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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rayww on July 26, 2005, at 10:24:57
Has anyone suffered a slight stoke that wiped out part of their left brain, and then had to relearn the things you were having trouble with before? Like your basic routines, cooking, cleaning, that sort of stuff? I feel like my whole life has changed course, only I don't know where to get on at, so I would rather just give up and quit. I have a loving, supportive family, all of them, but I am home alone nearly every day, don't want to go out, for fear I'll have to socialize with someone. It takes energy, more than anyone realizes, just to do the basics. and I have to think everything through because I am developing new brain trails. A good day wipes me out for several days afterward. I hate this. How is the best way to deal with stroke? I'm on pills to prevent another one from happening, and I've seen a doctor a few times, but it's not enough. I need friends that I don't have to speak to if that makes sense. My husband tries, but is too busy right now. I hate to complain about myself, and believe me it takes a lot of courage to just write this here, but I feel as though I have died inside, yet I am very much alive.
Posted by B2chica on July 26, 2005, at 10:58:44
In reply to stroke, posted by rayww on July 26, 2005, at 10:24:57
sooo sorry about your difficulties. a left hemi stroke usually affects language, expressive or receptive. you seem to sound quite good with your writing skills, does it effect you when you try to speak to others? or understand others? about your fear about socializing. you are not alone in this, however it doeens't make it any easier for you.
i see why you feel your whole life has changed course. maybe not it's course but it has changed.
i do understand the extreme difficulty probably both physically and mentally to do everyday things. are you in any therapy (physical, speech, occupational, psychological)? these are all tools that should help you transition, especially occupational since it is the everyday things you seem to be struggling with.
just know that you've experienced a traumatic incident and should receive assistance in your recovery. it's traumatic for you and your family and just as it is taking time for you to adjust, it is taking them time also. However, you can't focus on their issues, only focus on yours. it's time for you know. push forward.
i can't answer the best way to 'deal' with a stroke cuz different attitudes work for different people but i'd say take charge of it. if a good day wipes you out for two- that's ok, remember the one good day, every good day improves you three steps and two wipe out days only equals a half step back, cuz you are physically and mentally tired. you will be, that doesn't mean a set back at all.and you most certainly ARE ALIVE!!!!!
best wishes
b2c.
Posted by Dinah on July 26, 2005, at 12:11:57
In reply to stroke, posted by rayww on July 26, 2005, at 10:24:57
I'm sorry, Ray. I didn't know that you had had a stroke.
I think it's perfectly normal to feel all the things you're feeling, and to be frustrated and angry on top of it. Do you have a therapist you can talk about these things with? It's sometimes hard for those who love us most to be helpful at these times.
I haven't experienced it myself, but I did go through it with my Dad. And I can say most definitely that things got a whole whole lot better over time as far as damage from the stroke went. The brain is a remarkably resilient thing, considering how delicate and complex it is. I am forever awed with its creator.
Things may or may not ever be exactly as they were before, but they will get better. And maybe just as good, but in a different way.
I know how cheerless that can sound. Believe me. But I also know that we share a basic faith in God that goes far beyond mere belief. I hope that that can help in this time.
Remember not to cut yourself off from Him or from the people are part of God's self correcting world. No matter what you're feeling - angry, frustrated, happy, whatever, the posters at Babble, and many people IRL, will listen and understand.
Posted by pinkeye on July 26, 2005, at 13:49:26
In reply to stroke, posted by rayww on July 26, 2005, at 10:24:57
Hi Ray,
I am really sorry to hear about your stroke.. That must have been extremely hard to take. I am happy that you have supportive family, but I know how hard it is to deal with illness even when our family is supportive..There are perhaps certain things you can do - meditation helps me gather my thoughts and focus and gives me a starting point for the day. Plus, if you can hire someone or ask some friends to come out and help you in the first few days and retrain you, like walk you through the basics of some things like cooking, it might help you feel better. IF your husband is busy, ask some voluntary organization for support or help.. or some extended family member who can spare a day or two.. Is that possible?
> Has anyone suffered a slight stoke that wiped out part of their left brain, and then had to relearn the things you were having trouble with before? Like your basic routines, cooking, cleaning, that sort of stuff? I feel like my whole life has changed course, only I don't know where to get on at, so I would rather just give up and quit. I have a loving, supportive family, all of them, but I am home alone nearly every day, don't want to go out, for fear I'll have to socialize with someone. It takes energy, more than anyone realizes, just to do the basics. and I have to think everything through because I am developing new brain trails. A good day wipes me out for several days afterward. I hate this. How is the best way to deal with stroke? I'm on pills to prevent another one from happening, and I've seen a doctor a few times, but it's not enough. I need friends that I don't have to speak to if that makes sense. My husband tries, but is too busy right now. I hate to complain about myself, and believe me it takes a lot of courage to just write this here, but I feel as though I have died inside, yet I am very much alive.
