen more so than prevention. Insurance doesn't want what they consider unnecessary charges for prevention that might not lead to anything. Then as health insurance goes... less expenses on prevention is a best practice verses possible payouts later.

Besides, some will die ending insurance liability forever, money saved on prevention. Its the nature of insurance health care. 

I'm not sure what is more amazing.

Modern medicine to solve health issues... verses... the human bodies ability to endure & recover from health issues.