My Stroke… the Remaking of Me.

An interesting headline for me to mark what will be the sixth anniversary of my discharge from Bankstown Hospital on 11 August 2016 following a 4 month stay after I sustained a Left Lacunar Stroke.

Okay, you forwards give the ball to the backs and gather in close and pay attention

As you may be aware Thrill Seekers and Fellow Time Travellers, I have marked the anniversary of both my arrival and departure from Bankstown with an epistle to mark what has become a life changing episode.

This year my message will have a slightly different theme.

Yes, I will review what I consider have been the highlights of the last 12 months; yes, I will continue to express my perpetual gratitude to the people who have been with me on my Odyssey; people who helped me repair the damaged parts and the special friends who have bolstered my spirits on my journey.

A diverse crew of clinicians, family, friends, long lost workmates and 2 special gentlemen in Melbourne

My theme this year is focused on the person I have become and how what happened six years ago has resulted in the person I am today.

My stroke Is now part of my DNA- both in a physical, mental, and spiritual sense.

It does not define me, yet in some ways it does.

Since that fateful April evening I have come to realise that if I were going to inhabit this Terra Firma I would have to make substantive changes to my life and lifestyle.

Aspects like my diet- which was described by my best mate [a GP] as an exercise in personal abuse, my smoking, my total lack of exercise and my addition to a workaholic’s lifestyle.

These have all been eradicated from my life

I have now adopted a rigid regime of exercise, which I have documented on several occasions in my blogs.

People who see me regularly have told me that I am much more relaxed, more tolerant, and less aggressive in my dealings.

Unfortunately, Thrill Seekers and Fellow Time Travellers the Pre-Stroke corporate Brian was not a nice person. What mattered to me in those days was- Getting the done, whatever the cost.

Achieving those KPI’s \{Key Performance Indicators\} was a key motivator for me.

It was in the Rehab Gym that I discovered/rediscovered the importance of being part of a team.

So, as I sit here in my office with a Bach Cello Concerto playing softly, I am in awe of the journey that I have experienced over the past 6 years.

To the message at hand

Six years on, I feel that I have achieved much.

I have improved, out of sight, in terms of my physical capabilities. My walking, my stepping exercises. This progress would not have happened without the strength of a group of people, who have my undying gratitude.

I have to mention Laura King, Fin Low and Simone Dorsch- they are special!

The others know who they are. I don't want to embarrass them by missing someone's name, but to them I will always be in their debt.

As I move forward, in the years ahead I want more of the same.

And I will continue to \{ the best of my ability\} strive to achieve these goals.

To everyone who has given me so much a genuine Thank you.

As Cicero stated-

Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues,

but the parent of all the others.

Keep moving towards Enlightenment….For that is where the answers lie

Brian A Beh

A Stroke Survivor.