T’was a Night Like Tonight - 312 Weeks Ag
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This coming Sunday night marks the sixth anniversary of my Left Lacunar Stroke on 18 April 2016 [8.30 pm] to be precise]- when without warning the entire right side of my body went AWOL. And my life changed in a nano-second!
As I write this. I am sitting in my home office [the very spot my stroke occurred] tapping away on my faithful laptop, looking out on a somewhat chilly Autumn evening, and musing on what a journey it has been since that fateful evening.
As is my habit there being beautiful music playing softly in the background please click on this link and enjoy
It has become my normal behaviour on this anniversary to recall the night, my speedy trip to the hospital, dramas in the ED, the accompanying 4 month stay and subsequent journey highlights – so you are perfectly entitled to roll your eyes and mutter to yourself “Here he goes again”
But not tonight, Fellow Time travellers and Thrill Seekers!
Tonight, I want to spend some of your precious time talking about those wonderful people who have been with me on my Rehab journey over the past six years.
People who through their skills put Humpdey Dumpty back together again, enabling me to walk out of the hospital 4 months later.
Admittedly I flopped into a wheelchair as soon as I was out of sight, but I was determined to walk out under my own steam!
First and foremost was my family- they have been with me all the way, encouraging, goading [Hehe], ensuring my exercises were done, Any sign of slacking off was met with a stern rebuke- the made sure I did not weaken when I was tempted to eat that piece of food which was not under that category of ‘A Stroke Friendly Diet’ or to sneak that can of Coke out of the fridge!
Also, at the forefront of my Rehab journey were the clinicians who were there from the moment I was trundled into the ED, the doctors, nurses, and the Stroke Clinicians who were [and still are] simply magnificent in the manner that they carried out their tasks not only during my tenure in the hospital but to the present day!
I will not name them because I will omit someone’s name and that would be a bloody shame, but they know who they are if they happen to read this.
As news spread of my mishap my email box was bombarded by hundreds of messages [836 to be exact] from all over the world, which I can proudly say I have now answered.
This response was truly mind-blowing! And totally humbling
I have reconnected with old school friends,2 incredibly special gentlemen from Italy whose support I value, long lost work mates whom I now correspond on a regular basis.
All of which is testament to the fact that whilst medicine and its associated skills are powerful elixirs, an awfully close second is the power and strength of the support you receive from friends and family during the curative process.
So, on this special occasion, I salute you all – you have my perpetual gratitude.
As Theophrastus, the Greek philosopher and a mate of Aristotle once said
”
True Friends visit us in prosperity only when invited
but in adversity they come without invitation.”
Go peacefully towards Enlightenment- It is worth it!
Cheers
Brian A Beh, Stroke Survivor
Lifelong Member of the Hopalong Cassidy Fan Club
Poet, Philosopher and Child of the Cosmos
Winner "Improving Life After Stroke" Category
Stroke Foundation of Australia 2021 National Awards.