'Name the different kinds of people,’ said Miss Lupescu. ‘Now.’ ~ Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book

What is today's date? Have I forgotten it? It certainly seems like my history and future have merged together. My last blog was on 6 November, after I moved to Woody Point! But right now I feel pretty good, I have a future that is making me feel much better.

I mentioned, last time, that I said farewell to my CBRT team, but I didn't mention the Dolphins Gym which one of my lovely team people introduced me to. This was just "me", and I love it! Every Monday and Wednesday there has been a Heart Care class, which works as well for me looking after my stroke lifetime. The leader has rung people about me, and has given me some warnings about how I shouldn't be trying to get back to where I was. That's frustrating, but she already knows that I go for my next CT in January next year so I have to believe her.

The Heart Care class is set up very well. I do treadmill, exercycle and weights, then join the class for a fun activity and cool down. I have a training paper which I haven't had for years!

The CBRT person who brought me into the gym also joined me a couple of times with a swimming group, Aqua Fit, which I love. I have also been swimming 40 lengths (one km) in the pool. It frustrated me to start with when I only did 20 lengths (half a km) - I used to do 80 (two kms) before my operation, but I will stick with 40 for now. At the moment I am holding off because I have an earache. Very annoying!

I joined some brain aneurysm groups on Facebook. The first one I enjoyed because it was a community group, so able to be joined by people who simply want info. A couple of the others are closed groups, but, for me, that doesn't mean so much information but just a few games. The first one I joined is called Brain Aneurysm Support Australia, started by Maya, and I have been taken on as an admin! I am enjoying it all, as I have made, for myself, one thing to do - every day I post up some information. It is information that probably many people would not know, and is a safety for my language problems.

This is a wonderful group for aneurysm people and for so many other people who should find out information about aneurysms.

A few weeks ago I started my voluntary position with Redcliffe Art Gallery, on Friday mornings, and I enjoy it. This little gallery is different - very small, but so full of all sorts of art stuff, not just paintings. I have two weeks off over Christmas and New Year, then back into it.

So can my life look "normal"? Perhaps that is because so many people don't know what happens after an aneurysm - including a stroke. I found information from www.strokeassociation.org which is (another) USA organisation, but is pretty up about strokes to do with aneurysms. I didn't understand, until very recently, that I risked death with my stroke. Stroke Association wrote:

The [subarachnoid] hemorrhage may also damage the brain directly, usually from bleeding into the brain itself. This is called a “hemorrhagic stroke.” This can lead to: weakness or paralysis of an arm or leg, trouble speaking or understanding language, vision problems and seizures.

I struck trouble speaking my language and I still have it, and I also have some vision problems which are annoying, but I am certain that I am not completely in trouble - I met too many stroke people in North Lakes; read my last blog.

Right now, for my exercise and swimming, writing for BASA, volunteering at RAG and Christmas day which will be spent with my daughter and in-law, I am feeling good. With my CT in January I can only hope it will be okay.

Have a merry Christmas everyone. Wish me luck for the New Year!