I am recovering from a stroke

[MysticSang'ha]

Howdy howdy!

Still alive and kicking.

I had an acute infarct in the upper left lateral thalamus. Small stroke that damaged mobility in my right arm and just a little mobility in the rest of my right side. I can walk, talk, eat, smile, and many things. My right arm is what's semi dead right now.

I am expected to make a full recovery. It'll take time and lots of therapy, but I've gotten this far in life, I shall manage.

Love bunches! <3

I have been documenting my progress via social media through video and posts. To keep it quick here, I have started ballet again and am back to doing daily yoga exercises. It's awkward, due to the strength and stability lost on my right side. But it's returning slowly.

My BP is so far fairly stable.

I've lost 10 pounds though (that's what concerns me due to the rapid weight loss). I'm ensuring diet and calorie intake is healthy and sufficient so hopefully that will plateau soon enough.

I can sign my name. Much to the delight of my employees and landlord with checks given to them.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Physical therapy is happy to see swift progress. I'm functioning at...I'd say....90%. My hand is still a LITTLE numb, especially my index finger. I am unable to feel temperature or fine sensations with it. My morbid curiosity wants to light it on fire but I think my doctor would be very mad at me for it.

The rest of my arm is getting feeling back and strength quickly. I'm very happy to be doing yoga again.

Last night I made it halfway through pointe before I had to bow out. As strong as I'm getting, that was tough. But halfway through on toe shoes isn't bad at all.

So now it isn't just getting me back to functioning. They're training me to be an athlete again with my recovery. With careful and close monitoring, I have a great team helping me out.

 

[Thief]

so tell us about your diet.....

I'm having a can of salted green beans and a bottle of clear spumante...
right after work and right before I crash.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

so tell us about your diet.....

I'm having a can of salted green beans and a bottle of clear spumante...
right after work and right before I crash.

Low sodium
Low saturated fat

We had bison burgers last night with a dash of sriracha. Mmmmmmm.

 

[Thief]

A coworker had a heart attack a few weeks ago.
He is now on a low sodium diet.

so....Is salt really the culprit?
if so.....I'm doomed.

 

[TurkeyOnRye]

A coworker had a heart attack a few weeks ago.
He is now on a low sodium diet.

so....Is salt really the culprit?
if so.....I'm doomed.

Sodium increases blood pressure, and hypertension is a primary risk factor for developing heart disease. I'm sure I could do with lower sodium in my diet.

 

[Penumbra]

I'm sorry to hear that Heather.

My thoughts are with you for a speedy and full recovery.

 

[Madhuri]

Howdy howdy!

Still alive and kicking.

I had an acute infarct in the upper left lateral thalamus. Small stroke that damaged mobility in my right arm and just a little mobility in the rest of my right side. I can walk, talk, eat, smile, and many things. My right arm is what's semi dead right now.

I am expected to make a full recovery. It'll take time and lots of therapy, but I've gotten this far in life, I shall manage.

Love bunches! <3

My affection and best wishes are with you. I'm glad that it isn't more serious that it might have been and gad that you are expecting a full recovery. Phew! Keep safe.

 

[Thief]

oh! btw....so glad you are on your feet!

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Thanks all. More PT today. Bit by bit things are getting better.

 

[dust1n]

Physical therapy is happy to see swift progress. I'm functioning at...I'd say....90%. My hand is still a LITTLE numb, especially my index finger. I am unable to feel temperature or fine sensations with it. My morbid curiosity wants to light it on fire but I think my doctor would be very mad at me for it.

That reminded me of what it felt like to lose feeling on the left side of my body. The numbness was fun at first until the motor functions started to go not being able to feel anything at all. Weird having to teach one's self the appropriate amount of force necessary to hold a water bottle or a pencil.

Keep up with the PT, work though the warm and stingy sensations. That's part of the recovery of nerves.

Hope all is getting better and better.

 

[4consideration]

How are you doing now, Heather?

