How do you cope after your spouse has a stroke?

I wish I could offer some useful advice.

Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how long his recovery might take.

My stroke was nearly five years ago, and it doesn't look like I'll ever regain some of my lost movement, especially my right hand.

Other aspects, however, happened pretty quickly. Within six months I could take basic care of myself and was even starting to practice driving again. My speech was initially slurred, but it mostly got back to normal, too.

For the first year or two, I was very emotional -- laughing and crying easily, and very irritable -- but that stabilized. (Don't get me wrong. I still get frustrated and cranky, just not as bad. I'm in my 60s -- what guy that age doesn't get irritable?)

I wish you the very best, and as I said, I wish I had more helpful advice.

What outside resources do you have for help?

My son hired a patient advocate for us. She is helping me through the hurdles. I feel I need a support group locally. I'm in the early part of navigating all of these horrible changes. He has a long way to go to communicate. I'm trying to just take 1 day at a time. Thank you!

One day at a time is the only way to handle it.
For me, at first it was one *hour* at a time.

My caregivers initially told me that my recovery depended primarily on my determination and persistence. And let me tell you, they weren't kidding!

To find a local stroke support group, try here:
https://www.stroke.org/en/stroke-support-group-finder

For general support:
https://www.stroke.org/en/help-and-support/for-family-caregivers/stroke-family-warmline

Hang in there!

My husband had a stroke too. The first month home, I cried every day. The second month home, I found a support group but I was exhausted from caring for him and taking over all his chores. The third month, he refused to eat or drink. I ordered Ensure and Gatorade and called his male friends and relatives to reason with him. The 4th month, I taught him how to drive again with my supervision. He resented that. The 5th month, he started ignoring my advice and was generally rude and insensitive. I started crying jags again. At this point, I am just angry that I get no gratitude or affection yet I'm expected to solve every problem he has. What a journey!

I'm so sorry! It seems I'm on that journey too. I can't find any support groups by me. He won't eat either! Everything else except the driving is ditto for me!

Glad to read your all comments. I am the one that had a stroke, lost some eyesight and energy. My husband had a fall after that and needs a lot of help. He is a severe diabetic and gets lost, cannot figure his meds now, I have to do that and I am often very, very tired. I keep trying however and really have to work out my will before it's too late to do that. I've been putting it off. My energy and eyesight comes and goes, we have help come in 3x a week, we pay for that. It's not a good situation. I wish we had bought long term care insurance but we didn't. So now we do the best we can which runs short of really good. Take care, y'all.

A stroke during surgery at 39. Suffering from peripheral blindness in one eye. Does anyone know if there is a way to heal from this?

I have the same question. My husband has lost his peripheral vision on his right side. They can't seem to answer that because everyone is different. I'm so sorry that happened to you!

It happened to my son but I lost my husband and other son right before this! Made an appointment with U of Texas neuro ophlomologist , which is a hopeful idea. Stay with me; I may be able to help you after he goes.

My husband has had 2 strokes now, fortunately can still talk, walk with a cane and eat normally. He cannot drive because his vision was impaired and is very depressed. I do everything now and am exhausted most of the time. I just started going to a stroke support group locally which may help. How do you know when you hire help into your home that the person is trustworthy and honest? I feel this would help me get out occasionally but am afraid. We are both 70 and live in a nice area so don’t want to be taken advantage of. Any recommendations!