Post Stroke Recovery

Posted by janie1gypsyy2001 @janie1gypsyy2001, Jun 26, 2024

I had a Hemorrhagic stroke in 2017, Went into kidney failure, was placed in a medical coma for over a month to allow for healing.
While in a coma and on a Ventilator, my family was informed by physicians, that very few recover from this situation. They were encouraged to remove all life sustaing measures and let me go. My family refused to give up on my chances to recover. I came out of the coma with Left Hemiplegia, and memory issues. I spent 7 months in institutionalized care. A stroke specialty facility, then to Rehab, all this from Jan to August before, being discharged to home. It has been difficult, but with Home Health Therapy, I have progressed to the point of walking w the use of a walker. I exercise every M,W& F. I use my recumbent exercise bike Monday- Friday, 5 days weekly x 30 minutes. There seems to be no support for a walking/talking stroke survivor in my area. Is anyone able to offer direction for resources? I am in Lakeland, FL.
I would like to talk w other stroke survivors!
I would like to continue to progress!

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

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Oct 6 10:48am

In reply to @winterfox "I am at a impass and looking for help or advice on how to recover from..." + (show)

@winterfox - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to let you know I moved your post here where you can talk to others who are discussing stroke recovery.

Will you share a bit more about your situation, winterfox? How long ago was your stroke, and what kind of stroke did you have? What are your biggest concerns in your recovery?

winterfox | @winterfox | Oct 6 1:37pm

Well I had a Ischemic stroke and I have ptsd anxiety from it. Stroke was 5 yrs and 10 months ago. (Give or take) Im done with recovery just w/ right have any nobody knows why i had a stroke. Even the wonderfull ppl of mayo don't.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Oct 6 2:35pm

In reply to @winterfox "Well I had a Ischemic stroke and I have ptsd anxiety from it. Stroke was 5..." + (show)

Hi, @winterfox - thanks for the info on your stroke. I've not had a stroke personally, but from what I've read from others, it sounds like having a stroke really has mental health repercussions for many.

Have you done some talk therapy for the PTSD resulting from the stroke? Is your main concern about your stroke now to get to the bottom of why it occurred, then?

winterfox | @winterfox | Oct 6 3:20pm

What is talk therapy if I may ask? No just want to know why I had a stroke?

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Oct 6 3:55pm

In reply to @winterfox "What is talk therapy if I may ask? No just want to know why I had..." + (show)

@winterfox - sorry if I was using jargon. What I meant was have you talked to a counselor or other mental health practitioner about the PTSD you mentioned from the stroke?

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Oct 6 4:00pm

A resource I thought might be useful to you, @winterfox, is this one from the American Stroke Association:

- WHAT’S AT THE HEART OF MY CRYPTOGENIC STROKE? https://www.stroke.org/en/-/media/Stroke-Files/Cryptogenic-Patient-Facing-Resources/A-Patient-Guide-to-Understanding-Strokes-of-Unknown-Cause-PDF-ucm477655.pdf?sc_lang=en

It sounds as though 1 in 3 ischemic strokes are cryptogenic, or of unknown origin.

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Oct 6 8:35pm

In reply to @winterfox "I am at a impass and looking for help or advice on how to recover from..." + (show)

@winterfox @scottrl would be a great place to start. He is mentioned above your post.

He has videos on Youtube that are remarkable and I think he would be a great
encouragement to you.

Nobody can encourage you like someone who has been there.

Prayers & Blessings for you......

Scott R L | @scottrl | Oct 6 10:32pm

In reply to @covidstinks2023 "@winterfox @scottrl would be a great place to start. He is mentioned above your post. He..." + (show)

@covidstinks2023 : Thank you for the endorsement.

My YouTube channel, "From Recovery to Discovery," is here:
http://www.youtube.com/@srlucado/videos

The episodes average < 5 minutes, and don't just cover my physical recovery, but how I've reacted to different stresses, social challenges, lots of introspection, and observations about dealing with traumatic changes to life (not just strokes).

Plus, there's audio of two talks I've given, one to grad students at Texas Christian University and one to patients and staff at a rehab hospital.

There's even video of a total eclipse!

I've also sprinkled in some humor -- not just because humor has kept me from going crazy these past seven years, but it seems I have a knack for writing silly Dad Jokes, several of which have been aired on TV. Sort of a new career for me. Who knew?

I hope you'll take a look. It's an ongoing series, with new episodes popping up now and then, so I hope you'll subscribe.

Thanks, and good luck on your journey.

coffeeplease | @coffeeplease | Oct 7 10:46am

Hello - you are doing amazing ! Very very impressive that you have recovered so much. And medical literature says that this fast and hard push to get better makes a HUGE difference.

I am a 20 year survivor of a massive brain infection that also caused a stroke.
Like you I found zilch long term available help from medical / insurance .
But this is what worked for me:
Senior Center - exercise programs . I just showed up w my cane and ' adapted' the exercise to my ability. You may find ' chair exercise' program works
Continuing Education classes - non credit. Usually through a community college but location of classes maybe at public library, senior center etc... Great way to get out there and be with people and have fun. Ceramics, music, cooking classes ....

Brain Injury/ stroke support groups - see what is available locally. Contact the Hospital Rehabilitation dept. And also the the Therapuetic Recreation Dept. : Ask for resources

The thing the has worked for me is do things in person . Yes you get worn out and yes you may need to figure things out : transportation, getting in and out of the bathroom etc...

Getting better is a full time job lol