Every stroke is different. Some stroke survivors will gain their mobility faster than others and some not as fast. I can't speak for other stroke warriors out there but I can share my 3 years recovery journey and show you what I can do now.
Let me bring you back 3 year when I had my ischemic stroke when I was just sleeping. Waking up not being able to move and talk was the scariest feeling I have ever experienced in my life. I had Ischemic stroke in the right side of my brain that affected my left side.
My stroke left half of my body paralyzed. I was not able to walk, talk and was not able to move my left arm. I was in the hospital and nursing home then to Oregon rehabilitation Institute for treatment and therapy. I was in the hospital for 30 days before I was able to go home.
The hardest thing was when I was home. I was used to having nurses taking care of me, my doctors checking on me , my physical and occupational therapist there helping me and food services staffs bringing me my meals so when I was home I was scared and overwhelmed.
That's when it hit me! I can't do normal things that I used to do for myself now. I can't get out of my bed without asking for help. I can't walk without the help of my cane. I can't prepare my own breakfast. I can't take a shower without my husband's help. I can't put on my own clothing without help. I can't do anything for myself! Who is this person? What happened to me? I was just so scared and overwhelmed that I will burst in tears in the middle of the day or night with no reason at all.
That's when my doctor diagnosed me with anxiety and depression which is normal for stroke survivors after the brain goes through a traumatic experience or injury. I went through a year of counseling to help me cope with my anxiety and depression and I am glad I did it because it helped me a lot. Sometimes there are things that you don't want to tell your kids and husband because you know they have been through a lot because of you, too. So, having a counselor who is there to listen and give you the right skills how to cope with my negative feelings helped me fight back my anxiety and depression better.
Recovery is still on going. I am not where I am before my stroke but I am much better 3 years after my near death experience when my brain tried to kill me. Well, they say "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger", so this is me 3 years after my ischemic stroke.
My 3 year journey was not easy. I went through a lot of ups and downs. There were times that I want to give up and wonder if I can do it. But as I went to my journey, I learn so much about myself. But most of all I learn not to give up hope. To always focus on the good. To do the things that give me joy. To be thankful always and to celebrate simple victories like
BEING ABLE TO TIE MY OWN SHOES
BEING ABLE TO BUTTON MY OWN PANTS
BEING ABLE TO TUCK IN MY OWN SHIRT
BEING ABLE TO EAT MY PAPAYA WITH TWO HANDS
AND BEING ABLE TO SIMPLY STAND AND WALK...
The biggest thing I learn from this journey is to celebrate the littlest ,simplest victories along the way. Because we sometimes forget that these simple things we do like being able to stand, walk, breathe and talk are not simple at all. They are miracles! We just don't notice them anymore because we are use of doing them. But when all these simple things like breathing or walking is taken away from you, it is then that we realize that they are not little or simple at all. They are MIRACLES! I AM A MIRACLE! YOU ARE A MIRACLE! WE ARE ALL HERE FOR A PURPOSE.
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