From wheelchair to hiking, to cycling to playing squash

I had a cerebellum ischaemic stroke 5 years ago at the age of 66 so I am now 71 years old. My stroke was caused by stopping self medicated aspirin. I was also stressed as I had a drawn out workers compensation case and I was on medication for blood pressure so this may also have been a factor. Anyway my blood pressure is normal now.

I always liked exercise when I was younger rode a bicycle to work and back a total distance of 20 kilometres. I would either do a 10 kilometre jog or 1 kilometre swim on the days I rode to work. I did this from age 25 to when I retired at about 63 years of age.

My wife and I were also in a bushwalking club that we ceased participating in when we had children.

When they were teenagers I went trekking in Tasmania or overseas and my last overseas trek was in 2015 in Nepal.

I played B grade competitive squash from about 25 to 45 years old which I really enjoyed ( There was A grade to G grade in descending order of ability. ) I stopped playing squash due to a back injury caused by another activity.

After my stroke I used a wheel chair for 3 weeks and a walking stick for 9 months. I then did balance exercises for an hour every day for a year. Neuroplasticity developed and I regained my balance. My balance was recently assesses and it is better for my age.

At my 2 year stroke anniversary I hiked for 5 days on the coast about 200 kilometres south of Perth with my son.

This son also helped me with bike riding as I had problems such as I felt I would fall off if I turned my head to check for cars or changed gear. But I now ride normally with the Over 55 Cycling group in Perth. There are about 5 people in our section and we ride about 30 kilometres once a week. I go riding by myself about 2 times per week.

My stroke cured my back pain. I postulate my stroke destroyed my pain nerves to this part of my back or the medication I am on for my stroke has an anti inflammatory effect.

Any way I have played squash twice now with members of the local squash club. I last played squash about 30 years. I played squash yesterday and finished at 6 pm. Unfortunately I can’t sleep now and I have been awake since 2 am. Maybe It was the exercise or something I ate, My stroke affected my sleeping and initially I only slept 5 hours, but normally sleep 8 hours. Maybe I should play squash around midday.

Finally I have been extremely fortunate with the outcome of my stroke. But I think I was lucky my balance was mainly effected and neuroplasticity developed over time because of the exercises an hour a day for a year. I am also grateful for the help from my family.

It is now 4:30 am and I still can’t sleep. I am watching RAGE on the ABC and enjoy the music and videos.

Enough of my early morning rave.

Ian.