Five years ago I collapsed and was diagnosed with a genetic herat defect necessitating an emergency aortic valve replacement.
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I was advised of a 4% chance of a stroke with the operation, 5% mortality which then rose to 10% and 20% as the time drew nearer. A stroke was the least of my worries
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I awoke in the post op recovery suite. Groggy as a result of the anaesthesia and eight hour operation- to be told by my nurse I was having stroke. Having an ICU nurse by my side together with consultants and doctors helped.
The next day I came around again to discover I could not move my left side or talk. I was horrified- I have a distinctive speaking voice. For the next four weeks I concentrated on regaining my speech and mobility. I succeeded and was allowed home to convalesce.
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Five years on the long term effects linger. Fatigue is overwhelming, I have no sensation in my left hand, side leg or feet and my logical faculties are reduced. My mobility is much reduced although my speech is fine.
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I offer this merely as an introduction, and look forward to exploring the forum further
Croeso, I hope you find the forum engaging and beneficial. I think the only way to overcome fatigue entirely would be to reach the state of a Zen Master, but unfortunately the machinations of our modern world do not make that state easily achievable.
Hi @garyswordz & welcome to the community. Not an outcome from your operation that you expected or wanted i am sure. Sounds like you made hood early progress.
Fatigue is a common stroke after effects and has to be managed carefully. You should plan, prepare & pace and have lots of rest in between activities. Easier said than done when you’re trying to get on with life. It’s also important not to overdo it on your good days as fatigue can appear a couple of days after your activity.
The Stroke Association have some useful info on fatigue which you can find at this link.
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke, it must have been awful to wake from surgery to be told that.
It’s great you made some good progress with your speech and mobility. As @Mrs5K has fatigue is common after a stroke and you’ll find lots of people talking about on it here so you may be able to pick up some tips from others on this.
I hope you’ll find this community helpful for your continued recovery. If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
Welcome to the forum @garyswordz and thank you for a great introduction.
With your five years plus experience of recovery and dealing with the challenges, I feel sure you have more to offer to this forum’s membership and I shall look forward to more from you.
Conversely, as you have already suggested, I think exploring this forum further may well be of interest to you and I hope you may get some sources of comfort and perhaps learn things that may help you with your continued recovery.
box they will all come up & you can explore at your leisure.
