I ha my stroke 9 days ago and luckily I WAS WELL ENOUGH TO COME OME 2 DAYS laterI have a fantastic husband and a wonderful family oes anyone have any hints or tips that as a family we can optimise my continued recovery.?
6 Likes
There will be ups and owns. Be patient with one another. Recovery is a natural process.
You and yours are not alone. There are loads of us here prepared to give an ear, or a little advice or even share a giggle. We are going through the same things you are.
Don’t be a stranger, share your news. We understand.
Sometimes it is good, sometimes not so good, but we are here and we stand together regardless.
keep on keepin on
5 Likes
I have found that setting a routine of tasks I can manage mixed with the correct physio/food and rest. Of course enjoy your life and family, they are a gift and you should enjoy them with all your heart.
4 Likes
Hi @revdoreen
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke but great news on being home.
We have lots of information on our website about recovering from stroke and the effects of stroke which might be helpful for you to have a read over.
I hope you’ll find this community helpful. If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
Anna
3 Likes
@revdoreen The love of your family and the support of them will help you immensely. My children are in Scotland as are my grandchildren and when I am with them I can see the difference in myself. Do things together, like going out or even just shopping. Family support is priceless. Good luck 
3 Likes
Knowing when to take time out to reset the brain is beneficial, and if others are aware you need to do that it can help manage fatigue levels.
4 Likes
Hi@ revdoreen
Sorry to hear of your stroke but welcome to our community. We have a wealth of experience in the stroke world and I hope you will find this a useful place to be.
It sounds like you are on an amazing road to recovery but I would just say, try not to overdo things. Plenty of rest will be beneficial in the long run. Listen to your body, eat well and get plenty of rest.
With the love and support of your family I’m sure you make many improvements, although you will have good days and bad days, so be patient with yourself if things don’t always go to plan.
Enjoy your family and we look forward to hearing from you as your road to recovery continues.
Regards Sue
4 Likes
Hi revdoreen welcome, I’m glad you are home and it seems you are doing well. Allow your family to support you as much as you need, take plenty of me time as well as resting and relaxing as you need this to promote a good recovery. Sleep as much as you need and as often as you need
Talk and share how you feel as stroke affects this and the more people who know the better- a problem shared kind of thing. Be patient with you and those around you as it’s a new day every day and their all school days. Wishing you and your family the very best on your recovery journey.
4 Likes
Hello @revdoreen - welcome to this community.
Yes, this forum and it’s members is a goldmine to help you and others for a continued recovery from stroke.
My personal favourites:
- Listen to your body
- Take plenty of rest
- Focus on good diet and a healthy lifestyle
- Exercise regularly
- Accept all the help and give help
- Appreciate your carers
- Share your wins
- Don’t fear the stroke that has happened or the stroke that may happen
- Nothing is more important than your health and your family
Wishing you a safe and happy onward journey.
Namaste|
3 Likes
Thank you all for your encouraging and comforting words. I am doing quite well. The only problems I still have are balance, visual negllect so I tend to bump into things on my left and a general deterioration in my vision. Reading somw peoples stories I now appreciate just how blessed I am in my remarkable recovery All thanks to the early stroke dicharge team who have offerred physio and OT in my own home for 6 weeks and, of course my lovely husband and family.
2 Likes
Hi @revdoreen and welcome to the forum.
Things you and your family can do to optimise your recovery. This may be long because I don’t know how to do short 
So you might want to get a family member to read it to you due to your visual issues 
Not knowing what other stroke issues you might have, these are just some general tips post stroke based purely on my own experience. I’m now 5 years post stroke and can do most everything myself, including driving, though I do still have some minor issues.
Take lots of breaks with your eyes shut and in peace and quiet. Anything from 5 minutes to an hour, however much time your brain needs to rest and vegetate for a while.
Go for walks, take walking sticks if you use them, but try to only use them as backup. Instead link arms with whomever you are walking with.
Always keep the kerb side of the pavement to your good side. Pretty much all pavements slope towards the roadside gutters. And most stroke survivors have some sort of balance issue to begin with. Slopping pavements make it harder to walk with a stroke brain. We tend to veer off to our weaker side; if that’s the side that’s nearest the road, you are more likely to land out in the road if you stumble or trip. I’m just speaking from my own experience and had my hubby to catch me. Ever since then he’s walked on the outside of me
But having someone with you allows you to concentrate on walking straight and tall. It also allows you to concentrate on your vision. And if the view becomes too much, overwhelming, as they will, just close your eyes for a few moments or look at the ground and allow your companion to just guide you.
And don’t be afraid to pull back if your companion walks too fast.
Do anything and everything you can for yourself. But always have someone to take over as and where/when needed or just abandon it for a time. Sometimes its just a matter of switching to another task that your brain needs. It only has a short attention span at the moment because the majority of it taken up with the repair work from the damage done by the stroke anyway.
Noisy and busy environments will become overwhelming very quickly so its always handy to seek out where the quiet spots are to take a break.
As a passenger in a car, don’t look out the window too often as that can bring on symptoms of vertigo. That’s also why the back seats are better than the front. And have something in your lap to look at such as a book, puzzle or whatever is suitable to your needs.
Abandoning tasks is perfectly OK, never feel guilty, that goes with the territory of stroke rehabilitation. We try, try and try again. The important point of any task such as making yourself a drink, loading the washing machine, hoovering, dusting, shopping, gardening, whatever, its all about the actions required and the thought process, it all matters! Its invaluable to your rehabilitation, no matter how little you are able to do right now.
It is a long slow climb, it’s a marathon not a race, it will take years. There will be progression and regression along the way, it’s 2 steps forward and 1 step back. But it is doable! You can and will get to a better version of you than the one you are now, so never give up 
Lorraine
2 Likes