I used to write doggerel for leaving dos etc and triedthis morning, only to find I’d forgotten how. However,went back to it and below is the result.
Like my knitting, not as before, but I can do it!
An Ode to my brain!!
Once I was a hooman bean, complete in every way.
Then I had a minor stroke which took a bit away.
I looked OK from outside and they said “You do look well”
But inside bits were missing and this, they couldn’t tell.
On the stroke ward (very nice) I made a cup of tea
Then up and down the stairs I went, the OT leapt with glee
It’s home for you this afternoon, you’re doing very well
It didn’t feel like that to me and some things didn’t gel
My addled brain had missed two days,which really was the end.
Control was lost it seemed to me, p’raps going round the bend
Once home I got into routine but slept an awful lot
“You need your rest, will do you good,” advice I often got.
Things seemed improved, less sleeping done and got out and about.
Then too much done, the next 2 days, the brain is fit for nowt.
I help out when I can and yes, I love to meet with friends,
Will normal service be resumed and when? “well that depends”
So push yourself, but rest as well, just get the balance right
This is no sprint but more an amble keeping the goal in sight
Each one of us is different and will make our unique way
I wake each morning,early. to a new and different day.
I welcome each new sunrise, and improvement lies ahead,
But some days are a challenge and I’d rather stay in bed.
My mantra is “Tomorrow will be different every time”
So on we go, but now I’ll stop as running out of rhyme.
I’m guessin’ you’ve got more rhyme and rhythm stashed away there somewhere.
Don’t hide it away, it is always great to get to read this sort of thing.
It is interesting to see how stroke seems to stir up the Muse and set the words flowing.
There are artists and poets here and it is a treat when someone decides to share.
I really enjoyed your poem. It is great & sums the stroke experience up really well.
I tried writing a bit of poetry when I first had my stroke. It wasn’t something I had ever done before & I found it a good way to express how I felt to those who were struggling to understand how I was. Here’s a link to my attempts which are not as polished as yours.
I just had a catch-up on your Celebrating Successes post from 2022. I missed it first time round as I wasn’t using this forum as much as I am today.
I first posted a while back and remember getting responses and advice from members which I found useful and now I can’t find their postings/responses. In going through your Celebrating Successes post I came across some of those names, but again I could see their contributions e.g. Loshy (Lorraine as I recall) and Mahoney. I am revisiting some of my posts to remind myself of the help and tips I received and there are gaps. Another who responded to my calls for help was SimonInEdinburgh, but again his responses are no longer visible to me. I think Simon replied as recently as last October or November.
Do you know why there are these gaps and how I can view these responses as they were very helpful to me. I just hope all the help I am getting from you and recent contributors such as Wendy, Roland and Bobbi et al will not also disappear
@ManjiB When people leave the forum and have their accounts deleted their posts also go with them. That’s why there are some gaps in some of the threads. You won’t be able to view them now I’m afraid.
OK - thanks for that. It’s a bit of a bummer as I was trying to revisit some of my posts and was looking for things that I recall being mentioned. E.g. Carpal tunnels.
It seems I may have to save things that I may want to refer to in case responders choose to leave and have their account deleted.
Just to be clear, if/when I leave, can I choose to have my content left on the forum? I would like to think some of my contributions would be help for others who may be unfortunate enough to find themselves in a similar situation to me. The thought of someone having to reinvent the wheel or go through the learning curve we’ve been through makes me feel sad.
On the subject of leaving the forum, you can simply stop posting and stop reading. All your material will stay as it is. No need for any drama and if you decide to take part again you can just carry on as if you never left.
If of course you prefer to have your account deleted I believe you have a number of options, including removing member name and your access to content, but leaving the material in place or having everything removed. I believe that choice is yours to make, but it might be as well to consult with a Moderator so you don’t make a decision and then regret it.
I can’t advise, yet suggest that the saying ‘Act in haste, regret at leisure’ could be very true here.
Next attempt! I think my rels were embarrassed by my weird behaviour on admission but a lot of this is hearsay!!
The Hospital Stay
I think I was a nuisance once arrived in A &E
Ex nurse I was a madam “a stroke good grief not me”
My son was there and told the nurse I’d got my age just right
And no, no stick or frame for her and busy morn till night
I thought the trolley far too short as I was slipping down
My protestations caused some angst, my relatives a frown (embarrassed)
I missed my brain CT as still adrift with dreams I guess.
But then carotid ultrasound I moaned about the mess
“It’s very cold, wipe off that gel, you haven’t done it well
That wet wipe just won’t do it and it has a horrid smell.
The lights are very bright and hurt, cover my eyes my lad”
OK Ma but I smell of fags, I hope pong not too bad.
Up to the ward ”I’m sorry love, your bay has men as well”
”I really couldn’t care at all and that’s the truth I tell”
Well until the call of nature came and off I tottered then,
from bathroom state t’was clear to me, the bay WAS full of men!!
A friendly morning ward round chat and I was on my way,
with daughter and my husband I was home that very day!
I find writing a great way to get out all the thoughts, the reactions and try to set them in some sort of order.
Receiving a response is life affirming. Yes, you are not alone as you move across the snakes and ladders board of life.
Both audience and performer get something out of this.
