Hi, @scottrl -- I was in hospital for 3 1/2 months (2 1/2 without being able to reach anything beyond my hospital bed), so I understand exactly what you mean about the isolation. If there's any way for members here to get in touch privately, I'll share my contact info, and you'll be welcome to reach out if you'd like.

To piggy back on your post, Scott: I recently attended a zoom Meetup group and the following question was posed: "How has the last three years (since Covid) changed your habits and other ways in the world?"
I gave it a lot of thought and my response was "To stay in touch with people more consistently and more often to let them know I care." Whenever I think of someone, even if it is someone I haven't spoken to, am not necessarily close to or haven't seen in years, I will reach out via a quick text, a card or phone call to ask how they are doing. Lesson learned: there is value in every situation, even pandemics.

@scottrl : I feel for you. I can't know what you went through, so I hope that the following doesn't grate on you, and apologies if it does (my motive is to help).

Two things struck me: "I should get out on my own more often, but I don't really have anyplace to go."
_______ I encourage you to go *anywhere* that's safe and within a reasonable distance, and open your eyes and ears to *everything* that's around you. If you're outdoors, observe the animals (4-legged and 2-legged). If you're indoors -- at a museum, for ex. -- take in what the venue has to offer and also do some people-watching. Isolation is an enemy -- I know this very, very well. (I live alone, and I've been so isolated that I'm excited about going to the infusion center tomorrow, where I'll see many cherished nurses and techs, whom I haven't seen for 3 mos. The infusion center!)
_______ An example of finding pleasure in the ordinary: I dislike being out in Nature and I dislike most bugs, but I was fascinated by a daddy longlegs who built ?her? web near my kitchen sink. I got to see her incapacitate a pantry-pest moth and start eating it; I got to see her in aggression mode when I accidentally hit the outside of her web; and I got to see her mate with another d.l. It was fascinating, and I felt lucky to be able to observe something new -- to observe something that reminded me of the strangeness, wonder, and immensity of Nature. To someone else, she was a pest to be destroyed; to me, she was a glimpse into something rich and previously unknown.

And this: "Things are getting better, but I feel as though I didn't have a stroke, but leprosy — someone to be avoided at all costs."
_______ About 30 years ago, a colleague noted that she found life to be a lot easier (and better) when she stopped attributing unkind or malicious or bad motives to others and instead assumed something neutral. Applying that here, I think it's probable that most people in your life simply didn't / don't know what to say to you and they're afraid of saying or doing something that will hurt or anger you, so they stay away. Or they intend to be in touch, but their own burdens and sorrows get in the way (we can never know what others are going through, even those whose lives look trouble-free on the surface).

Have you looked into a support group for others who had a stroke, who are recovering, who have recovered? Have you thought about working with a therapist once a week for several months? (You experienced something traumatic, and that doesn't simply evaporate.)

I can only imagine how frightening and depressing it was to experience a stroke and its aftermath, and I repeat that I write with concern and kindness, not criticism. I would like everyone to feel more at peace, less hurt, less angry -- for their own well-being. If I've strayed from the mission of "Just want to talk," I apologize profusely. Best wishes.

Isn’t leprosy contagious? Where would you have been exposed to it? Have you heard of others having this?