@Colint it is such a shame that you felt you had to withdraw from society a bit but I get what you are saying. It is definitely, wrongly in my opinion, seen as more acceptable for a woman to cry. I’m glad you have found something that works well for you.
Best wishes
Ann
Hello J @JustinH - this is to welcome you to this community.
So glad you have been encouraged by Ann’s @Mrs5K post.
Well done for “keeping it together” and please continue to fight and push hard for that is the thing to do 
Hope to hear from you more now that you’ve taken the plunge and joined the community
Namaste|
Hello Colin - Thanks for sharing your recent experiences. It’s nice that you have been able to get some help to manage your “waterworks” and that your emotions are much under control.
I hope you are now better able to socialise in person. If you haven’t, perhaps you can look up some local stroke survivor groups and attend their meetings.
Virtual socialising is always there for you and certainly there are meetings c/o this forum and the stroke association that you may be able to participate in.
Look forward to seeing and hearing more from you.
Namaste|
Thanks for the welcome!
I will “keep fighting and pushing” and will not give up on myself.
I hope to contribute and participate more in the community moving forward.
J
That’s great Justin.
From what I have seen, having a positive mindset and having goals to aim for aids in the recovery and success of recovery.
Things are easier when you are happy and when you are winning - the endorphins etc. There’s a lot more to it, much more than I know or could hope to know, but when someone never gives up on themselves they tend to succeed.
Wishing you all the best.
Hi @JustinH and everyone.
Reading this thread brought back memories for me of my first few months of adjustment on my recovery journey.
Pre-stroke I’d not been one for being over emotional, the occasional tear at major events (family funerals and the like), not through being heard hearted, just never seemed to affect me that way.
Moving on to immediately after and longer term post stroke times and I definitely am different. I did cry a fair bit when i came home, an overwhelming feeling of “that could have been the end” washed over me regularly, especially when talking to people for the first time and when i was tired.
I do well up a lot more now. I was very teary when I changed jobs, the previous company has been so supportive i actually felt i was letting them down by moving on! One particular thing to note, i love watching medical documentaries, particularly “Surgeons at the edge of life”, it’s very emotional see what they do and the amazing changes they make to people’s lives, i find myself welling up a lot😎
For me it’s a positive, i don’t mind people seeing me like that as I have also become a lot more open about me and my stroked life. I find it helps everyone understand the many ways we are all affected.
Very best wishes,
Phil
@EssexPhil I agree showing emotion can be a good thing. I warned my colleagues about my random emotions & they just allow me to go with it. They’re great really.
I too watch the Surgeons on the edge of life. It is amazing what they fo & tge impact they have on people’s lives. How rewarding a job that is - if stressful & exhauating.
I hope your new job is going well. I bet it was difficult to make that change after all the support you had from your previous employer.
Best wishes
Ann
Thanks for sharing your story.
Like you, I can be emotional when I share my story with friends, colleagues and people I meet.
Sometimes I feel good talking about it and sometimes the emotions hit me hard because it’s like I am reminded again of the reality that my life and the life of my family is now very different. It’s as if the reality has just hit me at that moment.
I cannot imagine the feeling of changing jobs when everyone is so supportive. I think you are very lucky because while many companies say they will support you or “be there for you” when in need, it’s not always the reality. I hope moving on was the right choice and that you have been able to settle comfortably in the new environment.
A big thanks for the pointer to “Surgeons at the edge of life”. I’m now into a few episodes and there are so many grateful take-aways from the situations of others. On the emotional front, it certainly pulls all the strings. It helps me to be more grateful than I already am and I will remain this way.
I hope you keep well and I wish you all the best, in work, and in life.
Regards,
J
fatigue is one of the worst side effects of a stroke. it takes away any little bits of
strength you have for fighting the multiple
challenges we all endure,it is not easy but
it essential to rest, when it all becomes too much, and don’t push yourself beyond your limits which are hard to assess,as you feel you are being weak,and giving in,you are not. as everyone says on here it is a marathon not a sprint. patience is the hardest thing to learn.
I have written quite a long reply, but I obviously didn’t send it directly to you
I am still learning how to use the site,
it is further down on this page.