Does anyone feel they have made a full recovery from their stroke?

[danv]

Hearing Steve relate some improvement after 13 years is really uplifting but AJ said he sometimes feels like the ancient knight in a Monty Python film saying "I am going to win" after his arm falls off. This got me thinking, are there people that make a full recovery from a stroke?

 

The reason I ask is because there is so much I still want to do but stoke issues are making much of it very challenging. I would like to travel but walking/standing is difficult right now. I want to run my own company but my wife feels I will never have enough strength for that. Is there hope, people that have become fully functional after a stroke?

 

 

Dan

[Billie Jo]

Hi Dan

I have had 2 strokes in less than 6 months. I feel that I have almost gotten back to my old self. I do get tired and anxious but feel like my old self for the most part. I might not move as fast as I once did but.. that might have happened anyway. LOL I am considering an exercise program at our local wellness center and feel that will help me get back up to speed. I am 46 years old and have led a pretty sedentary life for the last so many years. It is time to get off my duff and move! haha Once I get that going, I think I can consider myself completely healed.. though on blood thinners for the rest of my life to help prevent further stroke.

I do hope you can fulfill your dreams and wants. Really I do believe anything is possible if you want it to be. MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Good luck and God be with you!

*hugs*

Billie Jo

[dstraugh]

Dan,

 

We all wish we could see into the future to see to what extent our recovery will be. But alas we cannot. What we can do though is keep our dreams alive and know honestly that we are better than we were the day that stroke entered our lives. I sure as heck am. The Case Worker at rehab talked to my daughter (who was 12) about placing me in a skilled facility.

I was told I'd never be able to climb steps either. My daughter insisted I come home - she did not miss a single day of school I must add - I was able to care for myself. My 3 year anniversary will be New Year's Day. Today....I climb steps several times a day as the bathroom and bedrooms are on the 2nd floor. I only use my hemiwalker at night after I remove my AFO. Throughout the day I walk independently around my house. I am medically retired and on SSDI. I am able to volunteer here at Strokenetwork, which keeps the brain cells churning. Will I ever be able to return to work? I don't know, but I'm still here with my daughter and cat (my job now is to lovingly pester them :big_grin: ).

 

Keep pursuing your dreams one day at a time.

 

[smarshall]

Hi Dan,

My mother has had three strokes, multiple TIA's, and bless her heart she hasn't had any lasting effects. She's 79.

 

Susan :ermm:

[tom71]

Dan,

everyone of will recover didfferently,I know people whom have stroked that have recovered to a point where its almost impossible to tell they have ever had a stroke,whereas myself,I have returned to work supervising 30-40 people,eventhgough I still have no use of my left arm 5 years after my stroke,I was originally told I would never return to work,but deep down I kept the faith and pushed myself,and I'm doing quite well for my family now,never let anyone tell you you can't do something,show them you still can do things for yourself even though you may have to do things a little differently.Good Luck!

God Bless,

Tom

 

[fking]

Dan,

 

NO, I don't feel I have made a full recovery from my stroke. In my case probably 50% since I can walk, drive, go places, shower and work. Most of what I did prior to my stroke. Then, there are those things I cannot do like run, use both hands, work around the house or stand for long periods of time.

 

A full recovery is possible depending on the severity of the stroke just as some strokes are fatal. When we survive we got the greatest opportunity to make a full recovery but from what I know and read on here it takes time with no guarantee.

 

Just don't ever give up on what you want to do and your stroke challenges will improve slowly. Traveling by car, air or other modes depend on your desires. I've driven from Texas to Georgia and by air to Las Vegas and rental car with my scooter to get around all over the casinos. I've had no problem so far.

 

I had my own business prior to stroke (bowling pro shop) inside a bowling center. Now that's a business requiring both feet, hands and the ability to use the drilling machine all of which I cannot do at this time. But I go to work every day full time and I'm allowed to use my scooter.

 

My point is this, if you don't make a full recovery for what ever reason, life goes on and somewhere down the road you can find a business or job you can do in spite of your challenges of your stroke. Keep looking to the future and your dreams may come to be a reality Dan.

[kanderson]

my thoughts are that a full recovery is possible depending on the stroke. i like donna am alot better than i was on 1-5-02. but i still have a ways to go. NEVER EVER GIVE UP HOPE. do the very best you can in recovery and you will surprise yourself what you can do. you probably will never have worked so hard at anything in your life,like you do in stroke rehab. keep your attitude positive. i wish you the best in your recovery, just don't give up on yourself.

