Post Hemorrhagic Stroke Recovery - need support of others like me

Had three strokes in cerebellum, balance and walking were issues but over came it. No answers why for me about how this happens.

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.

Get a walker and start moving around hallways, will get you walking again, take ot for nerves affecting balance, takes time but works. Do they know why cerebellum was swollen?.

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.

Janie,
First you are very strong in your perseverance to improve. That’s very impressive and important in recovery and we know it’s a slow, constant and daily push to make any bit of improvement, but as you have seen… it’s all possible. You can continue to defy the odds!
I survived two strokes in 2017, renal failure, had severe liver damage plus now have a pacemaker and a few other ‘’juicy’’ issues but I keep pushing every day. I walk extensively without assistance, ( I carry a fold up cane for night or if I’m going to unknown areas), I carefully live alone, do most everything except step up or down a high curb, use steps without a handrail, run, step over obstacles/puddles or drive a car. I keep daily lists, play sudoku, work puzzles, exercise most days, try doing anything I couldn’t do yesterday. I’ll never give in to anything or to anyone who has an attitude of defeat or sympathy. I am a retired OT and I am an example of rock solid belief in neuroplasticity which has returned most of my fine motor abilities. In my early post stroke days using a walker and I saw someone walking down a long stairway using a cane and thinking ‘’some day I’m going to do that’’! I now can and then some. You MUST have the best and supportive doc, PT and OT you can find in addition to family and friends who will support your efforts. You must ALWAYS be smart and safe, say ‘’I can’t today ’’ but ‘’I’ll try’’ ! Hope this helps, Shani