hey bunny43:

welcome to wonderful online stroke support group. I wasn't as fortunate as you were, I suffered major stroke at age 34 which left me paralysed on my left side and retired me from my job at 34. Though fortunately I found this support group & blogging turned out to be very therupetic for me. we also have daily chat on weekdays at 3-4 EST and 8-9 EST. I did find after stroke you realize what is most important in your life. Even though I was putting long hours at work I realized my own family means world to me and nobody is indispensable at work. Thoufg after 6 years I love and enjoy my newnormal, its just different than what I would have envisioned.

hope to know more about you though your blogs and in chats.

Asha

(40 year old survivor)

hey bunny43:

 

welcome to wonderful online stroke support group. I wasn't as fortunate as you were, I suffered major stroke at age 34 which left me paralysed on my left side and retired me from my job at 34. Though fortunately I found this support group & blogging turned out to be very therupetic for me. we also have daily chat on weekdays at 3-4 EST and 8-9 EST. I did find after stroke you realize what is most important in your life. Even though I was putting long hours at work I realized my own family means world to me and nobody is indispensable at work. Thoufg after 6 years I love and enjoy my newnormal, its just different than what I would have envisioned.

 

hope to know more about you though your blogs and in chats.

 

Asha

(40 year old survivor)

Hello, and thanks for your nice message! I have been looking for a stroke survivor website and I'm glad I found this one. Sorry to hear about your stroke, but glad to know you have the love of a supportive family to see you through. I would like to participate in the chats, but have trouble logging in at times. I look forward to chatting with you and others in this wonderful forum. Life after stroke can be very daunting, but thank God we have sites like this and the determination to live life to the fullest. God bless and chat with you soon! Bunni

Bunni: welcome. I am caregiver to Bruce since March 2009 and like you, was so thankful to find this site and chat with people who know exectly what we are talking about and feeling. Please do post an Intro on the message board, first posting under Survivors. I am sitting in a hospital, not knowing if Bruce will live or die, and people are telling me to cancel the insurance on the cars for him and then when he got home, a visitor told me I needed new furniture. Sometimes I think they just don't know what to say, so say what it on their mind at the time without thinking. If the conversation becomes too tiring for you, and I think that may be the case, just excuse yourself or go home. We get so little information from our medical communities about Stroke, they just don't know, that the unanswered questions can be frightening and frustrating. I tried to find the Blog several weeks ago for you of a female stroke survivor who was dealing with the same issues you are but unfortunately could not locate it. I will continue to try to look for it for you. Mostly I think it is because they just can't get their minds around what happened, they themselves are scared and so revert to what is comfortable and safe. Bear with them. You will find a lot of mention of the "Normies" here and not all of it is nice. We do listen here so chat away. Our main focus is stroke recovery. Hope to chat with you soon, Debbie

Bunni: welcome. I am caregiver to Bruce since March 2009 and like you, was so thankful to find this site and chat with people who know exectly what we are talking about and feeling. Please do post an Intro on the message board, first posting under Survivors. I am sitting in a hospital, not knowing if Bruce will live or die, and people are telling me to cancel the insurance on the cars for him and then when he got home, a visitor told me I needed new furniture. Sometimes I think they just don't know what to say, so say what it on their mind at the time without thinking. If the conversation becomes too tiring for you, and I think that may be the case, just excuse yourself or go home. We get so little information from our medical communities about Stroke, they just don't know, that the unanswered questions can be frightening and frustrating. I tried to find the Blog several weeks ago for you of a female stroke survivor who was dealing with the same issues you are but unfortunately could not locate it. I will continue to try to look for it for you. Mostly I think it is because they just can't get their minds around what happened, they themselves are scared and so revert to what is comfortable and safe. Bear with them. You will find a lot of mention of the "Normies" here and not all of it is nice. We do listen here so chat away. Our main focus is stroke recovery. Hope to chat with you soon, Debbie

Hi Debbie - hope I am doing this right. Thanks so much for your nice message! Can't believe the things "well-meaning" people will say in times of crisis. When this happens, we have to take the high road and tell ourselves that people (for the most part) mean no harm but simply can't relate. I am glad Bruce has a caring and sensitive person like you as a caregiver. By the way, I posted in the Newbies forum and put a picture. I hope I did that correctly as well. Be safe, Debbie, and God bless you. Have a good evening!

