hey Katrina:

sending you lot of virtual hugs, I hope you feel better soon. with disability its very easy to get down on PMS days, yes I agree not every day will be good day, but when bad day like this comes just remember tomorrow is another day, and you are more than your left hand, you are here for a reason. I strongly believe happiness is a choice, & some days we have to choose to be happy. your thoughts are not your life or you, so watch your thoughts.

Asha

You owe it to yourself, I mean this is the place to vent and let off steam, I certainly understand where you are coming from! :Tantrum: :throw: :uhm: :hug: I'm still in your corner thru thick and thin, Fred!

thanks you guys

Hry Birdie, I'm so sorry to hear how caged you feel but I get it. Stroke sucks big time and in the young folks like us I believe it's particulcrly devastating. I was just about to begin my career after finally completing 7 years of training after medical school and the stroke hits and everything is on hold... I still get anngry that this happened to me sometimes but when I get into that place I stop whate ver Im doing and take a few deep breaths in an effort to calm myself Always always let out the basdd feelings because they are poison that will ruin your progress and rob you of your hapiness. I'm grateful to still have lotsd of indepemdance, I drive myself and I get around town in taxi's h=when I don't want to drive because of traffic or parking considerations... That helps me to feel less burdensome and childlike. Im just staying focused on getting better and I've got plans for my recovery. Havbe you read any of the books written by other stroke survivors like Stronger After Stroke? Its a good book anmd I find it very useful for refocusing my perspective when I get down on the pace of my recovery. It helps me gather p my will and try again. I completely believe in the ability of our brains to recover I've seen it too many times and as a stroke neurologist I've learned the physiology that allows recovery to happen. I have to remind myself not to give up several times a dfay. I know that even though i cannot see coutward changes in my body when Im trying to use my left hand arm or control my distal leg or foot. Im focusing and nothing is happening... Well, nothing I can see anyway, tYou see all our continued efforts and attempt to use our weak parts makes physical changes in the brain that will enble us to relearn how to use our weak parts I know it willhappen it jut taked my continued effort, more patience than I ever knew existed in the world and time. But I can already do things now that I couldn't do months or weeks ago so I know it's happening. There s always HOPE after stroke. ALWAYS Never Give up pn your recovery. I've started an excercise regimine in t gym at my condo to supplemnt my outpatient OT and PT and I believe that too will help me to get back on my feet, without a can or an AFO. I know I willget there. Stay focused and don't ever give up ! Ever! your life is worth it and recovery is real nd achievable, it's no t easy but it is acgievable but onl if we keep at it ) trust me Im a doctor LOL but seriously though trust me.Its a philoophy that has taken me very far I've been driving myse4lf to and from work three days a week since lasy Aug and I live in Manhattan NY and work in New Jersey so I'm talking crossing the George Washington Bridge and using highways.. but Im doing it. I drive entirely 1 handed ( tright) as I still don't have control or udsse of my left hand but I'm working on it still.