Greg has just had a stroke and is currently in hospital.
Hi Greg.
Here are more comments from the community which may help:
Kerrie Purkiss
Keep strong Greg I had suffered a mild stroke over a year ago I understand it's frustrating like I was take your time and deep breaths sending you healing hugs.
Garry Preston
Hi Greg. I had my stroke at 55 and I am now 68 and just retired a few months ago. I can understand because I had great concerns about how I was going to support my family. After lots and lots of rehabilitation I returned to work. Just be strong.
Tracey Morley Boyd
Sending you strength while you heal your brain and please rest and nap as it helps I’m 3 years post stroke and I still nap from the fatigue it’s hard at the start but with love and hard work you will get better.
Jan Cecchi
Hi Greg. My husband had a stroke 23 years ago at 53. Speech and word finding were affected. He saw a Speech Pathologist for a year and had to basically learn all his basic grade one words all over again. Now he does daily crosswords and is heavily involved with a local bowling club. You will be very tired initially. Make sue you have naps if you need them .Have a good balance of exercise and rest.. You and your family will adjust but it takes time. Keep your sense of humour. You may lose some friends and gain new friends but the ones you lose just couldn't be there for the tough times. Try to be optimistic. It will be hard work but celebrate every little milestone of improvement. Believe me that is so exciting. My hubby lost "music" after his stroke One morning he rang me to tell me that he could understand the song on the radio. I was in a meeting and everyone in the meeting had to endure my screams and happy tears. Once I explained why I was so excited they understood and often asked how he was doing. He can't read books now but loves old movies with captions. Just be prepared for life changes and adjustment. Good luck and enjoy the journey. The alternative would not be good.
Gemma Louise
You will be surprised what others can do for you when you thought you had to do it all. Please you you recover and let others help. It may be hard I know. But this will take longer for you to get than you think. This will be a slow process. Ask for help as well.
Suzan Francis
Take it easy look after yourself, Its amazing how families can manage when they need to. It's time for them to care for you.
Wal Flo Smith
Stay focused on your Rehab with Physio snd OT Believe in yourself that you will improve. The brain just has to find different pathways I also believe God is our strength and I called on that strength each day. Be encouraged. It is hard work but you can do it Greg xo
Helen Young
Rest and heal. Your brain has been through a lot and it will take time for it to make new connections. When your tired it's harder to get your words out too. Hold onto hope. You will get there. I'm nearly 9 years post stroke and I know from experience that things will get better for you.
Kruni Delinac
Focus on you Greg and get better. You will be back with your family once you heal. Sending best wishes.
KMichelle Bay
Hey Greg. Take it one day at a time. Focus on the things that are within your control, like making the most of rehab opportunities.
It will take time, but everything is going to turn out okay. With rehab you will make gains. You and your family will adjust to changed circumstances.
It’s REALLY hard, but it does get better.
If you have access to psych support through a rehab hospital or through an EAP in your workplace, it can help process grieving and challenging thoughts.
Jessica D'Lima
Deep breath, take it one hour at a time. It will improve. You will notice it get worse when you are tired or stressed. Rest how, give your brain time to recover and recuperate and slowly introduce training tasks to help. You have survived! You are strong…stroke won’t heat you!
Meliame Tauali'i - Fifita
All the best with your recovery. Just take one step at a time and don’t push it too hard. It’s going to be hard at times and you may feel like you’re riding on a roller coaster as it is a real shock for you and your family to go through this trauma. Just breathe and take it day by day
Michael White
Do all the rehab you can Greg I was in redcliffe stroke re hab for 4 months it was a struggle very frustrating the stroke team were unbelievable the nurses incredible I did another of speech therapy and physio and occupational therapy I never said no to any help even on the days when it feels impossible I still pushed myself to go and do whatever I could as you said your family need you to be as strong as you can at the moment I've been out of hospital for about 3months now I'm still doing rehab at community care its a long frustrating battle Gregyou need to be strong matedont let the negative thoughts in mate be as positive as you can hang in there buddy all the best
Katherine Madden
Sweetheart I had a stroke on the 22/07 this year. I am only 47 and lost all motor from the top of my shoulder to my toes. I have made an amazing recovery 15 weeks post stroke this Saturday, the hardest part to deal with is giving your brain time to heal. It doesn't happen straight away and I am still very much in recovery despite being deemed miraculous. I have returned to work, I am upright, I have full use of my upper body and I can walk with a stick. But as I have to keep explaining to people, I am forgetful now, some words, even though I can hear them on my head I can't say out loud, I have to wait for the word to come, sometimes this takes up to an hour not just minutes or seconds. I feel very anxious and have suffered panic attacks which never happened pre stroke. That's the invisible part. But on the flip side, I remained and still remain positive I will make a full recovery, I want my leg to work more than anything so I think about walking normally all the time, I dream of wearing heels again, and feeling whole as a person. This keeps me going and I guarantee was most of the reason I regained so much so quickly. Try practicing sentences in your mind then saying them out loud and keep reaching out, you now have a huge network of survivors to support you! Sorry for the long post, I just know exactly how you feel about being needed and relied upon. Rest and positive mindset will get you there that much quicker. Sending big love and hugs
Trish McIntosh-Udy
Keep strong. You can do this. You are a survivor and yes deep breaths, one step at a time.
