Alyse: you vent all you want. This is what we are all here for. Bruce and I have a friend whose daughter recently stroked while giving birth to her second child. She, like you, is just looking for someone her own age, going through the same issues. Yes family and friends are important and those we depend on, but it so helps when one can find a peer going through the same thing.

Consider maybe that you are as important to him as he is to you and this might just be a wrinkle in the relationship. I hope so. Stay well, continue working and I do so pray that the new Rehab is just as successful for you. Debbie, caregiver to Bruce, stroke 2009

This is probably NOT you new normal. It hasn't even been a month since your stroke. It takes the brain 6 - 12 months for the swelling that happens after a stroke to go away. Nothing is set in stone for you yet.

This is the part of being a stroke survivor that I call "living in a snowglobe." basically, everything got shaken up really hard and your feet have not yet touched the floor. It took a while, for the spinning, fatigue, nausia and all of the initial sensations of being disconnected from the world and reality to go away for me too. I still have some days when I feel the world tilt and I fall to one side, but not as violently, and not as often.

As for your friend, there is this interesting little problem that I have discovered most stroke survivors go through, and can for years after their stroke, called "emotional liability." Our emotional reactions are, for no good reason ( or any reason at all) WAY out of proportion. This may well be what happened between you and your friend. Give it a little time, then try reaching out to him. Things may not be as lonely or helpless as it feels right now.

Know, also, that you have a whole group of supporters right here who will hrelp talk you through anything and everything you are going through.

Best of wishes!!

I can certainly understand your feelings after all you only know living with normal body functions and being with your family and peers! Now being so young you feel condemned and out of touch! You are still very normal we have many soldiers here with missing limbs and you and me still got ours just they are paralyzed! So try to think of doing all you can with how you are and keep getting better!

Fred!