Hi Rich - this is just awesome to read your messages - my husband had a stroke in Sept 2005 and we are coming over there in April with Ruth so it's pretty exciting to read about your experiences and to add hope to our expectations. Thanks so much for your blog - look forward to sharing your experience. cjg

Cjg here again - Ruth has my email address if you want to write - I do have some questions and would be interested to see what things you wish you had taken with you and what things you didn't need to take etc - would sure help with our packing - And wondering about that plane ride as I'm a little concerned about how he will manage

thanks cjg

Rich

I am wondering about surviors with aphasia, can the treatment help in the healing? Are any of the surviors on your floor affected by global aphasia? We keep hoping for more return for my husband. Any thoughts???

AnnK (from the Heartland, Iowa)

Rich, you are a real "explorer" and we are so lucky having you report first hand on all you are doing.

Your great attitude and optimism is encouraging for others.

You are far away, bur know we are thinking of you and "pulling" for you.

Please feel free to Pm or e mail if you feel lonley. Your friends are here for you.

Best Wishes for continued progress, Bonnie

ann...there are of course people here with aphasia as it is common with many stroke survivors...one says that his ability to speak has improved as well as his ability to read and comprehend printed words...

hi cjg...the thing that amazes me most is that the doctors here accept people several years post stroke expecting to help them!...hope is definately in the equation over here...that ignorant statement that we all have 6 months or so to get back our lost function is categorically incorrect and untrue...it's inspiring to see returns on people here with varying amounts of post stroke time!

ruth is back in the states...you're welcome to email me...i can answer privately if you'd like...

hi bonnie...again, great to hear from you...the alternative to my not exploring didn't look too appealing to me!...i shall blog about my experience here as well as report about the other people who are here looking for the same thing...we are just about at 5 weeks now...we'll all need a lot more time/treatment before any definitive conclusions can be reached and reported...i'm committed to sharing with my peers here...