[scrapdoo]

I really had to stop and think about this question! My first instinct is Of course there is no full recovery from a stroke. I have made huge steps in recovery. But! I will never be the same person I was before. OK, maybe I was first thinking philisophically.

 

Physically, I think recovery can be almost 100% in some. I am basing this on seeing friends recovery. I do think that there are so many aides that can almost make-up for any residuals. Take advantage of scooters,computers, companions, partners and other forms of help to achieve your dreams!

 

Go get your dreams! Beth

[ksaul]

dan,

i was reading everyone's replies and the one thing that really stood out to me is NOT TO GIVE UP HOPE. recovery is different for everone depending on how severe and where their stroke was located. i had a brain bleed two years ago caused by a strep infection in my heart. my sister and hubby were told that i would not walk, my vision would always be impaired blah blah blah.......i walk now with my cane, read even if i forget what i read sometimes, have some limited use of my left arm. not what the docs predicted for sure.

! i still deal with cognitive issues, being exhausted and emotional stuff. so, i know i will never return to the old me - but i am looking forward to each day so i can get stronger. keep a positive attitude - the key to recovery in my mind and remember to be kind and compassinate to yourself. so my answer is i don't know if a full recovery is possible - but keep doing your best - no one can ask for more than that! cheers kathy

[JohnI]

I am no expert, and my stroke was minor in nature. But, having talked to other stroke survivors I think you have to believe in yourself and continue to work toward total improvement. That said, I know NOBODY is ever 100% the same after a stroke, you learn much, you appreciate small things and take nothing for granted. Silver lining in every cloud!

-JohnI

[specs]

Hi Dan,

I am a new member here but not new to stroke. I had a major stroke 7 yrs. ago and Dr. told me I would never be the same, they were right I am not the same, noone who survives a stroke is ever the same but you can recover most of what you lost, depending on your stroke. You see every stroke is different just as we are all different but its what you do with with your life afterwards that defines the kind of person you are. never let your stroke stop you or control you, you are still in control of your life, we may be a little slower or need a little help now and then but so what. I guess what I am trying to say is, you do what ever you can to fulfill your dreams and never let anybody stop you.

My Dr's retired me after my stroke but I am still very active as a volunteer at my local hospital where I speak to stroke pts. and their families, telling them yes there is life after stroke, you can still enjoy life and accomplish goals. The key word is "Determination" and as far as what they told you about being recovered after 6 mos. that is a bunch of bull, we are always recovering even yrs. after having the stroke so never let anybody say "well this is the best your gonna get" because I can tell you from working with stroke survivors as well as from personel experience we are always getting better. I wish you all the best and hope your dreams are realized one way or the other.

 

Doug

 

[dstraugh]

Doug,

 

Please enter an introduction of yourself under Stroke Survivor Introductions so we all can become acquainted with you. You've got a fabulous outlook.

[lisas]

Recovery from a stroke takes time, determination, energy, good therapy, enough rest, the right combination of medication, and the list goes on. Everyone is so different. Some strokes are worse then others. I don't think there is any set time on stroke recovery. Everyday is a new beginning. We have to take things as they come. I think your outlook on life has to be good to focus on recovery.

[bill]

Howdy..

There are probably about as many opinions about making a full recovery as there are stroke survivors.

I will tell you one thing.. If you quit trying you are already defeated. Just let the critics pile dirt on you and write the eulogy because you are DONE.

Some days it will seem as if the easiest option is to quit... don't do it! The Drs. said that you can't what? Your spouse doesn't think that you can do it? I refuse to have anyone impose their limits on me. Try until you feel like crying and then shed a few tears before you start trying again!

I may have some residual deficits from my stroke but I am now a far superior person than I was pre stroke. I'm not talking about denial... I would rather call it determination.

I have not posted here for quite a while but I hate to see anyone stop trying because they believe that they are as good as they will get. You may fool a lot of folks!

bill

[danv]

Wow! Wonderful support here. I want to thank everyone for taking time to read/respond to my question.

