ladylaw

Thanks for the respinse....Ken was at HealthSouth and also an outpatient rehab patient...we contacted them about a support group for stroke survivors and their caregivers and were told "it was a nice idea" but they neither had no knew of any such group. :Tantrum: :Tantrum:

Oh my goodness...so much thanks to ALL of you!! You have added and are continuing to add everyday something good to my life. I will continue to try and follow up on locating--or even establishing, if that is what it takes --a stroke support group here in this area. God Bless All of You! You have no idea what angels you are!! :Clap-Hands: :Clap-Hands: :Clap-Hands: :Clap-Hands:

Jean.....you cannot possibly KNOW how much your words improve my outlook. This site is probably a Godsend for many people. I can tell you from extensive research in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, that finding an actual physical support group is virtually impossible. I even e-mailed the local hospital volunteering to help START a support group for stroke survivors and their caregivers. To date, I have received no response and that to me is depressing.

Cindy..you can't know how much it means to me to read your response. I, too, believe he needs something to cope with stress.....He doesn't want to do it......

Thanks, Jean...His stroke was June 23rd...he has problems with his right side...he spent a week or better in the hospital and about 10 days in rehab. He can drive and walk [with some difficulty]. He has a lot of trouble when he gets angry, frustrated or upset with his speech. There are a lot of things he cannot do, but that doesn't mean that he'll never be able to do them. The biggest change that has come over him is in personality. I am not sure if he blames himself for the stroke: for not being strong enough to get past it or what. Before the stroke he was a THREE pack a day smoker. I could just see doctor after after doctor turn away in almost disgust at hearing that. He stopped smoking that day in the hospital when he as admitted and, except for one slip, he has not smoked since [to the best of my knowledge]. I also understand what it is to stop smoking, although I was never THAT heavy a smoker. He has a lot on his plate. His mother had a stroke a few years ago and never even tried to help herself so is, presently, in a wheelchair because her muscles atrophied to the point that they are useless. His mother still smokes three packs a day and she is 82. She and his borhter are 1600 miles away, so there is not a prayer of help coming from that direction.

Thank you so much for responding to me...it really does make me feel like there is someone else out there who might understand. Can you tell me, when you were in the early stages following your stroke did you strike out at people? And if you did, did you MEAN to hurt them, or was it because you just had to let things "out"? I have never been one for pity parties...I have more than 30 years in federal law enforcement and I have no time for sissies or whiners and I hate that it sounds like I am becoming one. He does not think he needs any sort of psychological help with this issue..but he thinks I need to go to a shrink to be a better caregiver. I am confused.

Hello..I am really new to this site...heck, I may never even find my way back here to see if someone replies. I need HELP!! I am a stroke survivor caregiver who is trying so very hard to be what my fiance needs in the way of support. I feel like I am floundering along the way, as I have no support system of my own to fall back on. His family remains out of the picture and I am trying to pedal a hundred miles an hour trying to "keep up." I want to be everything that he wants and needs, but I am so frightened of failing miserably. The weight of all this makes me feel like I am trying to lift a Volkswagen. I realize that he is frustrated at the things that he can no longer do, but he has no one to take out his frustrations on except for me. It seems like he can flip a switch and go from angel to devil in half a heartbeat. Please...is this typical? :im stupid: