I have been inspired to blog my journey into recovery from a stroke. Perhaps this will be of some help to someone. it is a good idea for each personto keep a record of all minute detail in the recovery so as to measure progess.

A little over two weeks ago, I woke up unable to use my right side very well. My speech was slurred and I was unable to stand. I immediately knew and we called 911. I must have panicked with this thought that I had lost my independence as I passed out. I was taken to St Joe's and was released with no meds after three days. The next morning I felt things were deteriorating and asked friends to drive us to Johns Hopkins where I would receive top-notch care. A total of 6 neurologists received me. I was put on meds and watched for three days. I began to walk with my Cadillac of a walker, pushing the limits so as to avoid being injected with the notorious heperin shot in the belly. It was most challenging and tiring. Did you know that the brain used up some 40% of your energy?

As soon as I had returned home, it became evident that I would have a serious reaction to all of these meds: plavix, lipitor, lisinopril, aspirin, and prozac. I was up all night with the runs. It isn't fun to run when you have no balance. Prozac has demonstrated a speedier healing of the brain. I would have to do it on my own. Then there was this massive dizziness. We cut the Lipitor in half without sufficient results.Next, my blood pressure dropped too low.  We cut the lisinoril in 1/2. The pressure came up. This spaciness, lack of focus,or dizziness, seems to start a few minutes after taking the lisinopril and tapers off in the late afternoon. Of course one of the side effects of all the meds is dizziness. We are still working on regulating them. In the meanwhile, I push through all the exercises and activities.

I bruise very easily now. Hopefully, I can get rid of the plavix in a couple more weeks.

I have regained a lot of stability. Taking showers is much easier. I can even walk faster. By the way, I graduated from a walker to a cane in a few days, and to no cane the next day. I am to use a cane on my daily walks outside, just in case.

I stupidly thought I could sit on the porch step while I was on the landing. I squatted down, as I could do that, but did not figure that putting my right leg folded under me to sit would create a dead weight. I landed on my R hand ( only from a few inches high) and felt a sharp pain in my little finder.  I must have fractured it. Ouch! The pain only occurred when I tried to bend it; so I didn't. In three days the pain was completely gone. I still have a bit of swelling and redness. This is the result of fuzziness in the brain due to meds!

Now how did this stroke come about, you may ask. For years, I have been working on controlling my blood pressure through diet and supplements. On the whole I was successful. Those of you who know me well know what a health nut I am. I've grown my own veggies for over 40 years- all organic. I only buy grass fed meats, and little. We eat salmon from Scotland organically raised.I take tons of supplements. I avoid dairy,except for goat products. BUT, I have not been able to manage the tons of stress that have come my way. That cortisol is a killer.

I began to have daily migraines, as well as ocular migraines. I saw a multitude of neurologists who prescribed meds that made me sick. Then I met a famous doctor who could cure migraines through diet. He was associated with Hopkins, so I tried. We eliminated many foods and supplements. It did the trick .No more headaches! The problem was that my blood pressure rose silently and my blood thickened until bam, I had a stroke in my sleep.

Now I am headache free since I blew a gasket and I am eating those forbidden foods. I have reintroduced those supplements that are safe with my meds. You would think that someone would have suspected the migraines were a precursor.

Now on a good note, I am getting stronger and have more stamina each day. Until today, I have religiously done the exercizes prescribed to me. Now I will substitute some for more meaningful tasks such a working outside a little in the flower beds, or cleaning in the house. And I plan to reintroduce dancing within a week. We will start with American rythm in tennis shoes at the very basic level.

All in all, I am doing vey well thanks to my friends and family and the many of you in facbook land. Thank you, all.

Typing this blog became easier as I wrote along!