Had an ischemic stroke last May that affected my right side

Welcome to a club no one wants to join.

I had a left-side ischemic stroke on Christmas Eve, 2018.

6-1/2 years later (almost to the day), I still have "deficits", almost exclusively motor skills. (I type one-handed, for example.)

I have been chronicling my journey "From Recovery to Discovery" on YouTube in an ongoing series of five-minute episodes (plus some less-serious stuff):
https://www.youtube.com/@srlucado/
There you'll find references to my emotional struggles. I would laugh, cry. get angry, pout, giggle, rant -- all without my being able to turn it on or off.

That persisted for a while, then faded after a year or 18 months.

Do not give up, not ever. It's tough, but nobody recovers without a lot of work. A stroke scrambles your entire brain, not just the affected area. It takes time to heal, and there's no way to predict it, and certainly no way to rush it.

I started by being grateful for what I didn't lose. I've stayed that way for all this time. It helps a lot. Remember, there are billions of people around the planet who'd trade places with you in a heartbeat.

Besides, you might find new opportunities. In my case, I have given talks about my experience, and have even been on local TV in Dallas/Fort Worth for a couple "Dad Jokes" I wrote! Not bad for a guy with a hole in his brain, right?

You might look for a Stroke Support Group in your area:
https://www.stroke.org/en/stroke-support-group-finder
I joined one near me, and it helps a lot. It can be beneficial just to be in a room of people who are definitely sympathetic and empathetic.

Good luck. You can do this.

Same thing happened to me last month:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-had-an-ischemic-stroke-saturday-blood-clot-on-right-side-of-brain/
And I've also had a few crying spells, too. Looking forward to physical and occupational therapy starting next week. Did you have therapy?

Thank you so much for the encouragement! It was received and greatly appreciated. Blessings to you and your family.

I had physical & psychological therapy only. I'm realizing that it takes time to completely heal; some longer than others.
I'm just glad to know it's not all in my mind that after a year, I still have some issues!

I’ve been in a wheelchair for the past month. Looking forward to being able to walk again. It’s hard being dependent on the aides.
Were you also in a wheelchair at first?

I also have had many left and right hemisphere ischemic strokes and many issues getting back to myself. I have aphasia, but its getting better than it was for sure! I had bad balance issues and thinking was all mixed up for awhile too. I do have a few dead area's now in the brain though. I get confused easily now and forget things a lot. I have Connective Tissue Disease as well, Sleraderma can cause them, but my neurologist put me on a 10 mg Statin to be safe. I had many MRI'S and echograms as well to try and see why... Nothing , but I'm thinking its the Connective Tissue disease causing the small blood vessels to make the strokes happen. It is very dramatic and draining for me too. I hope you don't have more.. This has been going on for me for about 5 years now. Started at 61 after I had Covid shots and antibodies given to me. I really believe it caused my Connective Tissue disease. Its incurable and my Raynouds disease is terrible now too. Take care!!

No; just walking with a cane. Many blessings to you on your journey to recovery.

Wow! It seems you've been through a lot! Thanks for sharing your struggle with me. May the good Lord bless and keep you.

Thank you. Life gives whatever it wants to each of us.. Take care and God bless you.