Wattsy,
Hi, can you name the top 5 difficulties you are having. Then I’ll have an idea of what might be relevant to you
ciao, Roland
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Hi I think everything is relevant
1 have left sided weakness which means after walking 50 yards my right leg calf muscle begins to hurt
2. can read no problem but get bad brain tiredness from it
3, when typing on my computer often do not
hit the key i intend or am looking at, my eyesight is fine
4 seems my brain and eyes are out of sinc
5. when I use both bad and good sides of my brain at same time get wacked out very quickly
wattsy
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I think it took me the best part of 2yrs to get to reading a book in a few days. And that’s easy reading fiction, the likes of those stroke books/non fiction were out of the question because they taxed the brain far too much and start to sizzle 
It’s a matter of persistence, reading every day. Being on the forum helped enormously both with the reading and writing. Long posts on here I used to have to read them in small chunks at a time, sometimes the brain would let me skim through a long post, other times it would take one look at a post and run for the hills . . . unfortunately I had to go with it 
The first year was a continuous rotation of little daily activities, and each one for just as long as my brain would engage. Hence the need for rotation: bored with reading a few lines, switch to writing/shape tracing; bored with that wash a few dishes; bored with that close eyes for a few minutes; bored with that, play with coins and pegs; bored with that, read a few lines…and so it went on. As time went on the brain improved, could do more things and for longer and longer periods.
Now 3yrs on my brain will let me read several chapters at a time but it still has this annoying little habit of wanting to skip the last line of every single paragraph 
Already, I’ve taken a couple of brief breaks from writing this reply, because the top of my head get hot and it’s not a physical heat. I don’t want to chance finding out what will happen after it starts to sizzle. I just know at that point it’s time to stop.
Slow carbs and protein is what you need for the gym. The carbs to give you sustainable energy and protein to help build muscle…including the brain.
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Fast-acting carbs: Glucose tablets, glucose drinks, full-sugar soft drinks or squashes, jellies (not diet), sweets/chocolate
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Medium-acting carbs: Bread, pasta, potatoes, yams, breakfast cereal, couscous.
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Slow-acting carbs: Pearl barley, peas, beans, lentils, sweetcorn, pumpkin.
Proteins
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Eggs, Milk, Yoghurt, Cheese (especially cottage cheese)
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Fish/Seafood
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Chicken/Turkey
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Beef, Lamb, Veal, Pork
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Nuts and Seeds
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Beans, Pulses, Soya
But to simplify it for you, I do a 2hr gym workout on a 100g bowl of porridge, 2 pieces of toast and a cup of tea 
And a protein bar to bring me home 
So a couple eggs, beans, bacon, toast or ham and cheese sandwiches and banana for instance. It really all depends on what you’ve had at mealtimes and how long after a meal you go to the gym. I just tend to go after breakfast.
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I was in contact with Peter after the stroke I had, a very generous and intelligent man who was fascinated by mental processes in forming part of the repair work done by the brain after stroke. Tragically, he passed away not long after we had opened communication. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to learn more from him.
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Thank you so much for writing all that, must have been a supreme effort on your part,and its not your first post either.
I am truly indebted to you
Wattsy
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Hi Wattsy,
I see your stroke was just over a year ago ; mine 1.5 yrs ; I am not much more experienced than you, and our symptoms quite different. Yours was Cerebellum, at a guess?
- R calf muscle means it is compensating and having a hard time?
- Reading tiredness = a touch of Alexia?
- & 4. Neurological for sure ; can’t say I’m completely free of that, myself
- Your awareness of R&L side of brain is good ; but unfortunately still unsettled
I’m out of my depth trying to suggest some reading for you, because I grapple with different issues ; affected leg / foot / spasms. Maybe you would identify with Jill Bolt Taylor’s book, “My stroke of Insight” ; it describes the shift in balance and the awareness she had of her right / left brain, and how they differ from each other. I don’t think it would be wasted time for you.
Wishing you lots of good luck,
ciao, Roland
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HI
Your guess is correct, have ordered a copy of My stroke of insight will read and use it as a reference point, must say its easier to type when not tired, not nearly so many mistakes.
My stroke was actually only 3 months ago early February2024 so only 3 months in so far, guess that could make a degree of difference on what I am currently experiencing.
