By Marty Arlen

Welcome to "Ask Uncle 007." Remember, the advice given is done with tongue in cheek. Please don't take it seriously.

Dear Uncle 007:

It's been six months since my stroke and I want to know if it's safe to indulge in sex again?

Horny in Honolulu

Aloha,

Sex was the hottest topic when I joined this network. I learned more from the posting than I did in health class in high school.

Let me tell you how I handled this sensitive topic. For the first four months post stroke, I was so busy with rehab, medications and adjusting to my new lifestyle, sex never entered my mind. Then during a doctor's appointment, I sheepishly asked the doctor if resuming sex would kill me. Absolutely not, she promised. You can start immediately. So we did.

Good Luck,

Uncle 007

Dear Uncle 007,

The first anniversary of my stroke is approaching and I’m scared to death. How do I deal with this upcoming date?

Petrified in Poland

Dear Petrified

First of all, no polish jokes. You can sell all your assets and move to an exotic island, fly to Las Vegas (U.S.) and gamble to your heart's content, call an escort service and have the time of your life, or lock yourself in the closet for 24 hours until the day passes.

Personally, I would raise a glass of water, make a toast to myself as I take my medications and proclaim, “Thank God I’m Alive."

Congrats on your First Anniversary,

Uncle 007

E-mail your questions to Uncle 007 at marlen@strokenetwork.org.