The stroke whispered
in my ear “You’re not strong enough to withstand the storm.” Today I whispered
in the stroke’s ear, “I am the storm”.
Unknown
On
September 12 I had a stroke. Before I tell you my story, I need to say that I
don’t want to be remembered for my stroke. I’m smart, funny and play a bad game
of golf. I love the theatre and the AGO and ROM. And I love to shop. I’m
telling you the condensed version of my story in case it helps in any way.
My mother
saved my life. We live in the same building. I usually leave for work around
7am, so I drop in to say hello. Well that day, I didn’t. By 7:30 she was in a
panic so she called a friend of mine who had a key to check on me. As he walked
in to my bedroom I was on the floor with a towel and I could see him. I
remember saying to myself that I had to stay awake until someone came. As soon
as I saw him, I passed out. I don’t remember the ambulance ride or any
treatment in the hospital. I just remember waking for a few minutes at a time
in ICU to see my best friend Sue.
A few days
later I was moved to a ward. That’s when I became aware of my reality. I couldn’t
talk except to say Yes and No. In my mind I could have a whole conversation,
but I couldn’t say the words. My right arm and hand were paralyzed and my right
leg was partially paralyzed too. I couldn’t eat solid food, only mush. I could
not get out of bed to go to the bathroom; I had to make in my diapers.
I spent 5
weeks in the hospital. I could say more than Yes and No, but nothing earth
shattering. My right arm and hand were still paralyzed but my right leg was
getting better. I was still wearing diapers. Three days before I was moved to
rehab, I started eating solid food.
I spent 4
weeks in rehab. I got rid of my diapers; YEAH! I went from a wheel chair, to a
cane, and then walking free of aids. I had occupational therapy, physical therapy,
and speech therapy every day. My right arm and hand were still paralyzed.
I was
finally released and had out patient therapy Monday and Thursday. The only
change I made in my house was that I got a bench for the shower (I used it for
1 month). I couldn’t cook but Sue took me grocery shopping every Saturday (I
bought prepared food) and we went out for sushi lunch. It was a great day! I already
had a cleaning lady, so her work resumed.
The out
patient therapy was magic! I had the best occupational and physical therapists
on the planet. They gave me homework to do and so 7 days a week I did an hour
of physical exercise. And my right arm and hand started moving again! My out
patient therapy is over. My occupational therapist said that she’d never seen a
patient recover so quickly.
I still do
my exercises. And I’m now looking for a job –
communications, change management.
My 2 Gold Medals are to my doctors – Dr. Daniel Selchen at St. Mikes Hospital and Dr. Heather
MacNeill at Bridgepoint Rehab. I found out when I was home and recovering that
my stroke was so bad that only one in four patients survive well. Thank you
from the bottom of my heart.
My Platinum Medal goes to Sue. I could never have done it without her!
Lessons
that I’ve learned:
- Make sure
you have insurance. Without my insurance I don’t know where I’d be.
- Make sure
that someone has medical power of attorney.
- Make sure
that someone has banking access.
- If you live
alone buy the Phillips Lifeline. If you fall and can’t respond it will call the
ambulance.
Strange as
it sounds, I was never sad, even for one day. I knew that I was going to get
better and I was prepared to work for it. Now I have my life back and I’m
happier that words can describe.
I will never give up
because I’m a stroke survivor.
Unknown
Make someone smile today.
Geri
