What is it that drives you on to get better

[Dynamite36]

What drives you on to get better when many people could just give up, ithink it was just built in me from my work just to never give in and try to do your best and never give in

[moo196]

One of the drivers in my case is to live the years that my mum never got to have.

She died aged 48 so I'm already 4 years up! ☺️

Also determined to do the gap year travel I promised myself.... Even though I now have to do it in stages.

Oh, and want to see both my boys get their next graduation....

Had to dig deeper than I knew was possible to get this far mind you....

[malalatete]

I only really started to get better when I took my foot off the accelerator, stopped pushing and driving and allowed myself to be the different person I had become - mind you my main problems were acute onset ME and FND (the aneurysm and surgery were incidental) and it is generally recognised now that trying to push through these is potentially catastrophic.

So I don't push or drive now as I know that tends to create a vortex effect. I pace, at times I plod. When I need to I rest. When I get it wrong I crash - but that happens a lot less than it used to. I don't attempt to multitask. I accept I can't remember (anything reliably at all!). I know to double check what day I think it is, before I start to think about where I need to be - if anywhere.

Only as I have relaxed and accepted where I am has my leg function and mobility returned. Cognitive functioning is still not great after 7 years, suggesting the damage caused by my illness was probably irreversible, but I have developed coping strategies, key amongst them is the realisation that it does not matter if I am not superwoman.

The thing I have never lost though is hope. This IS all going to be alright. That was hardest to cling onto when housebound by fatigue and mobility problems but even then I found small comforts - crafting to raise money for church, being a listening ear to people when no-one else had time, watching my boys grow up in a way that I would have missed out on as a working mum before.

It stopped being about 'getting better' a long time ago for me. It is about getting the best I can from - and giving the best I can to - each day that miraculously opens up ahead of me. And if my brain wiring goes heywire and I find I can't walk again by the end of today, then I will just shrug and get the scooter out of the shed, counting the many blessing I still have to hold.

[keeley24]

Just boredom and wanting to get back to normal . When I first came round from coma I couldn’t do anything myself. Had catheter in and feeding tube as I couldn’t get up and a breathing tube in my neck which meant I couldn’t talk. I had to write what I wanted to say and I’m left handed and that side was effected worse. I was asking when everything would happen getting impatient, main 2 things I wanted to happen were the breathing tube out as I could breathe fine and wanted to talk and physio to be able to get about myself a bit. Managed to walk with frame in first few days so catheter and feeding tube were removed. By now it was just boredom I wasn’t in major rush for anything. I knew it was my balance that I needed to improve still had physio and they were getting me walking with them holding me. After about 2 to 3 week I was managing probably could of managed without walking frame but wasn’t too bothered to get rid. Eventually physio came and asked if I would feel ok if they took frame. I knew I was ready so agreed. Rest of recovery I’ve just seen as trying to improve myself which would come in time.

[Lyndaryan1 in reply to keeley24]

Hi, I suffered a Sub Arachnoid Heamoraghe just over 10 years ago & the after effects sound so much the same as yours. My job was all about Multi Tasking so to not be able to do anything like that ever again was REALLY frustrating!! I started taking one Omega 3 capsule a day after watching a TV Programme with Professor Winston testing youngish children who he had proven were really bright but failed miserably in exams. This was all related to poor Memory. He showed in the programme that the electricity in the brain which is really relevant to memory was the main cause. He then put these kids on a one a day Omega 3 Capsule & within a very short period of time the electricity flowed much faster & could jump any gaps rather than working slowly & stopping when it just couldn't attempt to jump any of these gaps. I thought I had nothing to lose so I started taking just 1 a day. It was incredible the results. I had been walking around every waking hour with a pen & pad for well over 2 years & had no improvement whatsoever. Within 3 weeks of taking these fish oil capsules the pen & writing pad had gone!! The results in my case were astonishing!! I'm sure as hell not saying it's the same for everyone but honestly it's got to be worth a try. I've recently had aneurysm surgery which again left me with short term memory problems so I started taking them straight away & my husband tells me he can see a huge improvement. It's something readily available in most Supermarkets & Chemists but you never know it could be of real help.

Good Luck I know it's not easy & the sheer frustration of it all nearly broke me

Lynda

[Kirk5w7]

Just wanting me back.

Mostly I'm there but can't muti task any longer plus have some physical restrictions, my brain no longer processes at the rate it used to and I've lost some fine motor skills which make my knitting and crocheting etc somewhat challenging. However I still try. I make jewellery too now , more challenges!!!

Janet xx

[paxo05]

My initial drive was ignorance of my condition. I basically didn't realise what injuries I had.

Then it was trying to get back to how I was. A thankless and useless task.

Finally after realisation that this was it. It was to try and live and not survive anymore.

I realised I would spend most of my life how I now was so decided to make it a long life.

Pax

[sospan]

I have always been self reliant and determined to do things by myself. The thought of being cared for by other wasn't acceptable to me.

Sometimes you have to dig in deep and get on with it.

However, I do now realise that I am not indestructible and do in fact need help with things

[Hidden]

I've always been very headstrong and determined. Knowing that the effects of my bi, I had a stroke, could've been much worse makes me more determined. Giving up on striving for a better quality life/health is not an option for me. I feel very fortunate to believe there is more recovery to be gained. 😊

[RogerCMerriman]

Not really sure to be honest, I was keen to get back to where I was, there is a fine line between pushing too hard, and giving stuff a go.