Heading towards my two year anniversary

January 24th 2021 I had a severe ischaemic stroke
The early morning dash to hospital in the ambulance and the subsequent treatment was a very scary time

I spent a month in hospital with total paralysis of my left side.

Year one was getting on my feet and son mobility, eventually went home to a care plan hospital bed a hoist butno tubes my swallowing working again
The first year was about the shock and grief at what had happened to me, went back to work in 7 months, though this ended acrimoniously and after 2 years feel able to seek the right role.
The nhs signed me off as soon as I was able to poorl walk so ended up employing a private physiotherapist who specialised in neuroscience and stroke which has made me do the basics much better.

At the beginning I used a commode for support then a quad stick moving to a single stick now. I can walk short distances without a stick but it’s not good.
As I enter year thre I hope the left leg pain will fall off and my vision on the left side improves. I have fallen 3 times all painful but still undeterred. My stamina is improving but having tried all neuropathy relief to no avail I use cosine and paracetamol for the pain.

Not all bad moved house to a more Suitable property, left a company I detested, found ou how many people love me and who are true friends and not.

By all accounts and fellow survivors I am only at the beginning so time for a new life in year two

This forum has supported my mental state and there are some truly wonderful people who use it and have helped me and others

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Thanks Lorraine and same best wishes for you and yours.
Hope 2023 sees some big gains , off to see a neurologist on the 31 to pick up where the nhs left me

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Hi, well done getting through your first 2 years whilst battling your way through covid as well.

Sounds like you’re doing a great job. I totally agree, this forum is a great help, always there to offer some words of wisdom and to help you get everything into perspective when it gets tough.

My 6 year anniversary is on 7th February when in 2017, I suffered a hemorrhagic stroke which paralysed my left side and I’m not sure how to feel. Hardly one to celebrate but giving myself a little pat on the back for not giving up and keeping up the physiotherapy even when I feel like I’m getting nowhere fast.

With the help of my amazing husband and my children and close friends and family, I am slowly making my way through my new life, whilst trying to look forward and not back, which we all know is easier said than done.

Keep up the good work and I hope that 2023 brings you some great achievements andvyou achieve the goals you are aiming for.

Best wishes for 2023

Regards Sue

Keep up

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I also had a severe hemorrhagic stroke on January 5 of 2021. I am sharing a lot of the same experiences that you have experienced when I got out of the hospital after five weeks I had a commode 3 feet from the bed that I couldn’t get to on my own, Now I am to the point where I can walk to the bathroom without a cane granted it’s not pretty and my leg still goes out to the side instead of going forward and bending like it should my left arm is slower in healing. My left leg is doing better than my left arm trying to rebuild connections in my brain . Telling the left side to talk to the left brain. As a way to alleviate depression, and create my own support for myself, I have been listening to Abraham hicks on YouTube. I’ve also been listening to Alpha waves to try to help my body to heal itself. On a positive note the other day I had an appointment for a CT scan and the technician who took me back to the waiting room had told me that she had a stroke seven years ago and that this was her first job since she had the stroke so that has given me hope that I am on my right path healing as my body allows. Stay positive know that you’re here for a reason even if that reason it’s just to help others that are in the same situation you’re in. I have used this for him several times when I needed emotional support. I hope it helps you to know that you are not alone in this. There are many survivors out there wishing you love and light and speedy healing.

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Sue you have survived and are getting back to your old life if but slowly. I have been told time means nothing post stroke with some taking 7 to 8 years to get well. So we both have a long road to travel but am convinced we will both make it to a good place.

Regards
Mark

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@mrfrederickson thank you for sharing your story. You have come a long way in those 2 years despite the frustrations at times.

I really hope you find a way to alleviate the pain you have as I know how debilitating it can be.

Good luck in your hoped for return to work. Sounds like a new job will be much better than your previous employment.

All the best.

Ann x

@CathyO welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have made some good progress in the last 2 years although probably not as quick as you’d have liked.

There is always hope for further recovery so keep going with any rehab.

Wishing you all the best.

Ann x

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Thank you so much for your response and your kind and encouraging words

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Well said Mr F. It is a frightening event and a long journey back to some semblance of ‘normality’. Keep on trying, though, despite the frustrations and regrets an sometimes downright anger. After 7 years I do more than I ever thought I’d do and at 79 I battle on.

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Seems like 7 to 8 years for severe strokes need to pas to recover to a semblance of living as before.

All credit to yo I I struggle as we all do every day and your successes are my inspiration.

@mrfrederickson your doing amazing keep it going you will see more benefits and improvements

In your new life I wish you well. I would like to suggest to you and everyone else, that if you’re mental health suffers even slightly, please self refer your self to Platform 1, they are a mental health charity who has trained councillors.
If you have any other issues , I suggest that you get an occupational therapist and get your needs assessed.

Sadly and apparently it’s to be expected I am going backwards in my overall feeling of wellness. The continual yawning and associated left arm spasms leave me uncomfortable and feeling not very well like a hangover,
This I have been told is par for the course over the recovery period by those who have suffered for many years. Hope it disappears soon and I can get back to a place of good health and progress

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I had a severe bleed in March 2021and have similar experience to you. I was in hospital for 9 weeks. Very fortunate to survive. Keep going I am now driving again. Spasms in my left arm have reduced. Still have issues with feeling dreadful in the morning’s.

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I’m sorry to hear about the recurring issues and all power to you for surviving the stroke, I understand from fellow survivors at the stroke association that this is to be expected and lived through, good luck

Completely understand the hangover example. Very rarely drink alcohol anymore. I really can’t complain. I sometimes forget how far I have come. Learning how to walk again and so much more. Keep persevering.

@Clyde123 welcome to this friendly forum. Sounds like you’ve made some good progress. Hopefully the feeling dreadful in a morning will ease in time.

To be fair it’s a small price to pay for still breathing. Sometimes it seems easier to focus on what I can’t do, rather more importantly what I can.

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Thanks for the kind message. Had a prior injury to my left shoulder pre-stroke ended up with a frozen shoulder. Which is not uncommon. Took a while to be diagnosed and then awaiting treatment. So have more use and just need to keep pushing myself. I have read some of your posts. Hopefully you are doing well.

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It doesn’t stop me continually asking how long before I’m well again , the lack of being able to measure repair of the brain is a medical failing which the doctor s cannot provide even consultant s are clueless, hopefully more research will help those yet to have a stroke.

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