I have been reflecting recently on my journey so far and am sharing my thoughts. Looking back, the first year seems almost surreal: The stroke, the dash to A&E that I cannot remember; being brought back to my home county by ambulance wondering if I would ever get home again; my tearful partner; rehab; the hard work of getting through each day; the dreadful fatigue; the battle to walk; seeing how much muscle had wasted away through being bedbound.
The second year was all about exercise: constant exercise, over and over again; getting back to socialising, but finding conversation hard. Mixed emotions, made worse by having two cataract operations and two hearing aids; combatting the feelings of being not very useful and being unable to do things; writing poetry to put these feelings into writing; battling on regardless of occasional falls and wobbly legs.
Year three: ability to do more things; my weak leg suddenly improving out of the blue; changing my diet; the sudden ability in my exercise classes to do some exercises without having to hold the back of a chair for balance; an improvement in what I can do around the home.
At 75, I know Time is not on my side and I regret the last three years have seen my effort totally focussed on recovery, but great joy that I am still here. My resolution is to battle on to the very end. I refuse to see myself as a victim!
Thank you for sharing your summary. Your huge efforts, especially year two, have paid dividends.
Above all you and i are survivors. We lived when many passed away. I join you in assuring those recently bitten, that things do get easier. Ever so slowly, we do get recovery to our new selves. Not the old selves, but new people,
You are an inspiration to us all John. Like you, I refuse to give in but sometimes I feel I have little fight left in me. Yesterday was a bad day but today, much better. Life is like a yo-yo rather than a box of chocolates but I'm still so grateful I survived.
Hi JJM, we're all very thankful that you have been willing to battle through these years, we have all benefitted from your wise words and wonderful anecdotes ?. You and Colin are like a reference library to me, I always look out for your posts knowing that I will be informed and entertained. All good wishes for the years ahead xx
Thank you. Every survivor and their carers know that post stroke recovery is a roller coaster. Just lately, thank God, I feel more ‘alive’. That sounds silly, but all it means is I can do more daily tasks, albeit small ones. There is still a lot I cannot do, especially with my weak hand, but that is no excuse for doing nothing. I am now accepting that to do things more slowly is more productive than doing something quickly but disasterously. Mind you, the swearing can still turn the air blue at times.
Stroke recovery certainly is the most unpredictable of roller coasters, and I've never been a fan of roller coasters ?. I feel really pleased and excited for you, so glad that you are in a good place and able to do more of the things that you enjoy.
My husband's challenges have been very different to yours, and his efforts are all taken up with running his business, leaving him very little energy for anything else. However I remain hopeful that he will be able to do more in the future, and reading stories, such as your own, on this site gives me encouragement and belief that things will always get better.
I don't drink during the working week, but have raised a cup of coffee instead, to celebrate with you! Now just have to work on the swearing!!
Hope you're feeling more positive. You too have given advice and support through your posts. For example without you I wouldn't have discovered my pillow spray. Thank you so much. I suppose as you say if life's a yoyo we wouldn't know the highs without the low grrr! Hang in there!
Good morning @John_Jeff_Maynard. This is brilliant. It is a great start to my day. Thank you @mrfrederickson for unearthing it it is inspiring indeed. Julia x