I am 52

[ramjet]

Had OT (occuational therapy) appt yrsterday. My stroke affected my cerebellum (as well as other bits) I don't think I have explained this to anyone so here goes. Most doctor types on here (do we have any?) should already know this.

 

Your cerebellum is involved with your movement. It is nothing short of simply incredible.

If you are sitting reading and you decide to pick up a pen, your cerebellum has already worked out how to move your hand, decelerate it, open your fingers, pick the pen up, manipulte it so you can use it and return your arm to where you wish it to be.

 

Now keep going and understand that your cerebellum has worked it out for every part of your body that moves, on the fly, and you can start to grasp what it does. Constantly.

 

And mine broke.

[DaveyT]

Chin up, Michael...

It didn't break entirely, and the body has an amazing way of repairing itself.

My Dad's original arteries were 90% blocked, so his body decided to route a new channel to his heart. We had no idea that was even possible, but the Docs reckon that's what's kept him alive for the last 8 years. Won't operate to clear the blockages as there's too much risk of knocking off a clot.

All the best again for your own full recovery

Dave

[Jacques]

I died from a heartstop at age 21. I was gone around 6 minutes. Took me half a year to get going Again. Since then I've learned to prioritize everything, and say to others what I think, but sometimes did not tell. Better do it while one can.  I wish you all the best. And I also hope your job will be paitient to you, as these Things takes time to get over.

 

Best wishes,

Jacques.

[comem47]

Chin up, Michael...

It didn't break entirely, and the body has an amazing way of repairing itself.

My Dad's original arteries were 90% blocked, so his body decided to route a new channel to his heart. We had no idea that was even possible, but the Docs reckon that's what's kept him alive for the last 8 years. Won't operate to clear the blockages as there's too much risk of knocking off a clot.

All the best again for your own full recovery

Dave

 

Yes, that's what happened to me. I felt some chest congestion I thought was gas from chugging a root beer to fight off a diabetic low and didn't feel quite right. They performed an EKG and blood work and determined I didn't have a heart attack, but luckily the doctor on call persued it further and scheduled a followup stress test in a few days, that led to an angiogram and they disovered the major blockages (including the "widow maker" )and I ended up with a triple bypass operation. Amazing how the detour arteries were formed over time and I never had a heart attack in the mean time( I guess you can think of it as gradual narrowing of the arteries vs a sudden clot). Earlier in my life in during my freshman year at college I had an electictal shock (3500 volts!!!) from accidently contacting a radio transmitter power supply lead and my heart stopped and my dad fortunately revived me after 3 different forms of resuscitation (heard me scream from my room). I must have a shamrock in my back pocket and every day lived is a plus for what might have been the end on a few occasions!!! (I was initially worried about time away from school and passing exams, but in the "big picture" just being alive was all that mattered).

 

All the best in your recovery.

[Bibs]

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/how-i-rescued-my-brain-psychologist-david-roland-rewired-his-thoughts-following-a-stroke-10070542.html

 

That's an interesting excerpt from what I'm sure is a fascinating book... 

[ramjet]

I'm having touble reading again on the screen so I'll read it later.

The rewiring part is slow. Even for me, though they say I am fast.

What is astonishing is the neurologists don't really know what happens, just that it does.

Neuroplasticity is a word they give to the brains ability for other parts to take over the function of a dead part. However, it doesn't seem to be measurable at all. Nor completely understood.

[ramjet]

Was hoping to go back to work on the 2nd March. Didn't happen. Got an email form work with their expectation on it and I can't currently meet it. Basically full duties.

So at this point I have no idea how long I will be off.

[johnpwalsh]

Hi Michael, just back again from overseas and glad to see the updates, you work on the body and let work take care of it'self, things have a tendancy to come good in time.

Keep us all posted.

[ramjet]

Thanks John.

 

Well the plan now is to go back to work 3 days a week starting on the 30th of March. 3 hours per day. The start of March fell in a hole as I probably could not have done it.

I go for a driving test to hopefully get my license back in about 2 weeks. Have to talk to them to see if doing it in an automatic will cover me for the Esprit or whether there is something else to do. Maybe can do it in a dual control manual. Don't know yet.

 

Spoke to my mate in the ski shop the other day and his brother-in-law has just had a stroke and his business partner has just had a TIA (possible stroke precursor). Both 38 years old.

 

I don't believe a pending stroke can even be tested for.

[johnpwalsh]

Hi Michael, well thats all positive news then. Glad to hear of the progress and as for the Esprit, if thats not insentive enough I dont know what is.

Good luck and as always, keep us posted.

