Shit Happens

Symptoms continued and worsened.  We then decided to take an ambulance to hospital the next day. I casually lounged on the gurney for hours until they found a room. Despite the misdiagnosis during my previous visit, staff at the hospital were good.  My doctor was baffled.  I was the perfect weight, my blood pressure was good, cholesterol in check and overall a clean bill of health.  This is when the doctor so eloquently stated “Shit happens.”  Described as a “Pontine” stroke was overall minor but had long-range implications for my recovery.

 

Now how am I to cope?

Stroke is the third leading death in Canada. I, like many, are in the dark about strokes. It is not uncommon as there are about 50,000 stokes a year in Canada. Every hour left untreated, your neurons die. For the first three months, I was just going through the system. Our system is stressed to the max.   I was one of the high functioning stroke victims and therefore, less time devoted to my rehabilitation. One-on-one support was only available in the early days.  So I decided to take things into my own hands. 

 

Be proactive with your own rehabilitation.  I learned quickly that you can out live the supports provided so I took my healing into my own hands.  This is my life. I found my own physiotherapist, my own swallow specialist, my own personal trainer.  I visit my trainer twice a week and physiotherapy twice a week. It has been an incredibly painful to break down scar tissue in my tongue and learn movements all over again.  Out of pocket expenses? No.  Alberta Health is covered and I also have a personal plan so I am not out of pocket. 

 

Don’t pick just anyone.  You have to find the right one for you.  I go 45 minutes, twice a week one-on-one with both a personal trainer and physiotherapist.  My physiotherapist has an amazing understanding on rehab and exercise for stroke victims. Ask lots of questions.  I had to find a swallow therapist as well.  All three (therapists, specialist and trainer) have worked together and created a sessions to compliment each other’s efforts.

 

Moving forward: What does the future look like?

Take care of yourself.  Ensure you have a balanced diet with reduced sodium.  Keep your weight in check.  Don't smoke. Watch your blood pressure. Exercise. I did all of this, except, and take a baby aspirin once a day. 

 

This challenge has now given me an opportunity to share my story.  Awareness and education is an important ingredient to prevention. My goal is to help create a vehicle so that everyone has access to quality rehab regardless of income.  For example, the YMCA currently has the “Bridge to Fitness” program for sever cases heart attack, stroke and other debilitating  illness.  You pay if you can afford do it and if not, free. The goal is to develop a “Bridge to Fitness 2” for high functioning patients cut loose by the system.  Expand and educate people about the benefits on swallow therapy. Develop a health first attitude.

 

I am in control of my future.  I will choose how to spend the rest of my life. I will be making different decisions as I move forward on what is the best for my health.  We all get to choose how to deal with our shit.