DISAPPOINTED with your progress post-stroke?
- Maureen Harrop
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
There’s HOPE!
One of our loyal subscribers asked me a question recently that caused me to seriously take stock with my recovery:
Hi Maureen,
I’d like to see more information about ongoing term recovery. Post 10 years:
how to stay motivated with regressing skills?
I’m finding that keeping up with pt workouts frustrating, because I’m past seeing progress and am daily workouts to be able to keep going, even though I’m seeing no improvement; and the effort gets more exhausting each day. Thanks so much for what you do.
Regards,
Chella G.
Chella, thank you for your question, and you’re very welcome!
I hear you, loud and clear! I’m 10-years post-stroke as well and can empathize with everything you’ve said!
Can anyone else relate to this?
I sure can! I’m wrestling with this dilemma as well, as you’ll see below.
I’m not sure I have any words of wisdom; but I’ll try…
Possible SOLUTIONS
There comes a time during long-term recovery when we must come to balance our strong desire to recover, combined with the additional damage that may occur due to our recovery efforts.
This discovery hasn’t been a fun thing. I really thought by this point, I’d be much further along because I’d recovered so much better from other injuries. I’m reminded over and over, this isn’t the same!
Anything that involves damage to the brain will always be more challenging.
So, how do we cope and manage this fact physically and psychologically?
My PHYSICAL Solutions
I’ve eliminated:
All P/T because of…
No improvement whatsoever. I’m 10 years older now;
Reinjuries: The well-meaning therapists struggle to “fix” this 76-year old body, while accidentally re-injuring other injuries. For instance, pre-stroke I was diagnosed with right-knee osteoarthritis (unaffected knee) which has only worsened in 10 years due to overuse; and p/t has only exacerbated it.
All OT except with ONE experienced and exceptional OT! In the state of Arizona, he’s the only one I’ve found with extraordinary abilities! Otherwise, it’s a waste of time and effort. He has done more to help my affected hand, arm and shoulder than anyone else! Click here to read an article from Mark Ritter, my OT.
My PSYCHOLOGICAL Solutions
Mentally, I continue to:
Believe I will recover
Remember what I can do,
Use words like, “I haven’t recovered yet;”
Make a list of what I will do when I get well; and…
What I can do in the meantime!
Maintain a gratitude journal! It really helps! Check out this helpful article on journaling with gratitude.
Music
Guitar. Pre-stroke, I played guitar and sang regularly, which was a very enjoyable activity for me. I’ve done so since I was 13 yrs old, when I taught myself how to play.
Singing. As a teenager, I sang in the Catholic church choir, the high school glee club, etc. until my hand is functioning again, I’m focusing on finding a voice coach to help me recover my singing voice!
Listening. I love all kinds of music, including opera!
Reading books that have nothing to do with stroke recovery has become a habit lately! :-)
I’m currently reading a series of 27 novels that take place in New York City in the late 1800’s. I’m thoroughly enjoying them because I lived in NYC for 14 years in my 20’s and 30’s, and they’re very well written and fun! I haven’t read a novel for many years, so this is absolutely delightful for me!
Nature has restorative properties! Combining it with…
Physical activity is a bonus! You must ask yourself - What can you do and remain safe? I take a walk outdoors, proceeding very slowly and cautiously!
INNOVATIVE Stroke Recovery Methods
Scientists are working tirelessly on a number of innovative recovery
methods!
INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL RECOVERY
CRISPR TECHNOLOGY
CONCLUSION: As sad, depressed, and possibly angry we are with our current circumstances, let’s all vow to have HOPE!!!
Dream big!
Take a look at 87-year old Diana who fulfilled her dream!
It’s not to late to HOPE!
Maureen
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