Hi,folks. I’m 80. I’m not very good at being brief. On Nov 30th my husband said I went to bed at 8pm because I felt sick. Shortly after I made a weird noise and didn’t respond to him so ambulance called ( he had been in hospital twice the previous week for triple by pass and valve but cancelled ,I’d fetched him back an hour and a half drive the day before my episode, he has undiagnosed mild cognitive impairment, still waiting for appt)
Don’t remember anything of the day I was admitted nor much of Sunday on stroke unit, though I was texting people. Monday I was assessed and discharged.
Everything works but brain had felt very fuzzy. I couldn’t cope with doing two things at once and was hugely fatigued but better this week.
Had telephone follow up with consultant yesterday. CT showed maybe left TIA, but MRI two weeks ago showed changes on Right brain.
He says it’s a stroke but I have to have repeat MRI to rule out possibility of a tumour. My fault for asking what did he mean changes or if growing. He says I can drive so hoping he thinks just an odd presentation for a stroke.
I am a worry bucket at the best of times. I’m on anticoagulants and treatment for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation so a bit sad had a stroke anyway. I am slowly getting my head round it and know I’ve been very lucky. Coping with uncertainty not my strong suit!! Hoping to get some tips.
Hi @Bagrat and welcome to the forum 
Try to relax and chill, that’s about all you can do 
I dare say all the worry and stress over your husband hasn’t helped with your current condition.
Your brain is in healing and repair mode so no, you won’t be able to multitask, it’s got enough on its plate as it is, hence the fatigue and fuzziness. For some that clears up in the first 6 months, for the others, they just learn how to manage their fatigue. All you can do for now is rest frequently and eat a good well balanced, protein rich diet because that’s the brain food. So no skipping meals, it takes a lot energy in healing and food provides that fuel 
And when I say rest, that can be anything from a short hours nap during the day to just taking 5 minutes here and there to sit and close your eyes to give your brain a break between tasks from all those outside influences. Even time on here is going to tax your brain so those visits shorts and sweet
Keep things like driving to a minimum, avoiding long journeys and avoid motorways as much as you can. That sort of activity is taxing on the brain and the last thing you want is to get fatigued half way through a journey. And certainly avoid stress as much as you are able; do you have family you can call on to help out. Mind you, I even felt overwhelmed when family/friends called around in the early months post stroke. Mine was 2 TIA’s 4 years ago and I can still get fatigued.
So just one thing at a time is the way forward for the next few months, keep doing all the things you’d normally do, just halve the quantity. Think quality over quantity, dust if must, the basics, that sort of thing 
Just put yourself first for a change
@EmeraldEyes such good advice. I’m a long retired nurse and was so good at giving advice, not so good at applying it to me!!
I am trying to rest and recuperate. Had a nap before lunch. Have even ordered some ready meals which I hate! Thank you.
Yes I have a couple of nurses and a doctor in my family and they were good at giving out advice too, oh how the tables do turn 
In saying that, don’t we all really
My mother-in-law used to buy ready meals from M&S, she found them the most palatable. Do you have anything like a slow cooker at all? That would good cooking up a batch of stew and freezing it in portions. Simple enough to do, just put a load of chopped veg, potatoes or sweet potatoe in the bottom, chopped or minced meat on top, season with herbs, salt, pepper, and a pint of stock i.e. a pint of water and a stock cube
@EmeraldEyes I had been batch cooking in prep for husband’s admission and recovery. I love my slow cooker and have pressure cooker too. Freezer is now jam packed so must remember to delve. I make my own bread and freeze that and TRY to keep up to date list of what’s in little freezer in kitchen and small chest in garage.
Thanks again. Practical ideas always a great help
In that case you would get on great @Bobbi, he’s very into his home cooking and bread making
Back to the kitchen - squidgy loaf recipe revealed - a short history
@Bagrat just popping by to say hi & welcome to the community. @EmeraldEyes has given you all the advice I would have given so I won’t repeat it but i will just say rest is very important especially in the early stages.
It sounds like you’ve a lot to worry about at the moment but try & put it to the back of your mind. Distraction techniques can help there.
I batch cook loads now as makes things so much easier. Like you I just have to remember to delve into the freezer and eat what’s been batch cooked.
Hope the repeat MRI provides some clarification on things for you.
Best wishes
Ann
@Mrs5K thank you. It means a lot to be getting support here. I have such good friends who just don’t quite get it. Everyone locally has offered any help we might need and my daughter is a brick but 200 miles away so for her to have been up and down 3 times since Dec 1st is hard for her. Have a son half an hour away but he is not a coper and just wants to hear I’m fine.
I am trying to pace myself walk the dog for 10 mins the day I’m not having a shower (luckily Woofer is 14 with arthritis so doesn’t want to go far).
I don’t think anyone who hasn’t had a stroke truly understands but it’s good that you have some great friends. Take all the help you are offered as that will help with fatigue etc.
Sounds like you’re pacing things well which will help loads too.
I’m sure your daughter doesn’t mind visiting however difficult it is for her. I know I woukd have moved heaven and earth to help my dad when he was terminally ill.
Best wishes
Ann
Hi @Bagrat
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke.
It sounds like you have a lot going on at the moment, @EmeraldEyes has given some great advice about resting and food. We have an article on fatigue which you may find useful to have a read of. You can find it here.
It’s great to hear you’ve got support and friends around you. And also that you’ve got your woofer! What type of dog is it?
If you need anything whilst you’re using the community please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
Anna