 

[Smart_Guy]

Howdy howdy!

Still alive and kicking.

I had an acute infarct in the upper left lateral thalamus. Small stroke that damaged mobility in my right arm and just a little mobility in the rest of my right side. I can walk, talk, eat, smile, and many things. My right arm is what's semi dead right now.

I am expected to make a full recovery. It'll take time and lots of therapy, but I've gotten this far in life, I shall manage.

Love bunches! <3

 

[MysticSang'ha]

How are you doing now, Heather?

Thank you for asking.

Yesterday was an interesting challenge. Menopause waved hi again without my estrogen helping me through. Hot flashes came back, though not as nauseatingly volcanic as they had been before.

I'm typing better now. Still slow, but fingers are hitting the right keys more often.

But full workout with cardio and full sessions of yoga are every day now. Yesterday I got through an entire pointe class, and my instructor even challenged me to do full turns en pointe! (I wobbled and fell, but that should get better).

All in all, every day is a little better, with new challenges I would not have suspected before the stroke.

Thank you! Love you bunches!!

 

[Aquitaine]

Howdy howdy!

Still alive and kicking.

I had an acute infarct in the upper left lateral thalamus. Small stroke that damaged mobility in my right arm and just a little mobility in the rest of my right side. I can walk, talk, eat, smile, and many things. My right arm is what's semi dead right now.

I am expected to make a full recovery. It'll take time and lots of therapy, but I've gotten this far in life, I shall manage.

Love bunches! <3

Bugger. I'm sorry to hear that you've had to endure such a thing, but I'm glad you're expected to make a full recovery. You strike me as the Tough Cookie type, so I'm sure you'll come out on top!

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Bugger. I'm sorry to hear that you've had to endure such a thing, but I'm glad you're expected to make a full recovery. You strike me as the Tough Cookie type, so I'm sure you'll come out on top!

Thanks. It's my New Reality. Too many people have gone through this before me and too many people have worked hard on research and development with intensive therapy techniques, pharmacological means, and robotics....to think that I'm alone. The support system for stroke survivors is beyond phenomenal. Accessing these resources is the way to go. I'll be good.

 

[FearGod]

Thanks. It's my New Reality. Too many people have gone through this before me and too many people have worked hard on research and development with intensive therapy techniques, pharmacological means, and robotics....to think that I'm alone. The support system for stroke survivors is beyond phenomenal. Accessing these resources is the way to go. I'll be good.

Sorry to hear that you have been unwell for awhile and i'm glad to know that you're recovering and feeling well, my best wishes for you.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Update:

My typing is better. I can feel the keys a little better and recapturing muscle memory in my hands. I still hold a spoon weird....I mean it FEELS weird....but most people are unable to see the difference.

I'm functioning pretty good. And stage work en pointe is now a definite. My strength is back. Feeling the toes in my pointe shoe, though, isn't there yet.

I can run again, too. That's back. Well, technically I DON'T run for exercise, but I can if I want to lol. I stick with power walks and intense yoga and Pilates exercises in addition to dance classes for my fitness regimen.

I can handle a knife again, and cooking is a joy for me again.

So I'd say functionally, I'm at 90%. A few things are awkward, but overall my muscles and joints and tendons are getting me where I need to be.

Here's the downside:

I still lack sensation for the most part. I am really looking forward to being able to feel light brushes on my skin, or clothing on the right side of my body, or even if something scratches or burns. I feel pressure. That's a start. But fine sensations are a long way away.

Also, my brain has been processing differently. It takes longer for me to communicate something and for me to understand what is being said to me. Confusion is more frequent. But it's not unmanageable. I lose my train of thought more frequently....but THAT is a moment of humor for me and for the folks around me.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Update: ...

Thanks. Are you still fabuliciously gorgeous?

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Thanks. Are you still fabuliciously gorgeous?

Always will be in my own Heather-y way. Thank you, love.