Navigating Life After Stroke: My Journey and Tips
02.21.24
Hello and welcome to my blog! Today, I want to share with you my personal journey of navigating life after a stroke. It's been a challenging yet incredibly enlightening experience, and I hope that by sharing my story, I can offer some valuable tips to help ease the path for anyone else on a similar journey.
My journey began four and a half years ago, when I experienced a stroke that changed my life in a matter of hours. To understand the level of devastation a small clot created, it's necessary to describe my past. In the years before the ischemic clot (B.C.), I was a happy-go-lucky, energetic and active individual. I enjoyed travel, found inspiration in new adventures, and felt the need to constantly challenge myself to become a more experienced and worldly person. Within ten years B.C., I had earned my doctorate of pharmacy and completed a hospital residency. I thoroughly embraced my role in healthcare as a graveyard pharmacist. The 7 on-7 off schedule gave me the luxury to pursue additional interests, including yoga and competitive ballroom dancing. My endeavors led to additional certifications that allowed me to teach both. The stroke occurred during what felt like the prime of life. Calling an abrupt halt to these things that I believed to be part of my identity broke my resolve, challenged my sense of self and weakened my understanding of life purpose. The road to recovery was long, ongoing and filled with obstacles, but through perseverance and determination, I've made significant strides in reclaiming my life.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is the importance of patience and self-compassion. Stroke recovery is not a linear process, and there will be good days and bad days. I survived, but life as I knew it had ended. I was never going to be ready for that chapter to end. Time heals all wounds, or so I read. It took nearly four years, but I can finally talk about my stroke without breaking down and crying. It's essential to celebrate even the smallest victories and to be kind to yourself during the more challenging times.
Another crucial aspect of my recovery has been the support of my loved ones and healthcare team. Surrounding yourself with a supportive network can make all the difference in your recovery journey. Mental health is still a taboo in many cultures, and my mother wanted me off of the antidepressent that was prescribed during my acute hospitalization. I had not learned this in graduate school, but I found the articles suggesting that SSRIs support neuroplasticity. Whether for depression or stroke recovery, I was willing to try anything. Eventually I did wean off the drug and sought therapy. My husband fully anticipated that I would have to go through all the various stages of grief. You will likely lash out at folks closest to you, but be reminded to be kind to your caregivers. They cannot possibly understand everything you are experiencing so simply acknowledge their efforts once in a while. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and lean on those who care about you. Stroke support groups exist. Oddly, I didn't receive any information about them when I was in the hospital. I had to search to find a group of survivors in my area, and after that I found quite a few groups on line as well.
In addition to emotional support, I've also found practical strategies to be incredibly helpful in navigating life after a stroke. In order to return to work and contribute to society again, every day takes planning and preparation. My husband helped me locate different tools to achieve new bedtime and morning routines. I rush nowhere anymore and have to pad my appointments and meetings with extra travel time. As long as I stay active, I know I am only getting stronger. Trial and error, time and experience will tell you when one mode of therapy is working and when to try something new. Establishing a routine, setting realistic goals, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle have all played a significant role in my recovery process.
Finally, I've learned to embrace the new normal that comes with life after a stroke. While some things may have changed, I've discovered that some of my B.C. passions and interests that have enriched my life then still have purpose in my present in unexpected ways.
The Road to Recovery: Insights from My Stroke Survival
02.23.24
Welcome back to my blog, where I continue to share my journey of survival and recovery after experiencing an ischemic stroke. Today, I need to delve deeper into the road to recovery, offering insights and reflections that I've gathered along the way. I started this blog as an exercise to acknowledge my own progress. If I can encourage others like yourself, dear reader, then maybe there is meaning to my continued existence. *whoa* That got darker than I intended when I sat down to type this afternoon. There was definitely a point in my recovery when I though it would have been easier to depart during a high point in life, but alas, here I still am. And maybe, just maybe, I had a stroke to point my life toward newer heights I couldn't have imagined otherwise. I was likely approaching a plateau, and the person I was B.C. had some serious aversions to boredom. F.O.M.O. was then a real thing for me, and I said yes to all opportunities that were presented to me. If ever there was an influence that could get me to slow down, allow me to consider stopping to smell the roses or appreciate the view, it had to be a clot of platelets gathering in my right carotid.
The journey of recovery after a stroke is often described as a marathon, not a sprint. It's a gradual process that requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace change. One of the most important insights I've gained is the importance of accepting and adapting to the new realities of life after a stroke. Gone were the days where I could dash from work to a social engagement in a city two hours away, or wake up and expect to be dressed, behind the wheel of my car, and on my way in ten. My sisters can testify, I was never one for a quick shower. One of the lessons in acute rehabilitation was learning how to manage your self care and hygeine. I think those assisted bathing days took at least half an hour. Once I returned home I dreaded showering because I felt clumsy, uncomfortable, and my walk in shower barely has enough room for a shower chair. I wasn't prepared for a bathroom remodel, and surely my water bill was going to double. I had to plan for showering and dressing to take nearly an hour in the early days.
One of the first steps in my recovery was accepting that my life had changed. This meant letting go of the person I was before the stroke and embracing the person I was becoming. It was a challenging process, but one that was necessary for my healing journey. I didn't feel like my old self, and it made sense to update how I appeared to myself. Just like after a breakup, the easiest thing that occured to me to change was my hair. It was waist length, and my first realization of loss when I woke up after surgery was the inability to french braid it. I had spent a whole summer learning that technique, and my left hand dexterity was non-existent. I couldn't wear my hair the way I wanted to anymore, so I did what I thought I'd never do - I had my healthy locks bleached and dyed purple.
Another key insight I've gained is the importance of setting realistic goals. During the early days of my recovery, I set small, achievable goals for myself, such as taking a few more steps each day or practicing my speech therapy exercises. These small victories gave me the confidence to tackle larger goals as I progressed in my recovery.
I've also learned the value of patience and perseverance. Recovery after a stroke is often slow and incremental, and there were times when I felt frustrated with my progress. However, I've come to realize that every step forward, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction.
One of the most profound insights I've gained from my stroke survival journey is the importance of self-care. Prioritizing my physical, mental, and emotional well-being has been crucial in my recovery. Whether it's taking time for myself to rest and recharge or engaging in activities that bring me joy, self-care has played a significant role in my healing process.
Lastly, I've learned that recovery is not a solo journey. The support of my loved ones, friends, and healthcare team has been instrumental in my recovery. Their encouragement, understanding, and guidance have helped me navigate the challenges of life after a stroke with grace and resilience.
In conclusion, the road to recovery after a stroke is filled with challenges and obstacles, but it is also a journey of growth, resilience, and hope. By accepting change, setting realistic goals, practicing patience, prioritizing self-care, and leaning on the support of others, I've been able to navigate this road with courage and determination. I hope that my insights can offer comfort and guidance to anyone else on a similar journey. Remember, you are stronger than you think, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.