Update from April 17-19-2020

Daily update-4-17 to 19-2020


NOTE: So, I’m getting ready to post this on April 25th and the week has been really good. Stronger each day. A little more disciplined with rehab and actually, better form on the exercises. My muscle memory is returning, but there is a lot of numbness on my left hand and arm as well as my cheek, which radiates at times to my lips, left eyelid and sinuses. Life goes on… here is a good quote from Dr. Kevin Elko, a sports psychologist, business consultant and an inspirational speaker. “I don’t have to, I get too” I love that quote and I have 2 framed copies of the quote that my friend, Victor Rzepecki of Phoenix sent to Cleveland. One hangs in my office at home, the other at work.

So, I’m condensing the weekend starting with Friday the 17th and sharing through Sunday the 19th. Seems that each day is getting better, I’m feeling stronger throughout the day. I’m also accepting the fact that I tire after a morning of exercising, eating and catching up on things on my to do list.

A nap or laying around for a couple hours really relieves my whole body. To share with you the last couple of nights and mornings, my blood pressure has been getting close to what it used to be 130 over the high 60s. The bottom number has been a little bit higher sometimes high 70s or low 80s. But it’s refreshing to see a 130 Number on top. Also, my pulse rate fluctuates from the 50s through the low 90s. It has never been a problem in my life, but it is interesting to keep track of the numbers.

Friday, I got a few hours of work in. Lined up lunch for a handful of title agents around the state of Ohio and Kentucky. That is very fulfilling to know that these folks are working to serve the public in a way I’ve never had to before. And getting great results. The real estate community, lending community and title community are essential. I’ve worked for a long time raising political action dollars for our industry. I believe today our members who are non-givers or non-believers in our efforts are going to become believers. Our people in Washington, DC and state houses around the country, have reach out to our legislators and their staffers, to discuss efforts in streamlining our industry. And they are listening. We are getting legislation adopted and passed. Our legislators are listening. They know how vital real estate and mortgages are to the economy, and none of it is possible without clear title. For once, price is not a forefront issue. Get the title searched and close with as little headaches as possible. It’s a great industry!

I have spent the mornings doing some writing and updating in my journal. Reading a new book, (I received from Jan and Doug. Traveling companions in Italy. The book, Engine 2 Diet), more to come on that in the future and getting ready for the day. When I finish and head downstairs, my first stop is a dining room chair to do some arm push-ups, stands, leg exercises and a ball toss. Then I head out to the kitchen for a few more exercises in front of the sink holding onto the counter and then a little breakfast. That is almost set like clockwork. I missed stepping outside on Saturday when the temperature got in the high 50s and sunshine. So today Sunday the 19th, I committed to go outside as soon as I got downstairs. We went outside and I ran into three neighbors before I got to the end of the drive which started conversations that took almost 15 minutes. I was actually tired before I started to walk down the street. We walked two houses, ran into another neighbor talked for eight minutes, an estimate, and then I turned Luke Skywalker back towards home. Pretty happy with myself, I broke up a few conversations to Move On. That is definitely not like me, but it will keep me energized.

I plan on taking a walk outside Sunday evening, most likely before dinner.

I’m actually eating less, and I don’t have a big craving for flavor. But I do usually eat everything that Debbie makes or my children who have been cooking and baking up a storm. I am not overdoing it on carbohydrates, sugars and fatty foods. It’s sort of funny but the cravings almost ended instantly. My sister Linda Jo brought me some sorbet the middle of the week. I’ve always been an ice cream guy, vanilla, butter pecan and some with a little chocolate. The Sorbet sat in the freezer for a couple of days, Friday evening Debbie asked me if I wanted a bowl. I said a little bit of each. They were delicious. In the short term I could probably get by with a little bit every couple of days. It was cold and refreshing!

Since this journey began on April 5, I started at about 189 pounds that morning prior to the stroke. The morning after I arrived home April 8, I weighed myself and I was around 181. I wanted to get under 180 for quite some time. But not as quickly as this. The last time I checked my weight Thursday, April 16 I was just over 182. I’m content right there right now.

I’m actually looking forward to some sunshine in the next week or so I can sit on the back deck and work on a tan on my legs and chest. To my dermatologist, Dr. Hirsch I’ll keep the hat on I promise, and I’ll wear sunscreen. But I know that the sun’s vitamin D will heal my body quicker.

Friday afternoon I made the decision to get these updates on the blog. I had a conversation earlier in the week with Kate from Streamline CLE, she got me pretty connected with pulling the word docs over and having it in bedded into the blog. In the future I’d like to put some links as well as some photographs. I just think it’s easier to read when you got a visual. Saturday, I went live and today Sunday the 19th I put up the fourth post. Which gets us to about April 8. 

We had a visit early Sunday afternoon by our nephew Frank, his wife Angela and our niece Isabell. They brought us a half a dozen of cranberry orange muffins. When they left, I went in the basement, made an espresso, enjoyed half a muffin and relaxed and wrote this update

Isabell is a Rockstar, a junior with a 4.5 grade average! She balances out people like me. I hate to admit it, but I think I was maybe a 2.8 as my best. I’m really not embarrassed, shortly after graduating high school I picked books and never have set them down. It was actually a motivating factor in authoring the books that I have published. Do you know a kid from the east side of Cleveland that has three books in the Library of Congress! Mom and Dad would be proud.

Now back to Isabell. I found some rock ‘n’ roll T-shirts online and I gave them to her when they showed up today. We practice social distancing, they stood on the back deck and Debbie and I were in the house. A couple of the shirts dated back in the 1960s and 70’s, Led Zeppelin, Janice and the Beatles. A couple of them are from Trunk, for the rock and rollers you know what I mean. I was very excited to share these with her. I hope they fit, and she wears them like a true rock and roller. Here’s the newest fact I learned on care for these shirts. How do you iron a T-shirt that have a picture or saying on it? Inside-out. I ironed all of them and folded them sitting on a chair with the ironing board in front of me. Debbie warned me twice not to burn myself. I had beat her to it. I told myself the same thing about a half a dozen, “Be careful that iron is hot”.

We had a great visit with Frank, Angela and Isabell.

Two things when you’re in rehab, that you here over and over. "Don’t fall and don’t burn yourself." For an old guy I’m learning about taking care of myself. After they left, I rearrange some things and finished writing seven thank you notes, (It took about 40 minutes), but they are addressed and stamped and ready to go out. I’m a little behind on my notes, but they’re all in order and I’ll catch up on thank you cards.

On Saturday I actually watched two episodes of the Heist and Hunters. They are on Netflix I believe. It’s brainless entertainment, personally I feel like I’m wasting a lot of time, but it gives me an opportunity to put my legs up and relax. I’m not a friend of multitasking. One thing at a time and do it right. But watching these helped me pass about 3 1/2 hours of time.

Somewhere around here I have all of the James Bond movies, and I had watched up to 1978 or 79 last year. I think I’m going to dig those out and give the next few years a view, get some relaxation and watch them. Possibly knock a few off in the next week or two.

I hope you’re enjoying the updates; they are very therapeutic for me.

I'm really look forward to this weekend, with nothing on the schedule except exercise and relaxing. We have had a couple of visitors. They really take it out of you, not the individuals personally. Just the interactions. When folks are here, I try to walk a little bit for them left my legs and pick some things up with my left hand, just to give them an idea of where I’m at in this journey. I think they appreciate it and it helps eliminate some of the questions.

This update is just over two full pages of print, and I am dedicated to keeping it that short whether it’s a one day or three-day update. So, thank you for checking in, please share the website johnvoso.com

Thank you and have a great week!
​John

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