Dear Michael
It is indeed a brain injury and yet it is hardly ever discussed. I tell people I have a brain injury but they (a) dont believe me and(b) assume I am mentally retarded.
I have seen the images of a small area of my brain that has been killed off. An infarct in medic speak. This dead bit isnt ever going to heal. But the amazing brain will work around hat dead bit. Neuroplasticity in medic speak.
If I had my foot amputated then everyone will understand. But as its inside the head no one understands other than a fellow SS.
So you are quite right, the infarct is a wound.
I also took ages to fathom out that there was "the stroking" when the brain was dieing off. Probably less than a couple of hours. Then there was the medical settling, for me just five days, at which stage I was signed off medically. Then there was the rehab, which is in hospital until I had some capability then at home for the rest. The rehab does include some sort of convalescing when we learn how to cope with the brains damage.
The rehab is also when the brain is mending itself by rewiring so you are quite right, this is a form of healing. This part doesnt seem to have a recognzed beginning nor end and Im blowed if I can work out how I am ment to negotiate this stage.
Stroke is the cinderella illness. So little research. At last there are signs of interest in the brain functions, too late for you and me.
I have noticed loads of odd effects. The tooth thing is the most noteable but I get odd reaction all over. And that includes internal organs complaining or possibly just giving signals of complaint. SF is not understood and was hardly recognized by the medical profession until a few years ago. The terminology of "post stroke tiredness" is an insult. How I wish it was just tiredness, I might get a life back !
Then there is the timescale for recovery. I hope you are one of the "many months" survivors, when recovery is quick. But many of us are in the "many years" when recovery is slow. Im not sure that recovery ever will be complete.
I get a few moments when the SF clears. This has been just a few days in the past three years. I am hoping for more clear days and thenpermanent clear days, but I am not holding my breath.
So much for us SS to learn. So much.
Best wishes
Colin