If you’re going through hell, keep going.
Winston Churchill
September 12th is my anniversary. It’s not your typical
anniversary – it’s the anniversary of my stroke that took place on September
12, 2018. It’s hard to believe, but I’m 100% recovered! And that’s hard to
believe, considering the severity of my stroke.
My
mother Shirley and I lived in the same apartment building. Every morning I went
up to Shirley’s apartment at 7:00am to say good morning, ask if she needed anything and tell her that I’ll see her for dinner. Then I set off walking to
work. I walk 10 kms/day. One morning I didn’t show up at 7:00am. It was now
7:15am and Shirley knew that something was wrong. She was afraid to come down
to my apartment so she called my friend Erik, who lived in the building and had
my key. He walked into 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 Erik I became unconsciousness. 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.
After a
few days I became alert. But boy, did I have a shock! My right arm and hand
were paralyzed and so was my right leg. To add insult to injury, I couldn’t
talk. I could understand everything but when I went to answer, the words were
stuck in my throat! I spent 4 ½ weeks at St. Mike’s. 
They
fed me by tube because my face was half paralyzed and they were afraid that I’d
choke. After 2 weeks I started to say a few words. My right leg was getting a
bit better, but no change to my right arm or hand. Three days before I was transferred
to Bridgepoint for rehab I started eating.
I was
in rehab at Bridgepoint for 4 ½ weeks. Everyday I had speech therapy,
occupational therapy and physical therapy. I told them that wasn’t enough so
they gave me an extra hour with the assistant occupational therapist. When I
was released, my right arm and hand were still paralyzed but I was walking on
my right leg a bit. I had outpatient therapy for 3 months. I asked my
occupational and physical therapist for work to do at home, so I had a home
program that I could do everyday.
I
gained back the feeling in my right arm and hand. I started walking again. I
started talking again. By March I was back to walking 10 km/day. My speech was
almost right. My right arm and hand were still weak, but getting better every
day.
It’s
now two years and I’m back to being ME!
I have to thank my best friend Sue Foster, without her I don’t
know how I would have made it. She put her life and her family’s life (husband
John Purvis and son Thomas) on hold. She worked in the hospital. She translated
for me! When I went home she took me grocery shopping. In short, she did
everything that a sister would do, and more. I owe her everything!
And thank you to all of my friends who were there for me –
Pam, Katherine, Everton, Judy, Sonya, Veronika, Josie and Rachel. Thank you
Janice and Judy and Lenny who came in from out of town to visit me in rehab.
You only have 3 choices in life. Give up, give in, give it
everything you’ve got.
Unknown
Make someone smile today.
Geri
