Briefly, here is my story so far. I believe I’m a stroke survivor. I say it like I think I am because I have been in hospital for the past week and half. What happened was that I was feeling woozy and faint at home for awhile, and then finally got a ride to the hospital. I had high blood pressure. It was hard to walk. They immediately brought me to ER and gave CT scan and all. It turned out to be swelling of cerebellum. Days late—in intensive care—they are saying I won’t need surgery after all and I am so lucky from this experience. Now, seven days later I am still here but the “lucky” part they refer to is that I am now coherent and was the whole time. In other words, I can speak and think and my memory is still with me. The problem is walking for me. Although, they did say that with time, that part will repair itself due to elasticity in people’s brain.
Another thing is that I am an expat living in China. Originally American. I have been here for ten years but still my language skills are dodgy. The hospital where I am is one of the best around (an international hotel based in the city of Suzhou) and the nurses and doctors are caring me meet me half way with communication. I do have some who cares for me, that is good (although cultural and language barriers get in way sometimes).
So, in many respects I am in a good condition. The hurdle I face is recovery. It seems everyone is optimistic about it, yet realistic at same time. It will take some time. As I said, I am cognitively aware of everything!; it’s just mobility. I haven’t lost memory or anything, although I am going to struggle with moves. And I was between jobs because it is summer.
Well, not to share with everyone my pity party, but wanted to get off my chest what is happening. Has anyone been in this situation? It is very particular. I also see many discussions around “strokes” in this forum, but I thought I’d start a fresh one instead of piggybacking on another….it fits in this instance.
Thank you for listening. I know it’s a lot, but as I said I wanted to get it off my chest unless it eats me up at night. Peace to you all.