Hi everyone just want to say hi. My name is Elsa and I had a stroke in my left side of Brain therefore affecting my right side . I’m able to walk but I have spasms and it’s so irritating. I was an RN and I worked hospice prior to my stroke. My doctor doesn’t want me working for another 6 months. I have 4 children and my husband been out of work due to Covid. So just venting . I’m happy to have found this forum and am excited to get to know some of you.
Hi Elsa, welcome! Your story is somehow similar to mine, but not here to give you advice. Just sharing my experience:
1) try to make a plan of action (what to do when) and follow it,
2) focus on important things first (recovery, mental health, finance, legal stuff),
3) don't be shy to ask for help (family, friends) - soon enough you'll know who wants/can actually help you,
4) re walking, I did go to a heated pool (waist deep) and would walk up and down the pool to strengthen my muscles (you can't fall and hurt yourself). Alternatively, walking up and down a few stairs (hold on to something)
Take care
Elsita you have every reason to vent . Stroke hits at any age. For me it was 77 and for you 31For your husband without work due to covid. Another loss . Such tough times for you and family. Keep at your rehab exercises as you will notice positive changes along the way. Post stroke I was left with weak left side. July last year I suffered a. Small heart attack. That meant more rehab of 10 weeks . My walking improved greatly. I believe rehab is continuous and worthwhile.
be kind to yourself. I wish you well with rehab. JENNY
Welcome Elsa,
I agree with Michael.
It's tempting to push to bring normality back into life. However, I found this can inhibit recovery in the long term.
I was desperate to return to work and probably rushed this. I found mental fatigue to be the biggest issue. In hindsight I should have had a slower graduated return to work.
Hi Michael! Thank you. It’s so hard to sit still sometimes because I’m so used to always going and going. I actually got lazy with working out because I was feeling so down. Today I feel better. I really appreciate it.
Hi Jenny! You are such an inspiration, thank you for sharing. Many blessings to your rehab and your health.
Hi Andrew! I was crazy about going back to work, my doctor thought I was crazy, but I really notice that I have a lot to go cognitively. We need the money though so it’s h
Hello Elsita, I had my stroke on the 21st of August 2018. I was 48 at the time. Like you, it affected my right side. I still have some lingering problems, but I am back to working and babysitting my grandson one day a week. Did you know that most superannuation has inbuilt sickness and accident insurance? I didn’t know at the time of my stroke, my manager told me about it. There was a waiting period of about 3 mths from the date of the stroke, before I could apply, but then I was eligible and did receive payments. It wasn’t a full wage, but it helped. I hope you continue to improve, it will just take rest, patience and time. Remember our brains have survived a major trauma. God bless.
Hi Elsita, forgot to mention, look for a stroke support group close to where you are. It helped me as you meet other stroke survivors and you speak the same 'language'. Take care!
Hi Elsita, forgot to mention that reading helped me as well. Understanding our brain, knowing what happened to it (us) and how we can heal. Books written by fellow stroke survivors: David Roland and Emma Gee. Also, 'The Brain's Way of Healing' by Norman Doidge. Not sure if you heard of Luminosity (free on-line brain games - you can see your progress when doing it on a regular basis). Some would argue that it gets repetitive. Worth a try. Take care!
