Stroke Support Group

Everything to do with the aneurysm and stroke involved the area near my brain stem, so I had no balance or motor skills for a long time. For the first six months I had in-home physical and occupational therapy. Then the care-giver drove me to PT for the next 6 months. This all happened in 9-04 and while I am a million times better, I still have those days...

Well BlackCat, it's been almost 9 years since my stroke. And I still have no movement in my right arm. Now I haven't done any therapy in quite a while. I did it for probably 5 years with no improvement on my arm. But my right leg has improved alot. I still walk with a cane and have balance issues. But I still see small improvement. As a matter of fact, I get so confident, there have been several times I left my house without my cane not knowing where it was.
I guess that everybody's different and we all heal differently too. So we have to be happy with what we have or don't have (ie..my arm).
I get tired of hearing how wonderful I'm doing. I want to say "walk a day in my shoes and then tell me how wonderful I'm doing." They don't have a clue.
So basically, what I'm trying to say is the leg has improved and the arm hasn't.

Yeah, I was having a bad day when I posted this. I know I need to be greatful for the improvements I have made, the things I can do. I am sooo sorry if I offended anyone out there. I really didn't mean to. I was in my feelings and not considering those of others at the time.

I don't think you offended anybody. Actually, we all can relate to how you are feeling. I hope I didn't sound like I was preaching to you 'cause I wasn't. Sometimes I have a hard time putting my thoughts into words so they come out wrong.

i know where ya'll are coming from..
when i am having a bad day, i feel and act like a stroke victim because i remember my old self..it hurts to remember the old amy. at times i remember how to do the job i had for 12 years. it hurts like hell.
but the days i feel like a stroke survivor, i smile, laugh, and maybe even drive to the sonic and get my route 44 diet coke..

i know have not been around much at ds but i still feel the hurt in my heart caused by this stroke..

amy=stroke
for the rest of my life.

Hi y'all, I am Ralphs caregiver and the love of his life, stroke is not fair, it affects every single person a different way. Sometime people are very lucky and unfortunately a lot are not quite as lucky. I think we all thank god that we are still here and for any improvements that may follow. I know my Ralph works very hard to keep improving, everytime I think he is at a standstill he fools me. Ralph has a wonderful personality, always has, he has no patience for things like tv, he loves to listen to his music, reads, and excersises as much as he can. His right hand does not close, but is strong, however his speech is how it has effected him. Sometimes he gets fustrated that a word will not come out, but we work around that problem. He feels like he is back to normal???Once you have had a stroke your life has changed forever, and everyone I think gets fustrated with the "abilities" that they are left with. I do not say disabilities because everyone that has answered this questions is quite fortunate that they can use a computer, communicate the way they do and sometimes it is really tough. I applaud you all for all your improvements and keep on talking, it helps to know how other people are doing.

Be kind to yourselves, Joanne

i wish that i could answer that question then i would know also i guessit all depends on how much pt you do and your support group i can personally tell you i had a stroke in sept 06 and have just recently progressed to being a big girl and can pull up and down my pants now i guess you learn ballance then you can master the up and down of pants gosh that sounds bad but i can tell you it sure is a great feeling to be able to do it myself as for the limping i would be on cloud 9 just to be able to walk as i have drop foot(ankel)and it just gives me more to fight to regain myself but we can overcome it just keep the faith and dont give inn

hello, black cat - i suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2004 and it's been a very long, hard road to where i am now; I suffered my stroke at the operating table while my aneyrysm was being clipped. my left arm still hangs limply to my side even after years of therapyand botox shots. my left leg has gotten much better although still spastic to this day; have to take anti-spasticity meds for it. What I'm trying to say is that, like dgs said - everyone's recovery is different and varies completely. Trust in God and believe and you'll get better, you'll see. . . take care!

i wanted 2 ask when

BlackCat, well I can't say I am close to a full recovery but a blog posting by Peter Levine put my dilemma in another perspective.
http://recoverfromstroke.blogspot.... The Feb. 12 one How stroke survivors can be so wrong it hurts them. I too believed that my arm was worthless, but looking at it in a different perspective, I can move it slightly when positioned correctly. So i am trying to use that more positive outlook so extend its movement.
Dean