Stroke Camp – One week down, one week to go

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I’m reluctant to post this here for several reasons, the biggest of which is I don’t want to define myself as “the stroke guy”. But here I go, anyway, because I know this will be therapeutic for me and I remember how helpful CC parents were with my</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/869823-pet-death-not-essay-topic.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/869823-pet-death-not-essay-topic.html&lt;/a&gt; and
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/874763-you-helped-me-through-my-sorrow-now-please-share-my-joy.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/874763-you-helped-me-through-my-sorrow-now-please-share-my-joy.html&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>threads. So please accept my apologies in advance if I am being overly self-indulgent. Maybe I should try to find a stroke survivor discussion forum, but that’s not how I roll. I like to hang out here.</p>

<p>My stroke was October 30, 2008, so I’m approaching two years. It was a major stroke (I suppose they all are) but I was rushed to a hospital quickly and had great care. It hit the right side of my brain, so it is my left side that is affected. I’m left-handed.</p>

<p>As stroke survivors go, I’m highly functional. I regularly run into past acquaintances unaware of the stroke who are surprised to learn that I had it; they typically comment that I seem fine. I believe my cognitive abilities are unaffected. I feed, bathe, and dress myself fine, I exercise regularly, I drive a car, I’ve skied again, my DD takes me out hiking and trail running in limited doses, etc, etc. My speech is a little slow but not bad and I limp a bit, but therapy has helped with that. My biggest problem is with fine motor skills with my left hand: handwriting, chopsticks, and things like that.</p>

<p>Last Monday I started a two week stroke rehab program. It goes M-F, 9 to 3. There are two program directors, six therapists, most or all of whom are post-grad students, two volunteers, and six patients. </p>

<p>I entered the program with the objective of rehabilitating my left hand fine motor skills. One of the program directors recommended that I constrain my right arm for the two weeks in order to stop the cycle of right hand compensation for left handed tasks. I agreed, and the first day they put my right arm in a cast from above the elbow to halfway up the fingers.</p>

<p>That may have been a mistake; for the first time since my stroke, I regularly feel frustrated by my extreme difficulty with regular daily tasks like buttoning my pants, putting on shoes and socks, bathing, putting on deodorant, and other basic bilateral (two-handed) tasks that, unlike most stroke patients, I have been able to perform all along. Frustration aside, the prescription is working. My left hand is now compensating for my right and I’m focusing on working on tasks that I had been avoiding, such as handwriting, left handed cooking tasks (cracking and beating eggs, folding omelets, etc.), shaving with my left hand, and throwing a frisbee. They’ve had me do piano scales (I’ve never played), playing jacks and pick-up-sticks, and other annoying yet therapeutic things.</p>

<p>Sensing my frustration, on Thursday the director gave me the homework assignment of making a list of bilateral goals I would like to work on if they determined I had made sufficient progress by week’s end to warrant an early removal of the cast. Thursday night I went crazy with my handwriting; where normally I do all my writing on the computer, Thursday I had three legal pads going, one with business tasks, one with therapy goals, and one with other personal tasks and goals.</p>

<p>Friday I shared my therapy goals with the director and my primary therapist. They both thought I should keep the cast on over the weekend and take it off Monday morning.</p>

<p>Monday is swimming day in the therapy pool, so rather than swimming with a garbage bag taped over my arm I’ll be swimming sans cast. This is exciting for me, because I was a competitive (though not particularly fast) swimmer in HS and I’m looking forward to trying a few racing starts, flip turns and, of course, the butterfly.</p>

<p>I’m doing my best to keep a positive attitude but it’s not easy; along with the victories there are setbacks and frustrations every day.</p>

<p>Typing this has been a challenge. Other than some left hand only drills, this is my first typing since the cast went on. My left hand is handling the left side of the keyboard OK, but my casted right hand is doing a middle finger-only peck.</p>

<p>I don’t know what to expect with this thread. This is an unusual post. If it gets 50 views and no replies and quickly falls of the first page that’s OK. If it gets any traction I’ll post updates daily. In case I forget, and in case anyone is interested, remind me to tell my “recuperative power of music” story.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading.</p>

<p>Edit: Whoops, I meant to put this in the Cafe. I’ll re-post there and hope this dies quickly. Sorry.</p>

2

<p>I’m reluctant to post this here for several reasons, the biggest of which is I don’t want to define myself as “the stroke guy”. But here I go, anyway, because I know this will be therapeutic for me and I remember how helpful CC parents were with my</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/869823-pet-death-not-essay-topic.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/869823-pet-death-not-essay-topic.html&lt;/a&gt; and
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/874763-you-helped-me-through-my-sorrow-now-please-share-my-joy.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/874763-you-helped-me-through-my-sorrow-now-please-share-my-joy.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>threads. So please accept my apologies in advance if I am being overly self-indulgent. Maybe I should try to find a stroke survivor discussion forum, but that’s not how I roll. I like to hang out here.</p>

