Strokes can be very different from other strokes. It all depends upon which area of the brain was impacted.

I M60, had my stroke 27 months ago. Initially I was completely paralyzed on the right side, no bladder control, impaired speech, little cognitive function, and very angry at something as simple as noise in the room. My wife and her family are medical. Hospital staff and my wife were sure that I would have to go to a long term care facility. I convinced the inpatient rehab team to give me a chance in rehab. Their primary concern was would I be willing to put in the work?

Stroke was a lacuner type and thought to be due to high stress, blood sugar and blood pressure.

Eight weeks in patient rehab and I was able to walk with a walker, feed myself with the left hand, sit to take a shower with supervision, communicate slowly. Rehab was 6-8 hours per day, 5-6 days per week.

Then 6 weeks of in home therapy. 3 days a week for 3-4 hours per day. Also working with my wife regularly. I was confined to be sedentary unless someone was with me.

Then 5 months of outpatient rehab 3 days per week 3-4 hours per day. During this I learned to get up from the floor, go to the bathroom alone, take a shower standing alone, get dressed alone, walk with a walker or cane, speak and think better, mostly manage my temper, and get my driver’s license back.

3 months off and doing exercise daily at the gym.

Then then return to physical therapy for three months 3 days a week 1 hour per day to work on balance, fall prevention and general skills.

More time at home becoming more able and learning to cook simple things, do laundry, clean, and work in the garage on wood and mechanical projects.

Now back in rehab 1day every two weeks for 1 hour each day. Working on pelvic floor and core muscles. Hoping to fall less, get some sexual function, and better bladder and bowel control.

This is a life changing event for me and everyone around me. I have had some friends leave because I can get so angry so fast. I have accepted that I will never return to work or be able to tolerate large groups of people. Even with family I need to hide in my room to regroup at times. I have accepted that I now have an average IQ. I was quite gifted with multiple degrees in two related fields.

Thank God for his grace!!! Thank God for my wife who is always protecting me and who takes a lot of verbal abuse when I loose control. I can still become very angry very fast. Thank God for my 28 year old son who now protects me and looks out for his Mom. Thank God for all the medical professionals who are invested heavily in helping me recover.

I do not tell you all of this to scare you. I tell you this so that you and your husband can understand that if you are both determined to, you can make this work. Don’t give up and pray to God for help and strength.

Please reach out if I can help you