Recovery from sah brain surgery and stroke

[philbou]

Hi my wife is currently in rehab for this

She is Hemiplegic on right side and also has loss of speech

I know everyone’s stroke recovery is different

Would love to here from anyone who’s faced a similar situation

[nottinghamforest]

Sorry to hear about your wife all stroke recovery are different my husband had a stroke in 2012 which left him with communication problems and he has to rehearse what he wants to say now he has come to the point where he won't get any better but still struggling on, keep your chin up you are not alone.

[philbou]

More concerned about The Hemiplegia and ability to walk again

Communication is going to be hard too. But I know that’s a long slog

[cat3]

Your wife's brain will still be adjusting to the changes, and exhausted from its recent traumas. And other areas are fighting to compensate for the damaged part and to re-learn stuff which has been lost.

You're seeing slow progress, which is the norm after a stroke or any other brain injury, but what you're not seeing are the continuous workings within which need lots more time and rest (whatever it takes) to achieve the enormously complex and amazing modifications to allow your lady to function again.

Look back at how far she's progressed and you'll see, in months to come, how much further. It's a lengthy process which won't be hurried. It takes as long as it takes, and each person has their own timeframe. All you can do for the time being is give love and support ....................and to encourage that precious sense of humour your wife has managed to hold on to !

Best wishes to you both Phil...………. Cat x

[philbou]

Thank cat

It’s really hard to keep positive

I see tiny steps forward but also notice when things stop working

It week 14 tomorrow

Sounds a long time

But in timescale of her injury it’s tiny I know

Want so much to give her hope I know it’s all about attitude and determination

[AlmaMatters]

Hi Philbou. I’m sorry to hear about your wife, I’ve been where she is now - 9 years ago exactly but mine was left side (avm and an sah). I agree with everything Cat has said. It’s extremely frustrating but it needs time and a lot of it. I was in rehab for 6 months after being unable to move a single part of my left side to learn to walk again which I did. I’m still unable to use my left hand unless for very basic things and I can’t work. It’s frustrating as hell but I have to try and look at the positives like it could have been and nearly was so much worse.

Everyone of course is different and it’s tempting to compare but I’d try not to if you can. Comparing myself to others often just gets me down as I see them doing much better etc. If someone is doing worse than me it just makes me sad for them. It’s an incredibly difficult, long and, truthfully for most, never ending journey. I wish you and your wife all the best. Be patient and get help and support for you both wherever you can. Lots of luck.

Erin

[philbou]

Thank Erin

Hope your ok

I know it takes time

I can see her getting worried and depressed about it

I keep being positive and tell her show her stuff like this

Just don’t know what else to do

Maybe need a different approach to it

[AlmaMatters]

Yeah I got really depressed in hospital too, it’s to be expected. That time in my life was horrific. I was worrying constantly about the future. My husband did what you have done, joined a site and showed me the responses and similar stories. It really helped me at the time so you definitely should if you think she’s up to it and it’ll help. Being positive will help her, even if it seems like it isn’t. It really will help. I used to copy little positivity notes people said to me in texts etc on my phone. That helped too and I’d read them when I got down. I’m thinking of your wife, I know exactly how she feels. It’s such a scary, uncertain and frightening thing to go through.

[Adidrive]

Hi

I’ve just been reading your posts and the similarities between our experiences are uncanny, happened around the same time to begin with, same reasons and similar problems as a result of the bleeds.

I can honestly say I wish I’d known about this forum when my partner was unconscious and for the following few weeks as I didn’t really know who to turn to, but I did speak to Headway and visited my local branch and they helped.

All I can do is echo what others have said and that’s keep fighting on as you have to believe in light at the end of the tunnel.

I’ve found the honest opinions of people on here a great help and if your wife is in a rehab unit like the one my partner is in then they are there to help and involve you too. She’s in the RNRU at Homerton and the OT told me not to stop advocating for my partner as families are the ones that know the patient the best, and despite my own fears and worries I am seeing tiny tiny improvements, not every day and not even every week but I am seeing them

I have no idea if this is of any help to you but I hope that it is even if it’s in a small way

[philbou]

Thank you

It’s a great comfort to me