From the Shores of the Ottawa River

A few years ago, in February 2018, I I went into the Ottawa Heart Institute for a stress test and didn’t leave until May . I suffered a stroke during surgery., and I was at Elizabeth Bruyère Rehabilitation Hospital in Ottawa for a few months for rehabilitation.

I acknowledge the amazing team of  health professionals, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists who contributed to my recovery.

A few weeks into my recovery, a nurse came to my room with the wheelchair. I was really excited to be able to roam around the  halls of the stroke unit independently.  One day, she came to my room and said, “I have good news and bad news, which do you want first?”  

Being the eternal optimist, I said “the good news, please.” She started: “the physiotherapist says I need to return your wheelchair.”

“What!” I said, “NO, I want to keep it.”  And she added “there are others who need it more, and the good news is you don’t need it anymore.”

I reluctantly said goodbye to my wheelchair, at the same time I was pleased to be moving on in my rehab, I went from my wheelchair to a walker, and then finally to walking with a cane. It took several months before I was walking without any aids.  And it felt great that I had no need for it!

Unfortunately, during the winter of 2020 I twisted my knee slipping on ice and pulled my meniscus and I had to use a walker again, for a few weeks. It was a setback for sure because a torn ligament takes a while to heal.

It was then I realized I needed to make friends with my walker again.  I found this minor change in my mindset helpful.  I changed my attitude to it and began calling it my “assistant.” After all an assistant is there to help, right?  This one helped me feel secure.  It  also carried my purse, and with the aid of a handicapped pass it allowed me premium parking spaces at stores.  Eventually I was able to not rely on it, first in my home, and slowly when I was out in public.

With winter around the corner.  In the coming months we may well experience significant doses of sadness, anxiety, and depression without the bright sun. But fear not Spring will come, but you have to go through winter first. lol

My journey since 2018 has been to shift my perspective and to see things from a more positive viewpoint. I believe it has helped me recover quicker, and I might add there is certainly no shame in accepting help. I viewed my “assistant” as a privilege.

Science shows us that establishing and maintaining routine can be a form of antidepressant, and perhaps introducing to your routine meditation as well as physical activity. If you haven’t already, will help you navigate through the coming months.  As a long time, meditator, I can attest to these benefits of improved mental health, more energy, better sleep, and steady mood.  Not to mention happiness and joyful bliss.

 2020, 2021 has been like a wet blanket. I emphasize, your perspective makes all the difference in your world on how you will navigate the upcoming months. Be well.  And don’t be afraid to call on your assistants!  Whatever – or whoever – they may be.  Over the summer of 2023 I have added to my protocol healthy  nutritional eating, raw vegan. I never have to read the ingredients, because it is what I see, whole and healthy.