Post by louie on Dec 7, 2017 18:35:53 GMT -5
I don't know if this is the proper place for this, but I thought I'd share my experience with Life after a Stroke as a wife and caregiver.
In 2015 my husband known as "Grumpy Gus" had throat cancer. We made it through a diagnosis of stage IV .. he had a TIA one morning as I was getting ready for work. This 5 days after an anaphylactic shock response to a chemo drug. It mimicked a stroke and spent 5 days in hospital along with further radiation [continuing the cancer treatment...]
He did have some balance damage but seemed okay. No one figured out the why of the TIA.
In May he had the same exact symptoms as his TIA so I called 911.
Okay. We are now in December.
He can walk, he can use both sides equally. The stroke was pretty significant in that it the blockage had to be removed surgically.
Speech. He can actually communicate pretty well. At first he could only speak..."Alone." Repeated with a certain urgency in the voice meant certain things.
His words for things seem to disappear on him. The stroke effected language. He can read and understand but not follow a long conversation. Any long stimulus in the language area tires him.
He also has COPD.
When he struggles to help with chores, he gets short of breath. That depletes oxygen to the brain and heart and causes confusion.
So he can't recall what he wanted to do next or sits in the shed staring blankly at the wall.
Strokes are different for all those who have them. Because they have not figured out the 'Why', his meds have not changed dramatically. However he does have a brain aneurysm, but it is deemed to be too risky to 'fix'.
All of this should make us feel like crap. Be depressed, be angry, be sad... however we somehow have decided that we should ...
Just BE. One day at a time.
His new motto is:
This is me: Grumpy Gus "As Is"
I think our combined attitude through the last few years have helped.
The New Grumpy Gus gets tired easily. Gets confused if he exerts himself. Can't always prioritize things that need to be done on the farm.
But he still smiles each day.
And thinks I am his beautiful Wife.
That made giving up my lucrative job easy and being his caretaker even more pleasant.
Oh yeah. I DO suffer CareGiver Burnout. Don't get me wrong. I am not a Saint!
In 2015 my husband known as "Grumpy Gus" had throat cancer. We made it through a diagnosis of stage IV .. he had a TIA one morning as I was getting ready for work. This 5 days after an anaphylactic shock response to a chemo drug. It mimicked a stroke and spent 5 days in hospital along with further radiation [continuing the cancer treatment...]
He did have some balance damage but seemed okay. No one figured out the why of the TIA.
In May he had the same exact symptoms as his TIA so I called 911.
Okay. We are now in December.
He can walk, he can use both sides equally. The stroke was pretty significant in that it the blockage had to be removed surgically.
Speech. He can actually communicate pretty well. At first he could only speak..."Alone." Repeated with a certain urgency in the voice meant certain things.
His words for things seem to disappear on him. The stroke effected language. He can read and understand but not follow a long conversation. Any long stimulus in the language area tires him.
He also has COPD.
When he struggles to help with chores, he gets short of breath. That depletes oxygen to the brain and heart and causes confusion.
So he can't recall what he wanted to do next or sits in the shed staring blankly at the wall.
Strokes are different for all those who have them. Because they have not figured out the 'Why', his meds have not changed dramatically. However he does have a brain aneurysm, but it is deemed to be too risky to 'fix'.
All of this should make us feel like crap. Be depressed, be angry, be sad... however we somehow have decided that we should ...
Just BE. One day at a time.
His new motto is:
This is me: Grumpy Gus "As Is"
I think our combined attitude through the last few years have helped.
The New Grumpy Gus gets tired easily. Gets confused if he exerts himself. Can't always prioritize things that need to be done on the farm.
But he still smiles each day.
And thinks I am his beautiful Wife.
That made giving up my lucrative job easy and being his caretaker even more pleasant.
Oh yeah. I DO suffer CareGiver Burnout. Don't get me wrong. I am not a Saint!