<p>My stroke was October 30, 2008, so I’m approaching two years. It was a major stroke (I suppose they all are) but I was rushed to a hospital quickly and had great care. It hit the right side of my brain, so it is my left side that is affected. I’m left-handed.</p>

<p>As stroke survivors go, I’m highly functional. I regularly run into past acquaintances unaware of the stroke who are surprised to learn that I had it; they typically comment that I seem fine. I believe my cognitive abilities are unaffected. I feed, bathe, and dress myself fine, I exercise regularly, I drive a car, I’ve skied again, my DD takes me out hiking and trail running in limited doses, etc, etc. My speech is a little slow but not bad and I limp a bit, but therapy has helped with that. My biggest problem is with fine motor skills with my left hand: handwriting, chopsticks, and things like that.</p>

<p>Last Monday I started a two week stroke rehab program. It goes M-F, 9 to 3. There are two program directors, six therapists, most or all of whom are post-grad students, two volunteers, and six patients. </p>

<p>I entered the program with the objective of rehabilitating my left hand fine motor skills. One of the program directors recommended that I constrain my right arm for the two weeks in order to stop the cycle of right hand compensation for left handed tasks. I agreed, and the first day they put my right arm in a cast from above the elbow to halfway up the fingers.</p>

<p>That may have been a mistake; for the first time since my stroke, I regularly feel frustrated by my extreme difficulty with regular daily tasks like buttoning my pants, putting on shoes and socks, bathing, putting on deodorant, and other basic bilateral (two-handed) tasks that, unlike most stroke patients, I have been able to perform all along. Frustration aside, the prescription is working. My left hand is now compensating for my right and I’m focusing on working on tasks that I had been avoiding, such as handwriting, left handed cooking tasks (cracking and beating eggs, folding omelets, etc.), shaving with my left hand, and throwing a frisbee. They’ve had me do piano scales (I’ve never played), playing jacks and pick-up-sticks, and other annoying yet therapeutic things.</p>

<p>Sensing my frustration, on Thursday the director gave me the homework assignment of making a list of bilateral goals I would like to work on if they determined I had made sufficient progress by week’s end to warrant an early removal of the cast. Thursday night I went crazy with my handwriting; where normally I do all my writing on the computer, Thursday I had three legal pads going, one with business tasks, one with therapy goals, and one with other personal tasks and goals.</p>

<p>Friday I shared my therapy goals with the director and my primary therapist. They both thought I should keep the cast on over the weekend and take it off Monday morning.</p>

<p>Monday is swimming day in the therapy pool, so rather than swimming with a garbage bag taped over my arm I’ll be swimming sans cast. This is exciting for me, because I was a competitive (though not particularly fast) swimmer in HS and I’m looking forward to trying a few racing starts, flip turns and, of course, the butterfly.</p>

<p>I’m doing my best to keep a positive attitude but it’s not easy; along with the victories there are setbacks and frustrations every day.</p>

<p>Typing this has been a challenge. Other than some left hand only drills, this is my first typing since the cast went on. My left hand is handling the left side of the keyboard OK, but my casted right hand is doing a middle finger-only peck.</p>

<p>I don’t know what to expect with this thread. This is an unusual post. If it gets 50 views and no replies and quickly falls off the first page that’s OK. If it gets any traction I’ll post updates daily. In case I forget, and in case anyone is interested, remind me to tell my “recuperative power of music” story.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading.</p>

3

<p>You go! Never too late to teach old neurons some old tricks they’ve forgotten ;)</p>

4

<p>Good for you for being proactive and working at those residual problems. My dad had a major stroke 10 or 12 years ago and kind of blew off the PT. I suspect he thinks that because he’s always been determined, intelligent and strong that he wouldn’t need to do that “fluffy” stuff like exercises and such.
Your left hand activities sound great. Have they offered any speech therapy? It’s probably too late for my dad, but his voice has never regained its strength and is rapidly diminishing. I hope that’s not a problem for you, or if it is, that you go about treating it like the rest of your “stroke camp”</p>

5

<p>Well you type better and with less typos and spelling booboos than most people who haven’t had a stroke so keep doing what you are doing!!</p>

<p>Interesting information about some of the rehab stuff. Please come back and let us know about both your frustrations and your triumphs.</p>

6

<p>It’s a great story, Sherpa, and there may be those of us who will benefit from the telling. Strong history of stroke in my family, so it could be me, though I sure hope not. I worked with my dad and the home PT on his L sided neglect, as they tend to call it in the R handed. The anger, the frustration, the lack of ability to WANT to push activity on that neglected side was immense, which is why I’m impressed with your effort. Keep us informed as the week progresses. Am intrigued also, that they did this as an intense camp, rather than weekly PT. Makes great sense. I’m sure there are terribly frustrating moments, as there are for all new skills at this age, so wishing you strength, both physical and mental.</p>