[glaidice]

GO FOR IT! I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST, SO THAT'S WHAT I'M AIMING FOR. OF COURSE I INTEND TO LIVE A LONG (ALREADY BEEN FRUITFUL) REST OF MY LIFE. I DON'T ALLOW ANYONE TO INFECT ME WITH THE YOU CAN'T'S. OBVIOUSLY I CAN - ALL I HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THESE LAST FOUR YEARS. SO, YOU JUST KEEP ON TRYING. BLESS YOU. :Clap-Hands: ALSO, I WOULD SAY I'M ABOUT 80% RECOVERED, BECAUSE I CAN DO MOST OF WHAT I USE TO. I DRIVE, VOLUNTEER FOR THE ELDERLY, I LIVE ALONE SO I RUN MY OWN HOUSEHOLD. DO I NEED HELP SOMETIMES - YES, FOR INSTANCE, ALTHOUGH I CAN DO MY OWN WASHING AND IRONING, MY COUSIN COMES OVER TO HELP ME SIMPLY BECAUSE WE CAN HAVE GIRL TALK AND SHE LOVES AIDING ME. I TRAVEL BY TRAIN QUITE OFTEN TOO. I STILL HAVE LEFT SIDE WEAKNESS AND MY FINE MOTOR SKILLS IN MY LEFTHAND ARE LACKING, BUT I DO HAVE USE OF MY HAND AND ARM AND I'M IMPROVING EVERYDAY - NUFF SAID!

[Quincy]

Hi there,

 

Well, I think you can estimate how well you've recovered. There's no limitations to recovery! I had a stroke five years ago as well and I STILL haven't regained the use of my left arm and hand. I'm working on it! Each day, I challenge myself by running 3-5 miles and doing weights. Each day, I'm getting stronger and more confident! The magic word is challenge, challenge, and more challenge! You CAN make it happen! Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't! Never, ever give up! 'Pain is temporary; quitting is forever'!

[smarshall]

My mom has had 4, and came back 100% from the first 3; the 4th left her with some vision problems and fatigue. I wasn't as fortunate.

 

Susan :Typing:

[2ndChance]

Dan: It occurs to me that a person who recovered 100% probably wouldn't be a member of this board! So they might be out there, but in what numbers is hard to say.

 

Rene

[chofvander]

I've come to accept that I will never be the same, but I accept the new me. I still am fighting, I will never stop, but I accept life after stroke. I still write,exercise, talk, read, walk, ride a bike, not as well as I did before the stroke but I still do it! Don't give up on life!

[scrappier]

Happy Thanksgiving! I have not been here in quite a while but thought I'd jump in on this thread. I just celebrated my 5 year anniversary on November 11th.

 

I was a "young" 42 at the time my stroke, which was caused by a medical practitioner severing one of my arteries in my neck. While I'd be loaded if I had a buck for everyone saying "but you were so young" in a way it was an odd way towards gaining perspective....To appreciate the routine and seasons in everyday life, which to me was getting way boring and way humdrum...My kids were little ones (4th and 5th grade) and we have a very busy family business so during my rehab I had the perspective that I had to come back, aiming for as close to 100% percent as possible, because I knew I had a lot of things I still wanted to do for my family, friends and myself...and I was the one who wanted to do it.

 

I was able to witness both my kids graduating grade school, starting high school and have one new driver under my belt and one on the horizon and college-selecting is coming asap.. My husband being the quiet genius he is, lead me back to my own personal love, writing. So that is my own project in between the wash and the cooking and the corraling of teens...

 

I won't say its all a rose garden, it has its thorns. Stroke left me more short tempered, which friends and family have made me realize I should exercise more self control, I have teens (enough said!) and also in the throws of menopause....so that has me saying a lot "God, give me patience and I want it right now!"

 

But hey, compared to the alternative that it is really is a wonder that "it" didn't happen (Besides being missed by the EMT's (too young and too thin for a stroke), taking a cocktail of "the pill" and celebrex the am of my stroke, not getting to the hosp in 3 hours and I also was out driving my SUV during this(early stages of stroke), Someone was sure watching out for me, so I'm very gratedful to be here, trying to carve out writing time from the daily chores, running for kids and errands and getting to have those daily conversations with friends and family..I feel like I'm most of the way there, (I used to only be able to garden for an hour or two before I pooped out, now I can be out there for almost the whole day-like before)but the one thing with stroke is that as you get older there is always the chance that something will get better and then one day it will dawn on you--hey-that isn't so hard to do anymore!! May that be the case for every stroke survivor..