Stroke Recovery Takes Time, But It Does Happen
I was a happy and successful husband, father and businessman at the top of my game
, living the American dream, then 6 years ago I had a stroke and it changed everything. Suddenly my happy world came to an abrupt end. I don't want to fill you with false hope for a rapid recovery, because it can take a lot of time, but the good news is recovery does happen. I am living proof.
Trust me, I know what you are worried about. Six years ago my business was very successful. I was in between two speeches, one in Las Vegas to keynote a convention and the next in Seattle to moderate a panel with the CEO of AT&T Wireless. During that week in between I packed up the van and took my happy family to the beach like we have done every year for as long as I can remember.
We stopped in Macon Georgia to get a cup of coffee at Starbucks because I was tired. When I walked in with the kids I ordered a bacon double cheeseburger. First of all I have never ordered that before, and second of all everyone knows you can't find one at Starbucks. The kids laughed. They thought I was joking.
We got back in the car to finish the trip and I looked very tired. My wife suggested she drive for a while and let me take a nap. I thought it was a good idea. I got out to change seats and didn't put the car in park. It rolled and my wife stopped it. I got in the passenger seat and fell asleep.
That ride to the beach was when it happened. Just before and during my 4-hour nap. There was no pain. Only sleepiness. No signs to tell my wife to get me to a hospital ASAP. Nothing. It happened quietly. When we arrived it was too late. The damage was done. My mind was fried.
If you suspect a stroke get to the hospital immediately, during the first 3 or 4 hours, the sooner the better. If it is not a stroke you lose nothing. If it is a stroke it is the most important thing you can think of.
A stroke is funny. The damage is different for everyone. It depends on the spot in the brain that died. Some people have a minor stroke, and some have a major one. To the person having one, they are all miserable. I was fine doing some things, but a real dolt doing others. I could drive, but I could not have a conversation for more than a moment.
The first 6 months were actually kind of nice. Nothing mattered. Very sleepy, taking naps several times a day, but happy. Naps are the way your brain heals itself so nap all you need to for the first few years. You'll know you are getting better when you need less sleep. It happens as you recover. Life was slow and nice. I had a problem, but did not realize it yet.
Then the recovery started. As my brain started to heal I began to realize what I had lost and it was very frustrating. Not all at once. However as the months passed and as I realized more and more of how different I now was it was depressing.
Over the next several years it was both frustrating and depressing, and happy and exhilarating. Every time I tried to do something that I no longer could it was agonizing, but every time I had another wave of recovery it was terrific. Fortunately I had wave after wave of recovery separated by months. It helped to focus on the positive even though I was surrounded by negative.
Today, six years later I feel great. If I had known that I would recover, then I would have sat back and enjoyed the vacation. Of course if I did that then I would not have worked so hard to get my mind back and perhaps I would still be a mess.
I will never know. Neither will you. So you have to work hard every day and have faith that you will recover. Recovery may not be 100%. Whatever it is, it is recovery. Better than you are today. Isn't that worth fighting for? You bet it is.
Early in my adventure I read books, articles, and went to speeches from stroke survivors. I got inspired and learned all that I could. People who have strokes don't know anything about having a stroke. However now you have lots of time to learn.
So while I am sorry you had a stroke, as I was sorry about mine, I have learned the secret to recovery is work hard and never give up. Enjoy the early time when you are detached from the stresses of the world. Thank goodness for your family and friends. Have them read and talk with stroke experts to understand what you are going through. Doctors are great, but they treat the symptoms, they don't educate you. And both you and your caregivers need education.
Today I have recovered. I am back to work building my business once again, traveling, giving speeches and interviews with the media writing reports and having a ball. It will take me a while to get back to where I was before, but I am enjoying every day.
The road won't be easy and in most cases won't be short. It may take several years and you may or may not fully recover. However whatever you can recover is worth it. Trust me. Have faith in yourself. Work hard and keep a positive mindset and you will get there.
by: Jeff Kagan
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