Guest lwisman Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 I discovered a breakthrough this week, which I wanted to report. As many of you know I am eight years post stroke. Many would be skeptical that I would see improvement. A few day ago I managed to get a lot of ice (don't ask how) on the kitchen floor. My sister heard the crash and came to help. She bundled up the rug (if you are wondering the back in rubberized so it sticks) and took it outside to shake off the ice. While she was gone I got the broom out and decided to try to sweep. I have poor balance and something like sweeping with a broom has been out of my realm of tasks since my stroke -- can't maintain my balance while sweeping. I discovered that I can now maintain my balance while sweeping. I had to concentrate on what I was doing but I didn't fall or have to catch a fall. Life is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mfrank Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 YES LIN, LIFE IS GOOD - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Mfrank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosejill Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 Lin, that is awesome! That tells you and all of us stroke survivors to never give up---hope. congratulations.....take care...rose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pprovost Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 Lin, I am so pleased that you passed on this news. I am also 8 yrs post stroke and it is wonderful to hear that i may have a breakthrough some day. I am just curious to know if you ever visualized sweeping before. I sometimes visualize moving my fingers like I was playing a piano. Works for cancer patients so maybe it can work for us. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlen Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 LIN, GOOD FOR YOU. IT'S HALLOWEEN, SO NOW YOU CAN RIDE THE BROOM INTO THE SUNSET. MARTY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fking Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 Lin, That's good news and it goes to show all survivors don't give up/in or out. Healing is like a baby growing up, it takes time to go from infant to being ready for school years. Think of how much they develop and learn prior to their first day of grade school. In a sense survivors are the same way, have to relearn from ground zero to recovery. Longer for some than others. We do make progress as you have done. Keep on sweeping, who knows, you may be able to shovel snow from the walkway by Christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phyllis4732 Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 Lin, this is great! Bet if the situation came about a few years ago, you would have been able to do it then too. We don't know if we don't try. Now after 2-1/2 years I know why a question was asked that I thought silly. Medicare has therapists ask questions and then it is evaluated by someone and it tells them about your condition. The question was - Would you sweep a floor? I thought that was a strange question. Isaid yes, and yes, I am able to do it - and my balance stinks some days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstockman Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 WAY TO GO LIN CONGRATULATIONS!!! Bonnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig_G Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 Lin, Congratulations ! Isn't it strange how you can avoid a task for a long time because it's too difficult, or outside the range of movement etc. but then you try it weeks/months/years later and and discover you CAN do it. You are proof that we shouldn't give up ! Cheers, Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hz462 Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 lwisman, I'm right there with you. I'm close to 3 1/2 months post stroke and I still can recognize improvements. I'm never going to give up the thought that I can still improve. Congrats!!! Don't stop trying!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
door60 Posted October 29, 2005 Share Posted October 29, 2005 Wow !!!!!!!!!!!!! 100 TIMES WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dorrie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glaidice Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 ABSOLUTELY SUPER LIN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fking Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 Sandy, I agree with you, and since the ER Doctors are usually the first ones to see stroke patients, the "brief study" and personal experience they may encounter is normally compared to other patients they diagnosed in prior cases which could go back a couple years. Otherwise I can't see why so many patients are told by doctors they may never walk, talk or may be in a vegetative state and never recover from the stroke. By the time you get to see a Neurologist or a brain specialist, you are ready for rehab. Atleast that was my experience. We have many members here are living proof that recovery continues for a long time. Of course, some don't make it, but we have over 4000 here that has survived. We know it's not being reported, look at the caregiver who come to this site seeking more information aside from what they were told by the doctors initially. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deenie Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 I sure do agree with the lot of you that stroke survivors can improve after the drs. say they will not ... My hubby is proof of this, he has continued to improve to improve in all aspects of his life. I think that the reason for this is he is a very stubborn man and was not afraid to attempt anything before his stroke so still thinks he can do most things now, He has come a long way with his cognitive problems and I feel he will keep on improving for a long time yet.... Yes when I think of the doom and gloom the Drs. give you it makes me sick to my stomach, If he could just get over his depression and negative attitude we would be sailing ,, I know he knows he is getting better and he tells me so , but has to keep remembering to stay positive..we both had a fairly good day... going to watch the grandchildren play hockey tomorrow they are 14 year old twin girls... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom71 Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 Lin, That is Great I'm so happy for you! God Bless, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkirshenbaum Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 Hello all. I am 3 years post stroke and continue to see small improvements. I did not have much loss of mobility and am now nearly 100% recovered. My left hand is still weak and I have some trouble typing, but I believe that over time that will improve. Also, I can't serve a tennis ball yet, or play golf-- but watch me next spring. I will forget all about the difficulties I've had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bella Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 congrats lin, I am 5 years post stroke and though I don't see myself getting much better, others around me continue to remind me of how far I've come. I refuse to settle for where I am now and know I will continue to improve. stories like yours really do help to inspire and give new hope to all of us. Keep on sweepin'! Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest librarylady Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 15 years in and what I've learned is to give it a try - accept that somes days it won't work, when I'm tired(stressed), I'm off balance, but other days I can do it all. I might pay a little later but I'd rather live than stay on the sidelines. Every success boosts our confidence and pushes us to go a little further Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdotterer Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 Dear Lin , I just Suffered my 3rd Pontine stroke in August. w/ more rt sided residual. At first I couldn't talk and had no movement on the right side and was one dizzy dude. But I was determined to try to get back to my Quilting and sewing and playing w/ my grandchildren. So ever so slowly I've managed to do that step by step. When I had my first Stroke my MD told me I would never quilt again and I said in your face. A year later I made my granddaughter a quilt..... So one has to struggle and not listen tio negative vibes and try to do realistic goals and ask God for help and move forward inches at a time if need be but anything is possible w/ God's help and our willingness to believe we can do it... CathyD0t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PVINSON5 Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 GREAT NEWS!!! could i have news some news. 3 yrs. from stroke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrone_40 Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 Hi After reading allyour replies It was very encouraging. Do you'll continue to take your medications are tend to skimp on them sometimes.? Tyrone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phyllis4732 Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 Cathydat, I like your attitude. It's what we all need. I absolutely agree with you. It just sometimes takes a little while and lots of work. I can't quilt - because I never learned to. LOL Good quilting to you. Phyllis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HostAsha Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 Lin: congratulations, that shows if you never stop trying things do improve, that reminds me I told hubby today I will clean up leaves in our frontyard. once again thanks for sharing, reminds me never to give up trying, miracles don't happen if we don't try Asha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdotterer Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 I think the one thing I have learned is not to play w/ my meds. Anything I do w/ my meds is in conjunctionw/ the MD knowing exactily what I'm doing. My system is so funcky due to the Pontine Strokes and allergies to meds I have a great respect for Meds and my Body not to play around w/ Meds it's to dangerous a thing for me and my brain and I already have enough deficits. Cathydot : : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasco Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Congrats... and thanks for sharing; it encourages all of us! Jasco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.