Gerald W. McFarland

                                                  STROKES ARE VERY CHALLENGING 
In late September, Willie, our housemate of forty years, now age ninety-one, had a fairly severe stroke that left her right side--face, hand, leg--badly impaired.  After she had a brief hospital stay and two weeks of intense therapy at a rehab facillity, we decided that her continued recovery would be best served by bringing her home.  It was, we believe, the best course of action, even though the first couple of weeks here at home left Dorothy and me exhausted because Willie needed contant help day and night with nearly everything.  Three months later, the situation has stabilized somewhat and Willie is capable of some self-care.  With the help of sessions with Visiting Nurses twice a week and coaching from us, she has regained  the ability to use her right hand to write, can move around adeptly in a wheelchair at night and a walker during the day.  She's beginning to learn how to walk with a cane.  We've been able to take some outings to see her MD and to get a Covid shot (Covid is running rampant in Western Massachusetts since the holidays) at her pharmacy.  She loves playing balloon tennis (batting an inflated balloon back and forth with a racquet, a good balance exercise). She has a long way to go, and it's not at all certain how much she will have recovered by six months post-stroke.  Our lives have been largely Willie centered for months now and probably will remain at least somewhat so for the foreseeable future.  Wish us luck.  We welcome your prayers.