Bunni...it is so amazing how your situation sounds so similar to mine. I had a mild right hemisphere ischemic stroke on September 15th that goofed me up good but I could still function and after about 6 months was beginning to adjust to the disabilities that happened. This was just a small thunderclap compared to the 2nd Stroke that occured 8 months later on April 16th. This one was a Thunder Bolt right out of the blue and caused a lot more damage to the left side than the first especially my walking and left arm. And, God, I am so tired this time!!!. Even with the second stroke, my family and friends think I am OKAY and that all this will go away in a few days. My husband tells me how lazy I am because I sleep so much and wants to know what kind of medication I am taking that makes me so forgetful and tired. This is infuriating. NOONE comes forward to help because they see no visable disabilities and they term your changes to mental problems because you are so depressed. With this second stroke, I have no fight left. I have black days sure, but I just cannot handle one more responsibility. I can barely take care of myself. I am glad I found you blog and hope to find one of my own. Starting tomorrow, I am going to try to take charge again. If it means leaving everything behind and starting over to survive, then God will be there with me as he has been in the past. My life is different. My outlook on life is different. And, for the first time in my life, I am afraid!!! I have been independent all my life. A multitaser, accountant, educator, mom, grandma, etc. No I am afraid to drive my own vehicle. I will keep you in my prayers and in my heart. Hopefully we can exchange a jab or two at the "Normies" who whine about trivial things they should be thankful for. **smack!** Until Later...Booklady

Bunni...it is so amazing how your situation sounds so similar to mine. I had a mild right hemisphere ischemic stroke on September 15th that goofed me up good but I could still function and after about 6 months was beginning to adjust to the disabilities that happened. This was just a small thunderclap compared to the 2nd Stroke that occured 8 months later on April 16th. This one was a Thunder Bolt right out of the blue and caused a lot more damage to the left side than the first especially my walking and left arm. And, God, I am so tired this time!!!. Even with the second stroke, my family and friends think I am OKAY and that all this will go away in a few days. My husband tells me how lazy I am because I sleep so much and wants to know what kind of medication I am taking that makes me so forgetful and tired. This is infuriating. NOONE comes forward to help because they see no visable disabilities and they term your changes to mental problems because you are so depressed. With this second stroke, I have no fight left. I have black days sure, but I just cannot handle one more responsibility. I can barely take care of myself. I am glad I found you blog and hope to find one of my own. Starting tomorrow, I am going to try to take charge again. If it means leaving everything behind and starting over to survive, then God will be there with me as he has been in the past. My life is different. My outlook on life is different. And, for the first time in my life, I am afraid!!! I have been independent all my life. A multitaser, accountant, educator, mom, grandma, etc. No I am afraid to drive my own vehicle. I will keep you in my prayers and in my heart. Hopefully we can exchange a jab or two at the "Normies" who whine about trivial things they should be thankful for. **smack!** Until Later...Booklady

Hi booklady! Hope you are having a good day so far. I want to compliment you in your desire to take charge and guide your future. Unfortunately, the very people we expect the most from end up giving us the least. Very often, "well-meaning" family and friends have no clue what we are going through. A lot of times it's wishful thinking on their part - they want us not to be disabled because they simply can't deal with it. So taking charge is the first step in maintaining a healthy attitude in dealing with your second stroke and your family's lack of support. I will pray for you and feel free to write and vent anytime. I know how hard things are and what you are going through. PS: We can exchange jabs at the "Normies" anytime - in fact, I'm looking forward to it!! Have a blessed day.