Hi to all my Forum friends! I have not been posting here for a while, and wanted to touch base. I had a stroke several weeks ago, and have been recovering from it. I am doing well. I did lose all vision in my left eye (which is by far my dominant eye). When I had my follow up visit with a Retinal Specialist, I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration in my right eye.

I spent 5 days in the hospital, and they found the culprit for the stoke - I was diagnosed with PFO, and a lot of long latin words that follow - to put in Texas vernacular, I have a small hole in my heart, that sucked up some plaque and shot it up into my brain. (Any doctors in the Forum, please forgive my over simplified explanation.) I am relieved to know the cause, and they are treating it primarily with platelet thinners, aspirin, and lipitor. I am also treating it with prayer,

The good news: I don't have any brain damage (well, any more than before the stroke.) I am still learning how to see with an eye with Macular Degeneration, that was totally dependent for 65 years on an eye that is now no longer working. This is a real experience.

I am so thankful for the future that is before me, and look forward to writing and posting many more songs here. I look forward to listening and enjoying the fine work that is presented here.

I understand my limitations, but refuse to be defined by a stroke.

I thank all of you for your support for many years here, and I appreciate your prayers.

Sincerely,

Steve

Hoping for a speedy recovery for you Steve. Your songs and support in the forum have been a blessing for us all.

Sorry to hear about your illness and will add my prayers to yours. I will be looking forward to hearing many more songs from you.

I myself have not posted on the forum for sometime,always popping in and reading posts though.

Steve i truly have always enjoyed your songs and still intend to in the future, excellent outlook you have !.

Take care

Steve, I have always regarded you as one of the mainstays of this site, and you will continue to be that for sure. You are in my prayers - please continue to be defined only by what you choose to define you ... including the wonderful music you produce. Take good care and keep writing!

Steve,
Sad you are going through so much. I hope recovery goes as smooth as possible and you will start composing beautiful songs soon.
I do like that: "I understand my limitations, but refuse to be defined by a stroke."
Wishing you well.

Misha.

P.S. This is not a "normal" year by any means. My wife's good friend had a stroke last week... she is in her mid 30s. She is out of the hospital and recovering.

It's not been a good year for many if any.
I'll await your next song.

Hi Steve.

I'm glad to hear you're in good humor, despite the stroke and damage to your eye.

You'll be remembered in my prayers.

As always, I look forward to your songs!

Steve,
Sorry to hear about your health issues, I admire your positive spirit and look forward to hearing new songs from you.

Peter

Steve, we are very saddened to read this but
then happy that you have such a positive attitude and your faith to guide you through all.

You and your family are in our thoughts and we wish you a speedy recovery!

J&B

Steve,

Sorry to hear that you are going through such trying times.
But good to hear from you.
And we wish you only the best.
Keep a song in your heart (and share it here!).
Always looking forward to your next offering...
Wishing you strength in all things.

fj

Sorry to hear about your health problems Steve, and sincerely hope you will make a good recovery as you seem to be doing.

Looking forward to any songs that you will post in the future.

Best Wishes.

Hi Steve,

That is a very sad and bad situation you experienced.
I surely hope you will find the strenght to get back on your (musical) feet!
In any case, don't despair, how dark things may like.
I know it will not be easy (I had a stroke myself some years ago, was partly paralized and couldn't speak properly), but as long as you keep faith in yourself you can conquer a lot of the disadvantages you face now.
I hope that soon I hear new songs from you, then I know you have won!

All the best,
Hans

Steve,
Your sad news has forced me out of my self-imposed, and also, medical lurkdom. As a medically qualified, sort of, person I was a Dentist I understand a bit more than you put in writing.Also I had a ministroke years back but thankfully my body has partially repaired itself.
I sincerely hope yours does the same.

Take it easy, I wish you well from Wales and that everyday is an improvement.
Isnt growing old fun???

gwella'n fuan, (get wekll soon)

Alyn

Thanks for posting that, Steve. We are all pulling for you and pleased to hear you are receiving what sounds like very good medical attention. Best wishes.

Drat!
None of us knows when some illness may effect us or a loved one.
Your posting reminds me to be thankful for no serious issues so far in my life.
Glad to hear you're coping the best you can.
Nice to have some friends to give you support when you need it.
Best to you,
Moto

Hi Steve praying!! for good and accurate medical attention and recovery of sight I always listen to your songs and comments you are a very talented singer musician and writer and your positive faith is inspiring to us, all the best to you Eric

You're a great talent and, I'm sure, an inspiration to many here. I'm so glad you are finding your way through this and hopefully we haven't heard the last of your brilliant music. Music is a great healer, we all come to know this at one time or another. Looking forward to your next tune on the forum, whenever that may be.

Hello Steve Young,


I am sad for you but sometimes believing in its recovery and being always optimistic can work miracles and bring you a real improvement in your health.

Kindly regard

Dero13
alias JaniJackFlash

Steve...we don't know each other at all, except through passing contacts on this forum. I'll keep you on my prayer list, you can count on that.

One element of re-assurance that you've probably considered, even if you are having difficulty "producing" music....how wonderful has it been to have known music intimately and to always have, in your mind and heart, a deep knowledge and love of the mysterious joy of music.

Tom

Hi Steve,

I was touched by your message. Having been a speech language pathologist in my active years I've seen countless people who had strokes and I know that this is one of the most terrible things to get.

Your brain is still in good shape and your language is also unaffected - that's the good news. The really bad news is what's happened to your vision - I think, no-one can understand this better than I, being blind on the left eye and having only a very smal slot left in the right one. In the first place I do wish you that the macula degeneration doesn't develop any worse or at least, if it does, that it will as slowly as possible.

I admire the way you are taking that fate - and I am sure that acceptance is the first and most important way to get along with all the deficits such a poor vision comes along with.

Acceptance, pragmatism, patience and not giving up, finding work-arounds whenever something seems to be too difficult - that's what helped and helps me and I am sure that this is no bad advice.

I do hope that you have loving and caring people around you and I wish you all the best - try to keep your head up high and don't give up making great music.

Stefan

I'm sorry to hear of this. I am glad you are looking at the positive. Having no brain damage is certainly something to be thankful for. I hope you have a full recovery, and I look forward to hearing more from you in the near future!

Sorry to hear about your recent challenges, Steve. Keeping you in our prayers.

Hi Steve,

When I read through your post, all I could think was how the road you're travelling is paved with so many obstacles, and none of them easy to overcome. Despite that, though, your positivity shines in your writing. The uplifting tone with which you write comes across as someone who makes the most of everything in whatever the circumstances and adapts in whatever way Life requires.

Sending a ton of healing thoughts and prayers your way.
Noel

Hi Steve
Very sorry to hear of your illness, but I really admire your positive attitude. I've always enjoyed your songs very much and look forward to hearing your future work. Take care.
Regards,
Leon

I hope get well soon and have a full and speedy recovery.

Oh man Steve! Sorry to hear that. I'll be praying also for your recovery. We all need your talent and expertise.

Best regards

Mike B.

Steve,

My heart goes out to you and wishing you my every kind thought for a speedy recovery. You are a very talented songwriter, and I'll look forward to hearing more from you when you are ready. Keep the faith!

My kindest regards,

Deej

Hi Steve,
Your quote "I understand my limitations, but refuse to be defined by a stroke." Inspiring...it takes courage to go through major health issues. I will pray for your full recovery. Believe you will be healed. Take care