ksmith

taking time for a mental break can be a good thing.. I'm so happy you're back

that is so true :)

By Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, March 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Even after a relatively milder stroke, people can be left with challenges that go beyond the physical, researchers say. Their study, of nearly 1,200 stroke survivors, found that physical limitations were the most common issue patients reported. But many patients also said they had difficulty with essential thinking skills -- such as planning and organizing -- while others struggled with changes in their "social role." For the most part, these were patients who had not been severely disabled by their stroke. Most were able to walk without help, and many could take care of their usual daily activities on their own. But even mild disability after a stroke can create "hidden" problems that affect patients' quality of life, according to Dr. Irene Katzan, lead researcher on the study. "Findings like these can help people better understand the breadth of what stroke survivors face," said Katzan, a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic. The findings were based on Cleveland Clinic patients, average age 62, who had suffered a stroke, typically within the past few months. They completed standard questionnaires to gauge how they were faring in their daily lives. Overall, difficulties with physical functioning were most common: About 63 percent of patients scored "meaningfully" worse on that scale, versus the average for the general population. Similarly, 58 percent scored worse when it came to their satisfaction with their social roles. Those types of issues are understandable, according to Dr. Joel Stein, chairman of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. "Imagine if you were head of the household and used to managing the finances, and now you can't," said Stein, who is also an American Stroke Association spokesman. He was not involved with the study. During stroke rehab, Stein explained, the first priority is to address the "basic aspects of what a person needs to get back home safely." Over the longer term, he said, the goals keep shifting, and other issues get attention, such as screening for and treating depression. With difficulties like dealing with social changes, Stein noted, "not all help has to come from the medical domain." Families and friends, he said, can help by keeping stroke patients socially engaged. Something as simple as seeing the grandkids could make a big difference in a patient's quality of life, according to Stein. "Stroke recovery," he stressed, "is not only about getting people the right pills and right therapies." Another common issue, the study found, was trouble with "executive function" -- mental skills such as planning, organizing and focusing attention. Just under 46 percent of patients scored worse than the general population when it came to those abilities. There is no "magic pill" that will bring those skills back, Katzan said. But, she added, people can learn strategies for dealing with any deficits. Some stroke survivors did have problems with fatigue, depression and anxiety, though those issues were relatively less common. Depression screening is a standard part of stroke rehabilitation. But, Katzan said, the study findings suggest that executive function and difficulty with social adjustments may need more attention. Patients did vary in how they fared: Those who'd had the mildest strokes -- with "minimal" to no disabling symptoms -- were typically doing as well as the general population in all health aspects the study measured. Meanwhile, women tended to fare worse than men when it came to physical functioning, depression, anxiety and fatigue. And low-income patients were generally doing worse than those with higher household incomes. Those differences might be partly related to a lack of help, according to Stein. Female stroke patients may be more likely than men to live alone, for instance. And low-income patients are unlikely to be able to afford any paid help. For patients and families, Katzan and Stein said, the takeaway is that they should not just "live with" difficulties that arise during stroke recovery, but should bring them to their doctor's attention. Family members can help, Katzan said, by going with patients to their doctor's appointments and bringing up any concerns. The study was published online March 28 in the journal Neurology. More information The American Stroke Association has more on post-stroke rehabilitation. SOURCES: Irene Katzan, M.D., neurologist, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio; Joel Stein, M.D., chair, rehabilitation and regenerative medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and physiatrist-in-chief, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York City; March 28, 2018, Neurology, online Last Updated: Mar 28, 2018 Copyright ©2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

HR from The Arc contacted me yesterday and I replied with what she asked and I had to apologize for I didn't really make sense for I was still under anesthesia. Thankfully she was a good sport about it lol

Yesterday I finally had my ablation on my heart to stop the rapid heart beat. I wasn't nervous for my cousin, who is a cardiac nurse and also had this done, walked me through everything. It didn't hit me that I remember them adding the adrenalin to make my heart race so they could find out where the 'road block' was. Basically, you have two tracks that the electrical currents in your heart go around that keep your heart function. So Imagine you have two tracks above each other but the one with that contains the faster of the current (: if you get excited or caffeine your heart beats faster and you also have a slow lane that keeps the balance- ) well one of mine didn't have a complete track because one of the tracks had extra muscle that made the faster currents speed faster in half the space. When the current would get trapped in the smaller loo[p, my hear rate would jump to 240+ beats per min. SOOO.. When I felt them making my hear to go fast, my jaw started to hurt, I began to sweat , same as always, but when it stopped I thought they stopped the medicine for I didn't feel the usual chest pains but it just stopped beating fast. That was the time when he performed the procedure and fixed the problem.. it is amazing. The down side is they went into both side of my groin so pain, no driving, no swimming, no lifting.. To most people that might sound like a day off but no driving to my Aunts house to swim in her pool.. But I can drink coffee.. but I'm still scared but he ( the Dr) said it was textbook so no issues. Same day.. Long day. My parents and I left my house at 4:30a for the 90 min drive.. put on to prep at 7:15a wheeled into the OR 8am finished at 12pm.. post op full bedrest until 4:00pm.. leave hospital 4:30pm (Philadelphia Rush Hour) made it home by 6:45p.. My son, 15, stayed home with the cats.. don't blame him.. I slept partially seated for my pelvic area was so sore.. Better today.. Apparently I emailed people while still drugged lol

I love Dr. Who and T om Baker was my ex husbands favorite and he would say that often lol Love it

Your daughter is a miracle worker. I'm sending her all my happiness and love to her. I'm a daddy's girl so it warms my heart she called for you. As for your cane... I hardly ever used mine inside but like you, always took it out side . I believe your daughter saved your life and in doing so, she prevented even more horrible things from happening. On a lighter note: I second drinking hot coffee during Florida thunderstorms.. But we had them almost like clock work in the afternoon

I can say that when I was weaned off my Anti-depressant meds, which I was on for almost 12 years, was an emotional rollercoaster. I found out I have emotions.. who knew. I cry sometimes , even still, but in the long run you'll feel better. Being in control and understanding your emotions is an empowering feeling :) good luck. P.S. I warned those around me haha

I got a phone call from my oldest son, first born, who lives in Florida, and he told me I'm going to be a Grandmother. I'm 44 , still young, so I decided My name will be Mimi. I wanted Gigi but it's already taken. He will be a father , for real, in March. Excited It makes me hope I did a good job as a mother for I cant remember ..But yay

exactly and well said. I've often said it's the 'step back and smell the roses" , appreciate all the things that when you were involved in your own world ( work) and now able to look around and see all the cogs in your life that help maintains it . It's been 9+ years for me and I'm still seeing things around me that I've gained a great appreciation for

I finally turned 31 after being 30 for … um..... a few years lol

I LOVE THOSE FRIES xxooxx

yikes. My mom was just saying that no matter what time she goes to bed... 5am ( Bing) then I hear she made bread, laundry, mop the floors.. and me I went from my ed to my couch lol

I had a panic attack once and I never want to have another. Thankfully I was on the phone with my mom to talk me through it. I felt like I was going to die. Slow breathing in through the nose out through the mouth. know you are safe and ok. Do something to get your mind off of the fear. Read, listen t music, put your face in a bowl of cold water. Continue with your doctors xx

I had my first interview and I was very honest about my issues. This is not set in stone and I say that for I'm not sure I can even do it or I'm released by my doctor but I have to give it a shot. Thankfully I also shared my interest for assistant Supervisor and I was told I'm qualified .Fingers crossed