My friend John suffered an ischemic stroke 4 years
ago that changed his life tremendously. The doctors told him it was a
possibility he would not survive because the stroke was so severe and because
of multiple hemorrhages in his brain. He was monitored over night and pulled
through. The doctors were amazed; they said no one with a stroke of that
magnitude doesn’t survive. Today after the stroke he is left with mental issues
that will not allow him to make rational decisions. He does not understand how
significant the stroke changed his way of thinking. He tries but don’t realize
or understand his decisions are not normal. He becomes angry and aggressive
because of frustration when he realizes his decisions made his situation worse
than before. He will never be the same person unless by chance he gets another
miracle which one day can happen.
Lula,
ReplyDeleteI am heartbroken for your friend John, having a stroke can be so devastating to the patient and the family members. When the person that has had the stroke begins to recover, I can only imagine what goes through their minds when they have to realize things are not the way as they were before the stroke. A person’ that has suffered a stroke knows it is really hard trying to get your life back to what you considered normal is even harder. Prayerfully for John one day things will get better. Life can change for any of us in a blink of an eye; God still performs miracles every day.
Lula,
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that your friend had to experience that situation. It is a result of divine intervention in regards to his amazing recovery. Living with certain mental illnesses caused by outside complications such as a stroke can be very hard to deal with. Especially if certain parts of your decision making skills are affected. In addition, learning how to deal with the reactions of family and friends when they see and experience how much you've changed can be the most difficult step to endure. I would hope John gets better in the long run given that he receives the proper therapy needed for his safe and effective recovery.
Wow, I had no idea that a stroke can affect the way someone thinks and acts. I was always under the impression that strokes are simply physically debilitating - not emotionally and socially as well. Obviously I don't know anyone personally who's suffered one but I've heard of people losing physical sensation and the ability to walk or talk. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Lula. I can't even imagine how difficult everything must be for him, friends, and family. He's probably a completely different person and it takes time adjusting and understanding his mental capacity.
ReplyDeleteDear Lula, thank you for sharing your story about your friend's experience with mental illness following his stroke. I work in the healthcare industry and I see first hand how people who suffer with neurological damage can lead to increased agitation and ability to think rationally. Unfortunately, brain cells can not be replaced or repaired once damaged. Your brain can be retrained, but it many circumstances the cognitive deficits are much to severe to overcome. The first step is recognizing the problem and learning compensatory strategies to help them deal with their thought processes. Speech therapy and Occupational therapy can help retrain the brain in many circumstances with good support and carryover. I hope your friend can learn to deal with his issues and overcome his mental illness. Amy Haverkamp
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