Nicole Howard
That is exactly the way I was after my stroke at 42. I am now 51 and only get this way when I am fatigued or have lost concentration. It is frustrating but with time, it will get better. Just remember, be patient with yourself and your family will give you all the time you need. Speech therapy really helped me. Best of luck with your recovery
Cynthia Power
Jessica advice is so right.
Rest and give your brain time to recover.
Glenn A Browne
When I had mine I found video chats with friends helped my speech.
Sheryl Cross
It’s scary - but it takes time. My advice would be concentrate on yourself. Your family love you. You didn’t ask for this. Physiotherapy is the best. It’s frustrating learning to do the simple things again.
Please look after you - it’s tough .
Jenny Sellars
Communication is about much more than speech. There are other ways to get your message out-gestures, facial expressions etc and technology text to speak etc. It is just different. Keeping calm helps get your words out and lots of speech therapy.
David Crombie
Give it time, I am almost two years post stroke and have some physical deficits but am now getting back to the role I played in the family unit fay to day. Give it time and therapy I is your friend at this stage. Do whatever level you are able to do and set goals and work towards them. No I cannot do everything I used to do but there are many things I can still do so I do those things more now.
Keith Gough
There is a lot of help out there, just keep asking questions about where you can get help with your recovery from occupational therapists, any improvements you achieve keep working at it, you can continue to make progress
Val Becker
Time and rest. I used to read books a lot, but now I find myself unable to concentrate on them, but I found myself reading anything short and out loud, brochures, the back of a water bottle anything to practice my speech. Praise yourself for every little progress and have patience with yourself, if you can't do something, move on and try again later in the day or tomorrow...blessings
Sam Dawson
I understand completely- be patient your brain has suffered trauma & takes time to heal . Be determined and try to stay as calm as possible as with me when I got overawed or frustrated my speech went to poop . Pace yourself with speech therapy you’ll get there . But don’t try to rush it brain injuries need time
Kay Guascoine
It's going to take time. It's going to be frustrating for you - but be kind to yourself. Your brain has just been through a lot. Right now, you need to rest. Your speech pathologist and occupational therapist will be able to work with you on your stutter in time.
Cathy Zanella
Greg, the brain is working hard - and getting exhausted as it heals. Speech therapy is so important - and will give you strategies to help. One might be to slow down your speech a little bit. Maybe reading a book or magazine articles out loud may help you get your tongue around the words, and I’ve heard singing is also a good strategy. Some good info and tips in some of these replies. Be patient and work hard.
Cassy Collins
Determination
Angela Bloom
Allow yourself to heal
Peter N Melanie Barnard
Greg, it is a frightening time for you & your family, you will get better with time. Remain positive, listen to the experts, don’t try to push yourself too hard. Maintain your sense of humour.
I had my stroke 15months ago at the age of 54 as well, I went from 150% & very active to a complete 180 turnaround, it’s extremely frustrating, however focus on this; you are a stroke survivor NOT a stroke victim!!!
Be kind to yourself, easier said than done, trust me on that. It’s ok to not be ok!! You & your family will face challenges ahead, one day at a time & celebrate the fact, YOU ARE STILL HERE!!! A STROKE SURVIVOR.
Jan Cecchi
Peter N Melanie Barnard Fantastic overview
Jòhn Mùlcahý
Know hòw u feel
Di Shorland
The most important thing is to rest right now and let the connections heal. Both my mum and dad have had strokes, the ability to be kind to yourself and acknowledge the importance of listening to your body when it craves rest will play a big part in recovery. Be brave to be vulnerable, there are many hidden medical supports to you and your family to dig out and utilise. Ask lots of questions and don’t put on a brave face to the medical experts.
