Hi, I’m new to this group and have been reading some of the posts from those of you who have suffered strokes.
I had a stroke in September, fortunately it was quite mild but affected my speech and the left hand side of my face. I that realise that I was lucky that it wasn’t worse candy that many of you have had much more serious strokes, but I am still struggling a bit and would be interested in any feedback. My speech isn’t too bad now although I feel, I am having to concentrate on my words and the excess saliva makes it worse. I am trying to get some speech therapy but this may take time. I didn’t expect to feel so tired and emotional, even about small things. Having read up, it seems this is quite normal for many. I read that it often takes three to six months to get back to normal, does this sound right? Before the stroke, I was an active, confident and independent woman but I list all my confidence at first and trying to get back to some sort of normality now.
Hi @jill28
Hello and welcome
Sorry to hear of your stroke 
I’m very sorry to hear that you have lost confidence; that is fairly normal. Anxiety and emotional impacts are more significant, more common than any of the FAST type television advertising or even the conversation of medical professionals alludes to.
Maybe you describe it as mild because you’ve only had conversation with the professionals about the physical indicators? The damage done will have physical and emotional after effects
I’m sorry to say that while it’s possible and to be wished for No it’s not normal to …
For many the old normal is gone. To be grieved and moved on from.
The new normal is something that evolves in the following months or more normally years. The emotional impacts as you are discovering can be significant. The options include passage of time with appropriate acceptance ( grieving), meditation /mindfulness techniques and or medication (Which most of us have an aversion too But often those who try them say they are very helpful)
It is true that for most both physical and emotional deficits they become less and more accepted so easier to incorporate into our new normals. For the physical there are strategies that can leverage neuroplasticity which is a constant force and will be building your deficits into compensations if you do not consciously use it for the good.
I suggest that taking your recovery needs into your own hands (even if you can pay for it) Will be quicker and more effective than waiting for the NHS. Take and weave into your recovery any support offered but don’t wait for it nor expect it to have a more than shallow understanding of, and formulaic answer to your needs.
In terms of speech there are many charities focused on it with good information, support groups who know the useful exercises and ways of coping etc. There are many therapists who aim to raise their profile by being YouTubers offer helpful content often for free or a donation of some sort.
I have found the best way to navigate my new normal landscape is via peer support of which this forum’s community is only one element amongst many.
If you’ve been reading around you might already have seen some of the best resources but I do recommend if you haven’t already read then the Welcome post is a good place to start.
A closing thought (observation). Were you aware of the typos in your post? (I’m sure they don’t matter to anybody here. They may be markers for you)
If yes You were and the need to correct them did not matter to you then that’s fine.
If yes but the effort to correct them was too much for you when it wouldn’t have been previously then that is a marker you might consider.
If no and it would previously have irked you to discover them then that again is a marker of your affected cognitive processes.
Caio
Simon
SIG
Hi @jill28
Welcome to the community. I’m sorry to hear about your stroke and the difficulties you’re going through with your speech and confidence.
Whilst you’re trying to get some speech therapy there are many groups that are run specifically for people with communication difficulties after their stroke. If you’ve not looked at this before you can find a group, whether that’s online or face to face here. Going to a group or even meeting online may give you back some of the confidence you have lost.
If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community please don’t hesitate to tag me using my username and the @ symbol.
Anna
@jill28 If you’re interested in an online group a bunch of us meet every Thursday on zoom from 1:00
Thus. from 1pm uk time on https://bit.ly/StrokeCafe just click this link and you’ll join the meeting room which will probably be empty if you do it at any time other than Thursday afternoon 
Some of us have very degrees of speech issues from those who talk a lot to those who struggle when they do talk in various ways
You’re welcome any Thursday. We’re generally still going at 3pm but that’s the time when my fatigue is normally too much so I drop off but others continue
@jill28 Hi & welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your stroke but pleased that you are doing ok.
What you are feeling is very common after a stroke & can take some time to settle. Hopefully over the next few months things will get much better for you. I am 3 years on & still get emotional but it is better than it was.
Your confidence will build again over time too as you start to settle into your new routine. You’ve been through a major event it takes some getting used to & you are onky a couple of months in yet so don’t be too hard on yourself.
The first 6 months is when you will probably make the quickest / most recovery but you can / will make improvements far beyond that time if you continue to work at it.
Best wishes
Ann
Hello Jill,
I like to stimulate the affected side of the inside of my mouth with an electric toothbrush, even to the extent of using it the ‘wrong’ way round. Worth a try. Good luck,
Roland
Thank you to everyone who has commented, it is much appreciated and really helpful. Unfortunately there is little advice or support through the NHS so it helps to know that my feelings are quite normal and should improve in time. I hope you all also continue to recover