Thanks, Colleen, for including me in this discussion.

After my stroke, I had some brief episodes of aphasia, but they went away after about a year. I would sometimes get dehydrated, get a migraine, and be unable to speak for a while; I would just babble. After rest and some water, I'd be okay.

Now I have some issues with recall, but nothing unusual for my age (mid-60s).

I also had some severe leg cramps/spasms. They hurt so bad I would nearly cry out in my sleep. But they, too, have diminished.

Last fall, when I gave a talk at Texas Christian University's Davies School of Communication Sciences and Disorders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldx663nsRz0 ), professors there told me I was very lucky not to have severe speech deficits, given the location of my infarct.

Stay vigilant with the struggle. After five years, I'm still improving, however slowly.

Yes Charlie horses at night. Even after 900 mg lyrica.