Latest news with #Jeralyn
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Husband and wife, both veterans, living life to fullest after husband's severe stroke
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A severe stroke never stopped a veteran and his wife from living life to the fullest. It's been two and a half years and now the couple travels across the country as he competes in different athletic competitions for wounded, sick or injured service members. Swimming is Jeremy Ditlevson's favorite activity as he pushes through the water and defies the odds. He has videos from his Tik Tok 'Life After Stroke' that show his preparations for those adaptive athletic competitions. It's the latter end of a long journey with his wife, Jeralyn, also a veteran, that started in January 2023 when he suffered a severe stroke. LOCAL NEWS: Catholic Charities works to help affordable housing crisis 'They didn't think that he was going to make it, so it was an emotional time,' Jeralyn said. 'Going to the hospital as soon as possible is the difference between life and death,' Dr. Jorge Ortiz-Garcia with OU Health said. Garcia cared for Ditlevson and is also a neuroscience ICU doctor. He said it was caused by a blood clot. He also found a blood clotting disorder and heart deformity they didn't know about. He spent 17 days in the ICU, which his wife said were filled with stress, complications and the unknown. 'I felt like I was in a rowboat with 20 holes in it in the middle of the ocean during a cat five hurricane in the middle of the night with one rower,' Jeralyn said. There was a light at the end of the tunnel, however. He spent over 3 months in San Antonio for rehab and learned to walk again. Today, he has body deficits and aphasia, which leaves him limited in communication. 'No matter the cards that we were dealt, we still have to keep pushing through,' Jeralyn said. Now, both are part of a community with other veterans. LOCAL NEWS: OKC, Palomar break ground on Family Justice Center 'We're family,' Jeralyn said about the traveling for athletic events and being around other veterans. With a warriors spirit, it's a second chance at life that neither of them take for granted. 'We can only push forward and continue to live our life the best that we can and have as much fun as we want,' she said. Dr. Ortiz-Garcia said time is of the essence when a stroke occurs. He urges everyone to know the signs and act quickly because it can save their life. Last year, Jeremy competed for the Army in the DOD World Games. Next week he's in North Carolina for the Valor Games, then in July, he's heading to Colorado Springs for another competition as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
WebMD
07-05-2025
- Health
- WebMD
How People Have Fun With MS
My wife sometimes complains, 'You used to be more fun.' She must have a better memory than I do because I don't remember the fun me she's talking about. What happened to that man? Did multiple sclerosis (MS) take him away? Maybe it did. It certainly seems like MS and its related disabilities makes having fun a lot harder. I spend hours each day taking care of my body. That's not a miserable way to live, once you get used to it – I love my body – but is it fun? And how important is fun anyway? I really didn't know, so I looked to see what scientists have said. Unfortunately, they haven't said much. There are almost no studies on the relationship between multiple sclerosis and fun, or between having fun and keeping healthy. Either it's hard to research fun, or there's no money in it. So I turned to my two top sources: the WebMD MS Facebook community and Google Artificial Intelligence. (I know using AI is lazy, but whatever you search for on Google now, your results start with an 'AI overview,' which usually has a lot of good info.) Here's what I found. We can still have fun with MS, and it's good for us, but it's not always easy. I asked the community, 'What do you do for fun? Can we still have fun with MS? Several people answered 'Yes.' Jeralyn said, 'Take a camera and capture the fun.' Karin said 'You can still have plenty of fun, MS or not.' Others said they had fun but had to modify things. Timica said, 'Yes. I save my energy and then rest afterward.' And Tania wrote, 'Of course we can, just a little slower. … Change our expectations.' But others were less positive. Jelena answered, 'Depends. I am very weak.' And Judy wrote, 'Not so much, but after 23 years I'm getting used to being the one left out,' to which Julia replied, 'I truly understand. My family will continue on and all I can do is watch them go.' Some things the community does to have fun: Jigsaw puzzles Video games Board games – I like those, too. Creative writing or poetry Geocaching – Brenda says, 'there are caches for all levels of ability.' I've never done geocaching, but it does seem fun. Paint or do crafts An AI overview of a search for 'multiple sclerosis and fun' turned up more ideas, including: Light physical games, like pool, ping pong, or darts Solo or group games like word games, crosswords, or video games Hobbies like crafting, woodworking, sewing, or quilting Watching TV or videos MS-friendly exercise, like aquatic exercise, walking, or biking Gardening AI also says to adapt activities. 'Find ways to modify your favorite activities to fit your abilities.' Community member Shannon agrees with the adaptation idea. They do paddle boarding from a seated position. Diana also agreed, writing, 'Travel! Find things you CAN do and modifications for what you can't.' Fun is good for you Fun probably isn't the most important health behavior, but some experts say that fun activities can reduce stress, boost serotonin levels, and improve sleep patterns. Physical forms of fun – games, sports, or dancing, have obvious health benefits. For me, doing anything fun takes my mind off my problems and the world's problems. It stops me from over-thinking for a while, and that's always good. Other people make a big difference in fun. If we're around people having fun, it rubs off on us. Since I started going to a senior center, I have a lot more fun because people really have a good time there. I sing karaoke in Chinese, and even though I don't know what the words mean, I feel good while doing it. (I pick up the melody from the other singers.) I do the part of their exercise classes I can do. When I can't do a move, I just watch the others do it. I find it much harder to have fun by myself. Other people can also stop our fun. Judy said her husband 'doesn't get it. He says, 'Just take rests.' Damn near killed me in New Orleans in the heat. He just wants to keep going, and I can't. Ugh, this MS sucks.' Like Judy, many of us have people in our lives who can't seem to understand what we're going through. For me now, fun is not the most important thing. Treating people right and doing right is more important, but if I can have fun, I am going to try. Why not? If nothing else, having fun makes us fun to be around, so others will want to see us and help us when they can. Fun seems a good antidote to loneliness and despair, bad feelings that often come with MS. So try to have some.
