As many of you know I had two Annie's in 2004 coiled & clipped. Before and after surgery I experienced right side weakness but it turned out I had a stroke a month after the last surgery. I was left with disabilities that included foot drop/face,arm,neuropathy,speech problems.It took me 8 months in a leg brace,9 months of PT/OP/SP to start to move forward.It's almost five years in Aug. and I'm still not able to work,still on SSD and still have short term memory I worked hard to get back where I'm at today,I pushed myself out of bed,out of the house. I practiced walking everyday with my brace and forced myself to walk without it. I am now able to walk without the limp because I was determined...took me time but I did it. I had months of set backs dealing with the neuropathy,both legs,arms feet some day's couldn't walk across the room. I had the numbing,burning,and tap water felt like it was acid on my skin. Now I see a doctor and get help for this...still I try moving forward. So as time moves forward I've learned from so many of you no matter how bad it is or how much you hurt you have to think positive,you have to move forward. This past June while flying down to AZ. to see my son and grandchildren the plane dropped 100's of feet from the sky injuring five people.I was one of them which set me back again with three bulged dis and a tear in my back. With the help of family and my Annie friends they got me back on track always reminding me I can do this. If I just laid there in pain and not try I would still be on the couch today. The friends you make on this site or any site are with you forever,through the good days as well as the bad. The Annie friends I first meant five years ago all thirteen of them are my new family. We have helped each other all these years and our whole group email everyday. When a few day's go by and and we don't hear from one we go into the email mode faster then we can read them. LOL that is how close we have become and some of these friends have moved to this site also,love ya guys.
But I'm getting off the subject of moving forward.....so

Good example,my younger son would stay in his room playing video games all day while looking for a job. I said how are you looking for a job when all you do is stay home all day in your room? His answer was he put some application's out in the job market and if they want him they can find him. I had to explain to him they won't come knocking on the door looking for him,he had to put the time into this. He had to think positive,be determined and push himself out of bed everyday,out of that room to get where he wanted to be.Today he is working and trying hard to keep his apartment but reminds me that it was me pushing him out of his room to try.
He told me this Christmas that he tells everyone,his friends,co-workers that his mom is a survivor.And said "Mom I see you as one of the strongest people I know, after all you have gone through you are my inspiration" first time I ever heard my son say that and it made me cry. Many people have shown that same determination after the Annie journey, some still find comfort yet in that room.

We are all here to support each other with positive remarks,answers,and kindness. I will always show empathy,love and give you my hand to hold in the darkest times.But I will not stop pushing you to get up and move forward,to get strong again,to not lose hope,and to stay positive to get your life back...this I will not do.

ooxx
Mimi