Many thanks for your time, help and advice, so many good people on this sight.
good luck
Wattsy
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Hi Simon
Will check out everything with the consultant when I see him, depending on my time allowance,
appointments being given in hourly segments, so guessing will be pushed time wise so will have my list at the ready.
appreciate your time and help much appreciated
Wattsy
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Sorry have no idea what YMMV OR YMDV mean translation please.
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Very good point
Wattsy
Take your point, but for me if you take away the possibility of recovery there is not a lot left to hang on to, staying the same as I currently am would simply not be acceptable to me, to be honest hope is all that is keeping me going right now.
Wattsy
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HI sorry to bother you again, but just noticed that amongst your list of stuff to eat are eggs, bacon, cheese, and a number fairly fatty meats, how do you manage to include all these albeit in moderation and still keep your cholesterol levels down to whatever specified levels they have given you, i guess statins may do this for you if you are able to take them?
Please respond at your leisure and apologies if I am being way too nosey.
Regards
Wattsy
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So long as you don’t sit still long enough to allow the rigor mortis to set in, you will make progress. It’s just that it takes months and years rather than days and weeks to make progress. There is no room for despondency, a moment yes, but then you pick yourself (or we’ll do it for you ) and you carry on. There are always going to be lulls in progress and you’ll sometimes feel you are flogging a dead horse, but you are not beat. Those lulls are merely times to appreciate and rejoice in the progresses you have already made. They are also good times to try things from a different angle. But you “Keep on keeping on” as Bobbi would say
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Hi Simon
Understood, better to know the realities from the get go, you have explained it all very well, so thank you, beginning to get my mind round it all a bit better now, i do get a bit carried away at times.
Thanks
Wattsy
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And not for the first time you have lifted me up, compared to you and many others here I am a mental wimp, I will work at making myself less so, and give you some peace, you all have your, own battles to fight, its about time i began to fight my own and man up, and I will.
I cannot begin to repay you and all the others here who have dragged me kicking and screaming this far.
Bless you all
WAttsy
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Ah but I’ve always been finickity about my bacon, I’m not a fat lover in general From long before all this good and bad cholesterol became fashionable. So I’ve always trimmed the fat off bacon and steered clear of the streaky bacon.
Eggs, I may 2 in a month. Its about quantities, never too much of anything and you go for the leanest of meats. Variety is good for you but my main go-to’s are chicken, fish, the 5% fat mince meat, they’re daily staples. But I’m juggling between controlling my diabetes, whilst keeping my weight up and staying fit and healthy and it doesn’t take much to tip the balance. I leave my cholesterol numbers to my gp to keep an eye on while I watch the rest. I know my numbers were up a tad last year but nothing the gp was concerned about. My next blood check is in a couple weeks so I’ll see if it’s up any more, then reassess.
Yes, I do take the standard 20mg atorvastatin.
But what I eat I burn! I do an hours strength & balance then an hour’s walk Monday, a 2hr 6 mile walk Tuesday, an hours Pilates Wednesday, then a 2hr workout in the gym Thursday and Friday. In between all that I have usual housework, shopping, gardening etc. So yes, I burn what I consume
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You need never leave us in peace Wattsy, we are only too happy to help and reassure you when you need it most. Don’t ever stop asking for what you need to know because that is what keeps the fear and worry at bay to help your brain recover. Besides, my stroke is my hobby, that’s how I treat it now, because it’s got me doing so many new things and I’ve met so many wonderful and fascinating people along my journey both stroke and non stroke . . . and you are another one
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In 1959 (?) or around that time, a scientist called Richter did a test on some lab rats. He noticed they swam for 15 minutes, then drowned. So he decided to rescue a few at 14’ and give them a bit of a rest before seeing how long they lasted this time. Answer ; they swam for 60 hours before drowning.
See what a little bit of hope does?
Good luck, Roland
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That is truly amazing fighting diabetes as well, you have my congratulations and admiration, what a a determined fighter you , and an inspiration to me and no doubt to many others.
Have a good night, and wonderful day tomorrow.
huge thanks to you, and all the others who have come to my rescue during the last 3 months,
bye for now
Wattsy
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message received loud and clear
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