My Rehab Journey-Part 2- Brian A. Beh.

It is 10.30 am on 11 August 2016 and having just said my farewells to my companions for the past 16 weeks , I am about to re-join the world outside the domain of the Bankstown Stroke Ward.

It was finally Discharge Day - tearful, emotional, and yet oddly uplifting because these people, the nurses the doctors, rehab staff and my fellow patients have been with me during my rehab journey following my stroke in April 2016.

Sitting in my car being driven home I was filled with trepidation, mixed with excitement and a certain feeling of sadness. Sadness because my dog Zara, a 10-year-old Spitz had died because of kidney failure whilst I was in hospital.

For the past 4 months, there was a high degree of regimentation and order in my day- woke at 7am, shower, shaved and other ablutions, consumed something that resembled breakfast, then into the wheelchair and down to the rehab gym at 8.30,dress group at 11.00 then lunch at 12.30 , then back to the gym at 1.30 till 4.30, back to the ward; family arrive at 5,30,family leave at 7,30., check emails blogs then lights out at 9.00pm

This was my routine Mon- Friday for 16 weeks!

I embraced the routine but as I neared my home I realised that I would miss it- but in its place would come the routine of family, my home and together we would begin Stage 2 of my rehab,

The support systems that were available in hospital were absent , so my family became part time physios ;I required assistance with bathing, dressing and meal preparation.

But I was determined not to be a burden, I modified my behaviour, so I was able to partly overcome these new hinderances in my life.

I could still type with my left hand, garden with my left hand. Sadly, driving was a thing of the past, so in2019 I sold my car[ a 2018 Mercedes 220] and got an Opal Card!!

I visited Outpatients every fortnight and started walking-initially the length of the garage[10 metres]; then the length of the driveway[50 metres],then round the block[750 metres] to my current walking[12-16kms] per day. To achieve this daily goal, I walk 16 kms in 3, 1-hour blocks.

My diet is stroke friendly; after 40 years no cigarettes and no alcohol-almost angelic!!

I keep busy mentally, I had over 500 emails and messages of support from all over the world, which I replied to- those messages were truly humbling and some of the sentiments caused the odd tear to flow! Still receive 100 plus messages a week.

Today, I am at peace with the world, I am happy in my skin and greet each new day as a bonus!!

I am a voracious reader listen to obscure choral and classical music,60s rock and country music. Do not suffer fools and f@!wits, enjoy the solitude of my walks and the beauty of nature.

I am a Beethoven and Bach tragic!!

MY REHAB JOURNEY CONTINUES---Stay tuned thrill seekers for Part 3 -where I outline what I am doing in the ‘Stroke Industry’