Can you have too much of a good thing? Indeed, I do have a lot to be grateful for. These past few days have been filled with joy, love & celebration including anniversaries, birthdays and the achievement of personal goals for family members.
To be able to be a part of these is blessing enough so I am disappointed with myself, this morning, in experiencing physical exhaustion to match no other! I never realised how much energy is required simply live life!
These past weeks, my physical well-being has been in the capable of hands of a team of professionals who all bring to the table expertise and experience from various disciplines. However, I am in the precarious position of directing this team as they are all working independently of each other.
It was a strange situation where, having been discharged from hospital just 3 days after the stroke, I found myself lost and alone, as if floating in a vast ocean after a shipwreck, looking desperately for something to hold on to.
I initially sought out the help of my GP and then explored many other avenues open to me that were signposted but not immediately accessible. I relied upon my instinct to survive as well as my common-sense to direct me towards these beacons of hope.
But surely, this should not have been so hard to do! Had I been worse-affected by the stroke, I would have found this so much harder to do. The system would have failed me and this is of concern to me for the sake of my fellow travellers.
My initial instinct is to advise you to be selfish, even greedy in seeking help. There is much available out there but it lacks coordination and communication. Resources are always over-stretched on the NHS but there is no reason why they cannot be directed your way. You must ASK.
My discharge summary from hospital had made mention of a post-stroke rehabilitation service in the local community but upon returning home I found this to be almost invisible. When I flagged this up with my GP he set the wheels in motion and I was contacted by an occupational health therapist who has turned out to be another guardian angel for me. Each of her visits to me consisted of an hour long one-to-one talk during which time I felt safe and protected because Miriam had taken charge of my well-being. It was due to her that I acknowledged for the first time the limits of my disabilities and my needs because until now, I had been trying to play them down and manage as best I could. She arranged the installation of a shower seat for bathing and a perch stool in the kitchen whilst cooking and she identified and insisted on the removal fall hazards around my home. To be absolutely honest, I was touched by her firm but gentle support and felt cared for in a way that only a mother cares for you. Sadly, I had stopped looking to my own dear mother for this many years ago, as one does when one 'grows up' and shoulders the responsibilities of adulthood. I am fortunate that her unconditional love and affection is still there for me.
In addition to addressing my daily practical difficulties, Miriam also arranged for some physiotherapy & dietetic support as I am still not eating properly.
So my friends, I now attend weekly, hydrotherapy, gym and physiotherapy sessions and will soon be seeing a dietition. This in addition to my self-styled rehabilitation programme of lace-making, music therapy, painting etc.
It's a busy life and I often miss the solitude and peace of my early mornings to write this blog as I am tending to lie-in more often than not.
But this morning is an exception and I wish you a good day ahead.
To be able to be a part of these is blessing enough so I am disappointed with myself, this morning, in experiencing physical exhaustion to match no other! I never realised how much energy is required simply live life!
These past weeks, my physical well-being has been in the capable of hands of a team of professionals who all bring to the table expertise and experience from various disciplines. However, I am in the precarious position of directing this team as they are all working independently of each other.
It was a strange situation where, having been discharged from hospital just 3 days after the stroke, I found myself lost and alone, as if floating in a vast ocean after a shipwreck, looking desperately for something to hold on to.
I initially sought out the help of my GP and then explored many other avenues open to me that were signposted but not immediately accessible. I relied upon my instinct to survive as well as my common-sense to direct me towards these beacons of hope.
But surely, this should not have been so hard to do! Had I been worse-affected by the stroke, I would have found this so much harder to do. The system would have failed me and this is of concern to me for the sake of my fellow travellers.
My initial instinct is to advise you to be selfish, even greedy in seeking help. There is much available out there but it lacks coordination and communication. Resources are always over-stretched on the NHS but there is no reason why they cannot be directed your way. You must ASK.
My discharge summary from hospital had made mention of a post-stroke rehabilitation service in the local community but upon returning home I found this to be almost invisible. When I flagged this up with my GP he set the wheels in motion and I was contacted by an occupational health therapist who has turned out to be another guardian angel for me. Each of her visits to me consisted of an hour long one-to-one talk during which time I felt safe and protected because Miriam had taken charge of my well-being. It was due to her that I acknowledged for the first time the limits of my disabilities and my needs because until now, I had been trying to play them down and manage as best I could. She arranged the installation of a shower seat for bathing and a perch stool in the kitchen whilst cooking and she identified and insisted on the removal fall hazards around my home. To be absolutely honest, I was touched by her firm but gentle support and felt cared for in a way that only a mother cares for you. Sadly, I had stopped looking to my own dear mother for this many years ago, as one does when one 'grows up' and shoulders the responsibilities of adulthood. I am fortunate that her unconditional love and affection is still there for me.
In addition to addressing my daily practical difficulties, Miriam also arranged for some physiotherapy & dietetic support as I am still not eating properly.
So my friends, I now attend weekly, hydrotherapy, gym and physiotherapy sessions and will soon be seeing a dietition. This in addition to my self-styled rehabilitation programme of lace-making, music therapy, painting etc.
It's a busy life and I often miss the solitude and peace of my early mornings to write this blog as I am tending to lie-in more often than not.
But this morning is an exception and I wish you a good day ahead.
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