A Reluctant Change In Plans

For those interested in my journey after being struck by lightning, it is time for an update. Some major changes have occurred, and I want to share with you what that means for some life plans.

There is a lot of good news and I prefer to start with it. First up, my heart continues to do miraculously well. I met with the cardiologist last week (I think) and things are still going very, very well. While there are still some issues (BP and such), the heart itself is amazingly healthy. Which is interesting since last spring things weren’t looking so good as there was a thought I might have to have more surgery. However, not all that long after my Baptism into the Orthodox Church, the new cardiologist (who I like and trust) ran tests that showed pretty much complete healing. So much so he wants me to join a gym and start hitting some weights. I like the idea as walking only gets you so far. Puns intended.

Last fall, I met with a new neurologist to run a series of tests as at that point the brain was supposed to be healed as much as it was going to heal. Time to see what we could see and if any trend lines could be spotted. We’ve done the MRI and one phase of testing; sadly, the rest of the testing can’t be done until June (which is a story for another day).

Tied into that, last fall if you are a regular you may remember I started having vertigo issues. Unsurprisingly, after the fiasco with the first attempt at testing, we finally did get the tests the ENT wanted run. However, balls were again dropped and I just got the results a couple of weeks ago. The cause was not vestibular, as pretty much all of us expected, but neurological. The ENT thinks that it is a result of the brain continuing to rewire itself.

Continuing to rewire itself. More than three years after the lightning strike. To make it even more interesting, not all of that rewiring appears (to me) to be related to the lightning strike. Short version is that my noggin has been injured three different times. Not going to get into the other two, but where I am seeing a lot of change relates to that very first time many years ago. All I can say is I am grateful and looking forward to seeing what happens/how far it goes.

For now, routines, notes, and other bits of help work and for the most part work well. I’m sure not going to complain, as I know people who’ve pretty much had to start over after being hit. Me, I’ve had to relearn how to read music and sing, which is nothing in comparison. It does make me wonder about the poor guy on video who got hit three times in less than five minutes. There are still gaps in my memories, but every now and then something triggers a cascade that restores some of them. I don’t need a keeper, yet, but having someone around might not be a bad idea. More on that in a minute. For now, what I see as ongoing are the brain farts and some issues with time perception. An example of the latter is thinking it’s been two weeks since I talked with someone when it’s really been a year or more.

Oh, there’s more but that’s life. I should also add on the good news front that the vertigo has mitigated a good bit.

As I think I mentioned before, the other bit of good news is that after a long process, I was granted disability. Honestly, I have some mixed emotions but it is for the best. Now making that interesting was finding out that I was being moved from my previous medical insurance over onto Medicare and Medicaid. A bit more of an adventure than I cared for, but it is done.

Yet, it is not done. As all this was going on, I was told that my premium would be covered, as would the cost of a full-up plan. There are some other little bits, but as long as I stay in Indiana that is covered tax free. Given that my disability payment isn’t much, this is huge. It also allows me to keep my core care team, which is very important to me. Especially since we may still be working recovery issues much longer than planned (for which I do give thanks).

Turning from matters physical to matters spiritual, as long-time readers know, I found a new Church home last year. Well, I found it the year before but formally joined last year. It has been an amazing and wonderful experience. I’ve even gotten to take some “courses” on the Church Fathers and other topics, which I’ve very much enjoyed. I also became a Chanter and there is a possibility that I might even be tonsured so I can serve as a reader and altar server. We will see.

I’ve also been blessed with getting to know some wonderful people. Our music director has been working with me on re-learning music and singing, agreeing that it was good therapy for me. Things are improving and I’m even starting to look for options for some voice coaching for the singing. With all the health issues of late, not being doing as much with the guitar as I would like but hope to change that soon as well. There are others as well, too many to list, who are helping me in my journey.

For all that my particular Church is known for sending members forth, I would like to stay there for a while. I’ve got lots to learn and they are quite gracious about working with me and my limits — and helping me push them at need. And that doesn’t even touch some of the friendships. I’m lousy at those, but who knows…

I know I’ve said before I had accepted that I couldn’t go off on my own and live the hermit life, but the last few weeks have driven that home to me with a vengance. Almost like someone is trying to pound it through my thick skull. I’ve finally accepted that not only do I need people nearby, but I also need people that can and will check in on me.

All this forces me to accept that I can’t move out West this year, or probably any time soon. Which on one level is a shame since this winter has reminded me of every reason I want to do it. I’m also having to accept that I need to stay in Indianapolis for now. I’m also realizing that I need to get a place of my own (or at least with my own kitchen) as my current situation is not the right situation for the future.

I’d really like to find a small house, or even a duplex, preferably with a basement. A basement is not only good for storage, but a good place to ride out a thunderstorm at need. Most apartments these days don’t let you have grills and smokers, and I want both. I’ve started looking around, but if anyone out there hears of anything here in Indy, let me know. Provided it doesn’t have barricade bars on the doors — no joke, looked at one house online that had them, told me all I needed to know about the neighborhood. Would love to find something close to the Church, but prices around there have gone up through the roof as the neighborhood has improved.

I will be updating the GiveSendGo here soon, as while I will be moving it will not be out West. At least not yet. It’s funny, and telling, that every time I thought there was a chance, something happened to prevent it. I can’t be sad though, as each has brought both physical and spiritual healing. What the future holds I do not know, but I continue to have Faith that I will be shown the path.

Thank you for being a part of this journey, and for all your help and encouragement these last 3.5 years. Your prayers and generosity have helped me get this far, and recover far more than I really expected. Thank you.

More to come…