I am here, because I had a stroke and lived to tell the tale!
Since I had the stroke, I have been through a lot, some of it pleasant, most of it not.
Life has been incredibly difficult, but somehow I have lived through the ups and downs, the highs and lows and here I am putting pen to paper for the first time in a long time.
It seems some are surprised I am here, others are wondering why I am here. I have heard that some who found themselves in my position chose not to live - they did not put up a fight and yielded to the inevitable.
Today, I was enjoying the sunshine and thinking to myself as I always do, āToday is the first day of the rest of your life!ā. When you remind yourself of that fact, you then have to think what are you going to do about it?
I believe in many things including karma - in fact I am a strong believer in karma. My beliefs are what make me the person I am. I am not a complex personality, but maybe at the same time I am an extremely complex personality. I have a strong desire to live as best a life I can and I love nature and natural things, the natural way of life. I like to keep things simple - there is no need to make things complicated.
Of course, there is much I can talk about here and perhaps in time I will do so. For now, I will end my introductory message and say I wish you all the best.
Look after yourselves, be good to yourselves.
Remember, today is the first day of the rest of your life.
What are you going to do about it?
Welcome to the club none of us wanted to join.
When i first came home after I was in hospital I used to think:
Well this is how you are, there are two choices:
sit here and feel sorry for yourself
or get on with it.
Hi @Pea_WoS and welcome to the community. Hope you find it a supportive place to be.
I like how you view things as positivity does help a lot although I am sure things arenāt always positive. Well done on getting through the ups and downs and highs and lows.
So what I am going to do today? I am going to enjoy some time with my family.
Today I am being good to myself and relaxing because whether itās the first day of new beginnings or another day in my life, relaxation needs to be included when I or anyone else is trying to give 110% post stroke.
Every day I will do something about ābeing betterā. Being better at pushing myself, being better at relearning, being better at dealing with whatever challenges are in front of me as a result of my stroke.
As @Janetb puts it, āfeel sorry for yourselfā or āget on with itā and I choose the latter. Thats what Iām doing about it and I will continue to do so.
The image taken today has so many significant messages for me.
relaxation: because we all need it. So very different from my previous extensive European travel and business work life up until that dreadful hospital wake-up in September ā23
Progress: travelling again albeit nowhere near like before but progress nevertheless.
fatigue: it will and does slow me down immensely and unless I look after myself, it gets the better of me which makes me somewhat unproductive. Listening to my body and making sure I rest will continue to help my progress.
Gratful: to be greatful that Iām here enjoying this relaxing view with all the challenges I now face because it can be a very slippery slope and thoughts can run wild so for all the crazy ideas I might have been having or had wished, I am so very grateful for my life, my family and the opportunity to continue with life regardless of circumstances.
Community learning: this time allows me to sit here and explore the discussions in our community and learn from the discussions that are taking place. There is always loads of information, and the personal experiences or feedback can present some valuable or insightful information. This community also inspires and motivates me in so many ways so I am grateful for these online connections and time to participate
Sadness: I wonāt fool myself. I miss the āprestroke meā and the āamazing old lifeā but in the present, I want to be better and itās nice to have something to chase even if it may not be possible but Iām always the risk taker and ever so optimistic.
So with all the ups and downs, high and lows, Iām ābeing betterā today at how I think, feel,
Absolutelyā¦.life is to be lived. I think of my dad he died at age 53 he missed so much he was disabled had one leg had several heart attacks he enjoyed his last few years with grandkids, gardening where he could, holiday if only in the uk. He taught me life was for living and making memories that lived on in friends and family @Janetb you are so spot on