[ramjet]

Thanks John.

 

It will be 4 1/2 months off work and I'll still be doing physio etc to keep improving.

Longest time I have ever been laid up.

[reebok]

I have had four TIA's over the past ten yrs.

I am now fifty six.

The first one caused me to be hospitalised for a week.

The second caused me loss of balance for two yrs, and it sometimes recurs.

The third one was more of a brain fart where I lost two days of my life.

The fourth one left me without the use of my left hand for two years.

Was partly fixed with some carpel tunnel surgery to open up the nerve pathways, and eventually with some regular work in the shed creating things,. Interestingly enough, I managed to hide this fact from my employer the whole time, and keep working, finance in an auto dealership.

Move on a few years, and things are almost normal, but they will never be really normal.

I was shuffled between many different doctors and specialists, who only expressed joy when they could handball the issue to someone else. Was not offered anything beyond " not my problem, maybe you really didnt have a stroke. " but they couldnt make my hand work either.

Perservere, but it will treated as your problem not anyone elses. But also, you have the most to gain from any improvement, however small. Celebrate them!

I did stop flying light planes, as it would have been irresponsible for me to put that risk on someone else. But I did continue travelling and riding motorcycles, mowing the lawns, etc etc.

there is light at the end of the tunnel, but you may have to look hard. Remain positive, as that is the one attitude that lets you appreciate that maybe your life is pretty good anyway, even with the changes.

But you are in charge, cos aside from your family, the rest of the world wont help. Doesnt have to a bad thing though. Just a reality check.

Please persevere. Good will come of it.

[ramjet]

Thanks Peter. Sorry to hear about all of yours. God forbid I have another one.

[reebok]

The main thing is to realise that your life isnt over, it has just changed!

Not the most welcome challenge, but you have skin in the game, it is your interests to be the mvp here. Hey, you know all the players right!

[ramjet]

Absolutely. Do look at it that way. (well, most days) Looking forward to the pains that I now get in the right side of my face to go away.

 

I put it down to my brain relearning.

[reebok]

I make fun of it now, but two years without using a knife and fork to eat, or getting help to do up buttons is not good for your dignity.

I also have quite bad knees, and was using a walking stick in my left hand to walk.

Rather hard when you cant hold the stick!

But eventually things came back, and after a knee replacement, I dont have to use the stick either!

People I knew made all the adjustments, and laughed with me, or just helped by not noticing as much.

Dont hide away, you might be surprised at how much support you get!

Reading your responses, I think you will come out of this ok.

[ramjet]

[molemot]

All this sort of recovery stuff takes time, and "results vary" as the adverts say. My problem is much lesser than you guys, being due to a shoulder dislocation...but the results of that have been great difficulty in eating in a civilised manner and an inability to play the guitar. I've just been trying to encourage  John Walsh with his impending musicianship, so I grabbed the old axe and found that, although I still couldn't make fluent changes, I was a lot nearer to it than when I first tried a couple of months back, when I was a complete spastic who couldn't even get the fingers on the right strings at all!! So I'm a bit cheerier now.....

[reebok]

It is definitely the little things that count.

[ramjet]

 

My keyboards actually helped by doing scales.

[ramjet]

I saw my personal GP today about getting a script sorted. We spoke about everything to do with my stroke and how I was going. He is aware of me looking at trying to begin work again Monday and I also let him know about my driving tests to get back to that.

 

Because he saw me walk to his office, he asked me whether I thought I was ready for both work and to try and get my licence back.

 

I honestly think he thinks it may all be too soon.

 

Before you ask, I just don't know.

[johnpwalsh]

I guess it takes as long as it takes and the correct mental attitude will help and you sure seem to have plenty of that. I have not been in your position but had a serious cancer scare a few years back, now I just think, todays today and yesterday is past, tomorrow is the future and can only be better.

[reebok]

Post my troubles. I believe I am getting more from the life I have, rather than focussing on the life I dont have.

Less of a grumpy person too.

Day by day, you will learn to cope, I expect there is plenty of living left in them bones.

Remember there is always a good single malt to make things look better. Cheaper than prescription meds too!

[ramjet]

Thanks guys. Was a not-so-nice afternoon after seeing my GP.

 

Can't touch alcohol. The smallest bit makes an absolute mess of me and oddly it doesn't feel pleasant at all so I'm completely on the wagon.

[reebok]

Thats not so bad, there may be some interaction with meds too,

I used to have to make the choice between a drink or painkillers for thirty years. No more drugs of any description for me now.

But I do have a reduced 'need' for alcohol. Have substituted quality for quantity.