The best way I can explain aphasia is through a metaphor: files. Think of the brain as a system of files. Normally, when you want to say something, you can find the right file, open it, and use the information inside. You hear something, your brain processes it, finds the correct file, and sends a… Continue reading I Have Aphasia. Now What?
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My Journey into Data Science
I’m excited to share a new chapter of my journey — my transition into data science. I originally earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, but at the time, there weren’t many opportunities for new math graduates in Alaska. I tried teaching, but quickly realized it wasn’t the right path for me. I then pursued graduate… Continue reading My Journey into Data Science
Data Science and Graph Theory
I’m excited to be studying and transitioning into data science after my recovery journey. Graph theory and data science have become a big passion for me — it’s amazing how networks connect everything from people to information. This is one of my favorite projects so far — analyzing a real-world network to find hidden leaders!… Continue reading Data Science and Graph Theory
Fairbanks, Part 1
After returning home to Fairbanks, I was isolated. It felt like a different country. I couldn’t talk or understand other people’s conversations. They sounded like a foreign language. Everything was very hard for me, and I contemplated suicide. About nine months after I came home. I had to face the inevitable. My marriage was over.… Continue reading Fairbanks, Part 1
Seattle Part 6
While I was in bed contemplating life and everything I had to relearn, it was overwhelming. There was so much I had to change, including my marriage. I wasn’t sure that my wife at the time would come to see me or not. Before the stroke we weren’t in a good place. Over the years… Continue reading Seattle Part 6
Seattle Part 5
Mom brought my guitar to the hospital. I had played for about 16 years it was like second nature. I was excited. I started to play but right away it was off. I couldn’t feel the fingers on my right side and I dropped the picks often. I have to practice, and do OT. I… Continue reading Seattle Part 5
Seattle Part 4
The stroke was complicated so it wasn’t going to be simple to get home. The doctors wanted to see that I could travel home before I was released. There were three main things they were watching for: my physical ability, my competence in completing normal everyday tasks and lastly trying to communicate. Everyone is different,… Continue reading Seattle Part 4
Seattle Part 3
I looked in the mirror. My head was dented in on the left side. They shaved only the stitches, and the right side was fine. Why didn’t they shave the whole head? I looked like a freak. My brother was here at the hospital. I was desperate to shave my hair off, and was trying… Continue reading Seattle Part 3
Seattle Part 2
After I was allowed to eat, they explained that my brain was swelling. The doctor placed me in a medically induced to allow me to begin healing. They had to crack my skull on the left side and remove part of it. My skull was literally missing. I had no recollection of those 4 days… Continue reading Seattle Part 2
Seattle (Harborview Medical Center) Part 1
When I regained consciousness it was night in a large open hospital room propped up on the bed so I could see out the window. I was wearing a white gown, and there were tubes coming out of my arms. A nurse walked in and asked if I wanted to eat something, I was famished.… Continue reading Seattle (Harborview Medical Center) Part 1