Posted by Tamar on July 26, 2005, at 16:01:02
In reply to stroke, posted by rayww on July 26, 2005, at 10:24:57
I'm so sorry to hear about your stroke. Unfortunately I don't have any practical advice about strokes, but I know it can be very difficult to adjust to reduced physical capabilities. It changes your whole sense of who you are. Yeah, friends you don't have to speak to are very precious! It'll take you a while to figure out the changes in your sense of identity, so I imagine it would help if you had people around you who can be understanding about the things that are changing and at the same time privide a sense of continuity and remind you that you are still you.I know you say you don't want to complain, but maybe you really need to complain. Something terrible happened to you and it's changed your life dramatically. If that isn't something to complain about, I'd like to know what is! I honestly think that anger is an important and inevitable part of beginning to cope with a serious illness, and surely you have every reason to feel angry and fed up.
I hope your brain trails develop as quickly as possible, and while they're developing don't exhaust yourself. You need to take good care of yourself while you recover. Is there any way you can get someone else to do the cleaning? That's surely something you could do without at the moment.
Hope you're feeling better soon.
Tamar
Posted by rayww on July 26, 2005, at 17:40:26
In reply to Re: stroke » rayww, posted by Tamar on July 26, 2005, at 16:01:02
Thank-you, everyone of you have given me good ideas, I guess, meaning I'm just not sure, meaning that part of my brain isn't alive yet. This happened over a month ago and it is so wierd. But I've about had it with watching TV. I know what needs done, but I don't seem to care. It's not depression, it's just wierd. But your responses did lift me. You didn't just ignore the problem and ask me if I'm 100% yet. And then I didn't just smile and say "yes".
Posted by rayww on July 28, 2005, at 13:44:13
In reply to Re: stroke, posted by B2chica on July 26, 2005, at 10:58:44
> sooo sorry about your difficulties. a left hemi stroke usually affects language, expressive or receptive. you seem to sound quite good with your writing skills, does it effect you when you try to speak to others? or understand others?
<it takes more effort to listen and speak, and also type. Movement is slower, and though it isn't obvious I feel like rather than flowing smoothly, everything comes out in segments, like the cartoon has slowed down considerably.
> i see why you feel your whole life has changed course. maybe not it's course but it has changed.
> i do understand the extreme difficulty probably both physically and mentally to do everyday things. are you in any therapy (physical, speech, occupational, psychological)? these are all tools that should help you transition, especially occupational since it is the everyday things you seem to be struggling with.<we live outside the range for much of that, and even if we did, I would likely choose to go it alone anyway. I mean, what can they do, this just takes time doesn't it?
> just know that you've experienced a traumatic incident and should receive assistance in your recovery. it's traumatic for you and your family and just as it is taking time for you to adjust, it is taking them time also. However, you can't focus on their issues, only focus on yours. it's time for you know. push forward.
< what is time anyway?
> i can't answer the best way to 'deal' with a stroke cuz different attitudes work for different people but i'd say take charge of it. if a good day wipes you out for two- that's ok, remember the one good day, every good day improves you three steps and two wipe out days only equals a half step back, cuz you are physically and mentally tired. you will be, that doesn't mean a set back at all.
< I'm going to try really hard to remember this
Thank-you B2
Posted by rayww on July 28, 2005, at 13:53:42
In reply to Re: stroke » rayww, posted by Dinah on July 26, 2005, at 12:11:57
> I think it's perfectly normal to feel all the things you're feeling, and to be frustrated and angry on top of it. Do you have a therapist you can talk about these things with? It's sometimes hard for those who love us most to be helpful at these times.
>< No, I basically don't, and other than lead me through the basics, I dont' know what they could do.
> I haven't experienced it myself, but I did go through it with my Dad. And I can say most definitely that things got a whole whole lot better over time as far as damage from the stroke went. The brain is a remarkably resilient thing, considering how delicate and complex it is. I am forever awed with its creator.
>< Not sure I have been blessed with enough umph to push ahead.
> Things may or may not ever be exactly as they were before, but they will get better. And maybe just as good, but in a different way.
< I've already recognized some of that. I read more now, watch tv, sit at the computer, much less stressed, more relaxed than before. Could these be positive changes????
>
> I know how cheerless that can sound. Believe me. But I also know that we share a basic faith in God that goes far beyond mere belief. I hope that that can help in this time.
>< That was nice of you to acknowledge.
> Remember not to cut yourself off from Him or from the people are part of God's self correcting world. No matter what you're feeling - angry, frustrated, happy, whatever, the posters at Babble, and many people IRL, will listen and understand.< I guess that's the hardest part of all. I don't phone people like i used to for obvious reasons, come to think about it, I don't do anything for people either, and my whole life was people centered, service centered before.
Maybe this is the best place for now, right here.
Posted by rayww on July 28, 2005, at 13:55:58
In reply to Re: stroke » rayww, posted by pinkeye on July 26, 2005, at 13:49:26
Thanks pinkeye, I'll try the meditation, if I can think of something to meditate about....
Posted by rayww on July 28, 2005, at 14:01:41
In reply to Re: stroke » rayww, posted by Tamar on July 26, 2005, at 16:01:02
Tamar, you are a dear. Your words brought tears to my eyes, which I haven't felt for awhile. Maybe once I get past this phase of anger/self pity, whatever it is, I'll be more able to focus outside of myself. That's what is bothering me the most, all this "me" stuff.
This is the end of the thread.
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