Thirteen years ago, the day after my 52nd birthday, I had a stroke at work. I was participating in a weight loss challenge, and our group went for the weigh in. After I was going to go back to my office and last minute decided to go to the hospital cafeteria. I was trying to read the menu and it was moving, then it felt kind of like an earthquake. I realized it was me, backed myself in a corner and got one of my co-workers’ attention and they got me to the ER. I felt every movement and started vomiting non-stop. I was released from the ER at 4pm my first symptoms were at 11am. I was released with the diagnosis of vertigo. I had no stroke symptoms. I returned to the ER within the half hour due to blacking out on right turns. We returned to the hospital and I was unable to get out of the car. People mildly upset with me which only led to more confusion on my part. I was able to get on a gurney and started having severe pain in my right arm radiating up. I have no idea how long I was there but know I was admitted around midnight, still with vertigo.
The next morning a doctor came in and basically didn’t believe I should be there and put an order in for physical therapy to come and teach me how to walk with vertigo. Thank goodness for our therapists. She got me up and said this is not vertigo. Things started happening, MRIs, EEG, EKG, neurology, cardiology etc. More than 36 hours later came the diagnosis of stroke. Four days later I’m at a Rehabilitation Hospital and learning to function again. I left in a walker and continued with outpatient therapy. I have learned to shoot guns, do archery ride a tricycle, met my husband and run a stroke support group in Chesterfield, Missouri. I use my crafter skills again in church and the community, life is good.
I started running Miracles in Progress Stroke Support Group 6 months after my stroke. We are a small group of regular attendees with new stroke survivors who join us from the rehabilitation hospital where we meet. So in August/September will be 13 years. I am totally funded by myself although the space is given to me for stroke support use. We meet twice a month on the 1st Saturday and 3rd Monday. This is a great gathering of people with disabilities of all types along with caregivers. We have open discussions with a speaker now and then. We have done a few “craft” projects using mindfulness and feelings. I may be the facilitator, but I learn something almost every time. The best advice came from a Dentist paralyzed after his second brain surgery and became a one-handed dentist, flew and owned small planes, played golf he said, “take the word can’t out of your vocabulary or any negative”. You can!
I find the Niekro Foundation beneficial for information, particularly as a stroke support group facilitator. It’s another place to find positivity.
My words of advice for others is ‘Keep moving and have a sense of humor’.
