Let's "Talk" About Aphasia

Aphasia is a word that you might not hear very much unless you or a family member are affected by this disorder. You can learn more on the Mayo Clinic website http://mayocl.in/1LRdio6. Aphasia affects a person’s way of communicating both verbally and in written language. It often follows a stroke but can also be a result of a brain tumor or other neurological disease like MS. While a person with Aphasia might not be able to communicate well, it does not affect their intellect, so there is no need to talk-down, or talk too loud, to a person with Aphasia. To learn more about this disorder please read the Mayo website and become aware of this communication problem that many people share. When you encounter a person who does not communicate effectively realize that they are probably as frustrated as you are.

The National Aphasia Association (NAA) has a list of books on their website that were written by people with Aphasia (and their caregivers) which explore this disorder first hand. Here is information about the books they suggest, https://www.aphasia.org/aphasia_resources/books/ During the month of June, please get to know about Aphasia and how it affects your friends, neighbors and family members.

I am tagging Mayo Connect members who have discussed their Aphasia. We would enjoy hearing from you with an update as to how you are doing and what has helped you (or frustrated you) as you deal with Aphasia. @mkf1 @gremeika @marieelise @KMH
Teresa

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

Hello @rosez, I'm glad to hear that your husband is seeing a speech therapist, that is a good start! I suppose that his/her idea to correct your husband when he makes a mistake in his speech is his/her opinion but might not be the right approach for your husband at this time, especially if he seems frustrated at your attempts to do so.

Has the speech therapist suggested reading out loud? This can be a gentle way to get a speech problem corrected. If your husband likes to read something in particular, whether it is magazines, newspapers, or books, you could both read out loud together, taking turns (perhaps a paragraph at a time) and see if this helps him to have better speech. Has your husband had surgery or other treatment for this brain tumor? If so, how long ago was that?

@verilee1776, Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. You are right, each individual situation is so different and everyone must find their own way.

Here is a video with suggestions that you might find helpful,

REPLY

@rosez and @verilee1776

Music is also a good therapy for stroke patients. Often people who don't have good speech skills can sing without a problem. Here is an article from the American Heart Association about the value of music for people recovering from strokes,

https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke/physical-effects-of-stroke/healing/healing-through-music
REPLY
@hopeful33250

Hello @rosez, I'm glad to hear that your husband is seeing a speech therapist, that is a good start! I suppose that his/her idea to correct your husband when he makes a mistake in his speech is his/her opinion but might not be the right approach for your husband at this time, especially if he seems frustrated at your attempts to do so.

Has the speech therapist suggested reading out loud? This can be a gentle way to get a speech problem corrected. If your husband likes to read something in particular, whether it is magazines, newspapers, or books, you could both read out loud together, taking turns (perhaps a paragraph at a time) and see if this helps him to have better speech. Has your husband had surgery or other treatment for this brain tumor? If so, how long ago was that?

@verilee1776, Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. You are right, each individual situation is so different and everyone must find their own way.

Here is a video with suggestions that you might find helpful,

Jump to this post

His therapist did tell me to speak slowly and in short sentences. He isn't a music person but does like listening to Pandora on long driving trips.

REPLY

I had a afasia after I had stroke. All word’s we’re all in a line and couldn’t understand. When I speak words were not correct and when I will write one paragraph as this will take one hour or more to make. ——————————————-++++++—————.
After six months it healed my brain was to swelled.
I lost all my friends my family was no responsive I said I am difffrent they ignored
This never got better.
—————————————. ———————
So here I am moved to colombia S A. Do not need anyone.
——. Xxxxx——————+$$$—————- Xxxxxxxx
So do you—> get bad leg Charley horse

REPLY
@sebi99

I had a afasia after I had stroke. All word’s we’re all in a line and couldn’t understand. When I speak words were not correct and when I will write one paragraph as this will take one hour or more to make. ——————————————-++++++—————.
After six months it healed my brain was to swelled.
I lost all my friends my family was no responsive I said I am difffrent they ignored
This never got better.
—————————————. ———————
So here I am moved to colombia S A. Do not need anyone.
——. Xxxxx——————+$$$—————- Xxxxxxxx
So do you—> get bad leg Charley horse

Jump to this post

Hello,
I am so sorry for what you have been through. It took a lot of courage to get through what you have experienced. My prayers for you.
Sister Shirley Le Blanc

REPLY
@sebi99

I had a afasia after I had stroke. All word’s we’re all in a line and couldn’t understand. When I speak words were not correct and when I will write one paragraph as this will take one hour or more to make. ——————————————-++++++—————.
After six months it healed my brain was to swelled.
I lost all my friends my family was no responsive I said I am difffrent they ignored
This never got better.
—————————————. ———————
So here I am moved to colombia S A. Do not need anyone.
——. Xxxxx——————+$$$—————- Xxxxxxxx
So do you—> get bad leg Charley horse

Jump to this post

@sebi99, I appreciate the effort it must have taken to type this response when dealing with aphasia. I'm also tagging @scottrl who is also recovering from stroke.

Do you have issues with leg cramping?

REPLY
@colleenyoung

@sebi99, I appreciate the effort it must have taken to type this response when dealing with aphasia. I'm also tagging @scottrl who is also recovering from stroke.

Do you have issues with leg cramping?

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
@nogrits

Hello,
I am so sorry for what you have been through. It took a lot of courage to get through what you have experienced. My prayers for you.
Sister Shirley Le Blanc

Jump to this post

Sister thank you for reading. When I was in Ecuador Manta I lived next to the convent there, I would make a habit to visit. There was sister Anna spoke a bit of English..me telling her I do not feel as there is any importance that I have no purpose and she told me (to do better) so I guess that is what I do? Be happier sing louder trying harder here.

REPLY

Yes I have leg ramps very painful leg cramps that will last and last
.

REPLY

My husband has expressive aphasia due to svpcar tissue from a brain tumor that was in his left parietal area.
He had the tumor totally resected in July of 2023.
Since then he has really progressed very well. He seems almost back to normal. His writing is getting better and
He converses just like normal except sometimes when he’s stressed, self conscious or tired, he has trouble finishing his sentences or train if thought. He still has trouble with numbers and reading and writing sometimes as he’ll get confused.. now that he’s more physically recovered, we get out more and he has more opportunities to converse with people which builds his skills and gives him more confidence.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.