INTRODUCTION
Like many people I thought I could abuse my body by eating what I wanted, when I wanted
and as much as I wanted. It is amazing how you can be so busy with life that you let life pass
you by. At one point I woke up and realized I weighed in at 335 pounds, so I dieted and
exercised my way to 225 pounds. A few years later I found myself back up to 365 pounds. I
again started exercising semi-regularly, cut out sodas and started eating healthier, but not
healthy. I dropped 80 pounds over the course of around a year. Then I had a stroke.
Talk about a life-changing wake-up call. The stroke affected my right side – speech,
chewing, bowels, loss of right arm and leg function, and many inner body functions. I felt
like my life was nothing more than surviving day to day, sleeping and eating. Using the
restroom, if I could make it in time, was like potty training all over again. I could only sit for
a short time before needing to lie down and could not fix my own meals or even get a glass
of water. Sleeping more than an hour at a time was a great blessing. As stubborn as I am, I
tried to push myself. Some things leave you helpless. No matter how much you try it is out
of your control. The simple fact is I had lost my strength, much of my movement and
essentially my freedom and independence.
Two years have gone by since the stroke occurred. I thank God for what I can do. I’ve
come a long way, but have further to go to make a full recovery.
When I was in the hospital I was informed that I was diabetic, had high cholesterol and high
blood pressure (208/120). They immediately put me on medication and quickly told me what
I should and shouldn’t eat. Interestingly, the meals they fed me didn’t match their advice.
After 5 days at the hospital, losing more abilities than when I arrived, they finally released
me over threats I would simply check myself out. My first visit with a doctor outside the
hospital, while writing slip after slip of prescription drugs, the doctor asked how I felt having
to take medications the rest of my life.
Shocked, I asked what he meant. He basically replied that it was unlikely I would ever
totally control my high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and that diabetes would be with
me for the rest of my life. I told him that he better get ready to start reducing my prescription
medications, because I wouldn’t be on them forever. I knew it was possible to overcome any
adversity. Eating properly and exercising to the best of my limited ability, I began to show
him that I was serious. I admit it was very slow going.
Ten months later I had the opportunity to participate in a stroke study at the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas with the Physical Therapy masters students. With their help, I was eating
well and walking 40 minutes twice a day. My bad cholesterol became a thing of the past, but
the high blood pressure and diabetes still plagued me and my good cholesterol was too low.