7

<p>Sherpa, glad you posted. Wondering if you’ve ever tried dance. Exercises the brain and can increase your popularity at parties (smiley face here). Glad you posted. I extensively read up on strokes after I suffered a sub-arachnoid hemorrhage about 10 years ago. Fortunately I had no lasting ill effects, but for some time I watched carefully for any differences in functioning.
Initiating movements (dance) stimulated by music may give you as yet one more mode of access.</p>

8

<p>Lots of strokes in my dad’s family, hit my generation with oldest cousin last summer. (He is a college professor, was off all year, but going back in August…some immediate word recall blips, but otherwise doing well, though he will use more notes and reminders to keep him from getting stuck.) It is very interesting to hear about how the camp is helping you jump start that left side…good for you! Enjoy the swim!</p>

9

<p>Great typing! I hope you’ll keep posting. I’m betting a lot of CC parents will be cheering you on! I know I am:)</p>

10

<p>I’m standing on the sidelines cheering you on! Thanks for posting and for being an inspiration.</p>

11

<p>Sherpa, First of all, congratulations on how well you have been able to live your life so fully since you suffered your stroke - that is a major achievement. Secondly, bravo to you on entering this program, and voluntarily taking on the challenges you are now experiencing. As frustrating as this must be at times, you should be so proud for pushing yourself in the ways that you are, towards the goals that you have. That is so admirable. Every day, I am wishing you the best of luck in facing, and overcoming, these hurdles. Well done!</p>

12

<p>You are making great progress! Would love to hear updates…</p>

13

<p>I’m fascinated too! Thanks for posting this. And yes, please keep us updated on the progress of your left side rehab program. It sounds like things are measurably improving on that front. :slight_smile: Stroke runs in my family and it’s one of my greatest fears. It’s good to know that someone can overcome the deficiencies imposed by a major stroke the way you have, sherpa. If you would, please tell us your stroke story. Had you been diagnosed with high blood pressure prior to your stroke? When the stroke occurred, were you aware that you were having a stroke?</p>

14

<p>I’m a PT and have worked lots with people in the acute stages of stroke recovery, but this program you describe sounds wonderful! I wish this was done more often around the country. Good Luck to you with this program. I’d love to hear more about it and how you are doing!</p>

15

<p>Thanks moderators, for merging the threads.</p>

<p>Typing on iPhone, so cryptic. Thanks for support, I’m happy. On way to camp now, cast off soon. I’ll check in later.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

16

<p>We’re in post lunch naptime now, and I’ve been excused to play on my ipad. The cast is off and it is so liberating. I did great in the pool; freestyle felt normal, butterfly was weak but I was able to do it, backstroke I need to focus on left arm extension, flip turns and racing starts were OK. I see that lap swimming could be perfect rehab therapy for me, because it gives me an opportunity to reconnect the brain and muscles to tasks that are deeply ingrained in both brain and muscle memory. They say that you need 30,000 repetitions to master a task, be it shooting free throws, or whatever. I can probably swim 30,000 strokes in a few months (I’ll do the math later) and I’m thinking it would be realistic to get back to swimming as well as I could in HS. The other patients here are heroes. They are fighting greater obstacles than I have had to, and they are doing with dignity and courage. This whole ordeal, including the right arm immobilization, has taught me a lot of humility and empathy.</p>

<p>I am so lucky. Of course, it was unfortunate to have a stroke. I’m lucky to be alive, lucky to be as functional as I am, lucky for my family, lucky to have the rehab opportunities I have. I could go on and on.</p>

<p>Fellow parents, please do me a favor today. Hug your spouse and your kids, tell them how much you love them, and enjoy and appreciate the good fortune that you have.</p>

<p>And pass me a tissue.</p>

<p>Thanks again for reading.</p>

17

<p>The swimming will also get you in great shape! A win-win.</p>

18

<p>I was going to suggest swimming as a bilateral activity.</p>

<p>Another is cycling.</p>

<p>I am impressed with the idea of immobilizing one limb to force use of the other… </p>

<p>I’ve been rehabbing a knee for three years and what’s really pushed it to full functionality was injuring the “good knee” and being forced to use the “bad knee” to the fullest, so I think that’s a brilliant idea. </p>

<p>Good for you, and keep it up.</p>

19

<p>Great posts, Sherpa. My H has had a couple strokes, at a young age, that did not cause permanent damage. But he lives in fear of that happening. So your story is pertinent and inspiring. Also pertinent because I broke my arm a few days ago and it is completely humbling! I don’t type unless I really want to say something- it’s so frustrating to have to let go of the every-day tasks that most of us take for granted.</p>

20

<p>Way to go! I had a cerebral hemorrhage about 10 yrs ago. It is amazing what therapy can do to bring skills back. You might find this book interesting to read.</p>

<p>My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey
[Amazon.com:</a> My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey (9780670020744): Jill Bolte Taylor: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/My-Stroke-Insight-Scientists-Personal/dp/0670020745]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/My-Stroke-Insight-Scientists-Personal/dp/0670020745)</p>