Saeboglove trial - updates

The Saeboglove trial came to an end three days ago and from my personal experience the signs are encouraging.  The Saeboglove is a way of working on the neuropathways and has certainly made a difference to some of my weaker areas and meant that I could do things for the first time in a long while.

To be honest it wasn't the best period to have undertaken the trial, the day after our instruction on how to fit it we travelled to London to meet our new grandchild. I tried extemely hard to be diligent but on four days I achieved the wearing of the glove and exercise routine only once. On one occasion I had been outside most of the day and got very chilled , insted of trying to get the Saeboglove on I did gentle stretching exercises insted.

I returnd to see the neurophysio at hospital three days ago for a follow up, so we could discuss my progress and whether it was worthwhile to purchase one. "Research" from professionals and clients indicate improvements and once the glove had been removed continue to see the benefits in improved movement patterns. I have reached the decision that I will purchase one and will have the additional benefit of being intermittently monitored by the physio.
Having said that it is important to stress the motivation factor, it was rather tedious performing the same exercises but once the improvement became evident that was the driving force, for me, to want to achieve more. My ultimate goal would be able to drive again.

Over my two weeks trial I have:
1)  Increased the length of time that I can stand on one leg - Right leg increased by 16 seconds and the Left leg by a staggering 2 minutes.
2) My walking has improved and my bad arm, the right, is straight, loose and at times swinging.
3) I can quite easily move objects by grasping and releasing
4) Put my right hand two inches further up my back
5) Raise my right arm further to try and reach out behing the head.
6) Pick up and drink 1/3 cup of water without spillage.

All this has left me very positive about my continued recovery and has prompted my motivation once more. It is hard sometimes to keep focussed, (during the trial it was the 6th anniversary of my stroke), I still look to further my improvement and sometimes amongst all the hard work I create a bit of fun for myself - another target, (not set), was to be able to put my right index finger in my ear!!! Achieved!!!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Whilst out shopping recently I bought this book. A very useful tool to work the hand control.

A test to see if I can stay in the lines!

Saeboflex - "No Plateau in Sight"

Saebo Glove

 

 

 

 

 

   I have been extremely fortunate to have been loaned a SaeboGlove for a controlled two week trial and it is hoped that this will help my right hand to further recover. Saeboglove is a low profile  functional device that will assist with finger and thumb extension. The glove positions the wrist and fingers into extension in readiness for functional activities.
I wear the glove twice a day and over the given period will increase the time worn from 10 minutes initially, to 30 minutes.
I have shown my individual tailored training programe and am currently keeping a record of my achievements whilst I am wearing it and noting any changes afterwards. 
At the end of the trial I will engage in discussions on my progress and look forward to the next stages of my on-going recovery.
As I write this I note that it is 6years ago, this very day, since I had my stroke but am still optimistic that I will make a full andd complete recovery.

Action on Stroke month: May 2015

May 2015 is "Action on Stroke" month.

 Making May Purple for Stroke.

Bake purple  cakes, wear purple clothes plant purple

flowers:

 What better way to Make May Purple for Stroke that by baking a purple cupcake or two? Whether it's a healthy smoothie or an indulgent dessert, there's  a recipe for everyone. Dust off the apron and the wooden spoons, and get baking!

 

Plant it purple

Get involved this Action on Stroke Month by planting it purple. Whether you're a green-fingered guru or a novice gardener, it's a great way to help us Make May Purple for Stroke!

• Plant purple flowers - Lilac, Alliums, Lavender, Pansies, Love-in the-Mist, Peonies, Iris, Primula and late flowering Tulips are all in bloom during May
• Grow it purple - Grow purple fruit and vegetables suchn as blackberries, plums, aubergine, red cabbage, beetroot, purple spouting broccoli and red onions.
•  
  A beautiful splash of colour can make all the difference to a garden, so let’s get our gloves on and plant it purple for the Stroke Association.”
  If you have green fingers and are celebrating Action on Stroke Month with some purple blooms, remember to share your photos with us on Twitter - don't forget the hashtag #MakeMayPurple. 
  
  
  

Wear it purple

How purple can you go? Hats, wigs, ties, coats and sunglasses - put on something purple or wear as much as you dare! We're Making May Purple for Stroke this May and we'd love you to join in. So pile on the purple,

 To find out more:
http://www.stroke.org.uk/strokemonth

Sip for Stroke 2015

Sip for Stroke

Throughout spring, the Stroke Association  are encouraging people to organise a Sip for Stroke event and help stroke survivors and their families.

Sip for Stroke is a great excuse to meet up over tea or coffee and cake and an easy way to help raise money for those affected by stroke.
What better excuse to catch up with people over a cuppa and a piece of cake whilst doing your bit for charity this year.
You could Sip for Stroke anywhere, at work, home, school, village hall or even a local community centre that you are part of.
It's simple, quick, and a great way to do your bit for those affected by stroke whilst having fun and catching up with people.
If you cannot organise your own event, why not ask if your local coffee shop wants to get involved and donate a small amount for every drink or cake they sell on a particular day or week?

Registering couldn't be easier:   http://www.stroke.org.uk/fundraise/sipforstroke

I am hosting one of these events at my local Cricket Club on Saturday April 4th. 10.00am - 12.30pm

BBC Radio 4: The Life in My Head

On Monday March 2nd at 11.00am.  BBC Radio 4 
 
 "The Life in my Head: From Stroke to Brain Attack"

Robert McCrum journies into his own brain to understand more about Stroke. Robert suffered a severe Stroke in 1995 and ever since has been living with its consequences.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0540b3p

"Well on the way"

"Well on the way" - this was the phrase that was recently used by a friend about my recovery.
I would have to agree with this, although I do have some issues which aren't readily visible.

In July this year, it will be six years since I had my Stroke, however I still consider myself  "work in progress". I know that I have come a long way since the evening of July 9th 2009 - but there is still more to do. My right hand, fingers and arm have still not come back to full use and exercising keeps on telling them that they have a purpose.
My father died eight months after I had my stroke and each time he saw me he asked: "how's the arm, will it recover?" I made a promise to him that it would and so I keep on working.

I still wear my resting splint overnight and have just recently had another one moulded for me. This keeps my fingers straight and also comfortable. I wear my foot up splint and knee brace when I am out walking - be that around town, shopping,days out etc and I always take them on my holidays - if I didn't I wouldn't be able to do all the walking that I can achieve.
I used to get "hung up" at what people would think, but now I just go out without any second thoughts. I have covered my foot up splint with lace, but I can easily change the way it looks by using a scarf or different fabrics. It doesn't matter what people see, as they only see you for a fleeting moment, whereas I have to do what is right for me or live with the consequences.

I do not get as tired as I used to do, but can still occasionally be in bed by 8.30/9.00pm. People are very understanding if I make arrangements and then cancel at short notice.
There are times after a night out or, if we have done a lot of travelling, that I am so tired that I have to helped upstairs and undressed for bed. Also on the odd occasion when I have a bath I may have to be assisted both gtting into and out of it!
My concentration can sometimes be lacking and I can still find myself searching for the correct words. My husband and I smile at this as it reminds us of my mother who sometimes got words mixed up.    I can and do sometimes get stressed in crowds or have to meet people for the first time.
Sometimes all you see is not actually how things are - - - 
                                              -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

As I have previously stated exercising for me has been one of the keys to recovery- benefits of exercise include:
Controlling cholesterol levels, fighting high blood pressure and controlling any potential weight gains. I put on over two stones post stroke and could see my dress size increasing. At this point I joined a group and have successfully lost this weight and have remained in target for thirteen months.

A stroke can leave you with no physical disability or affects your ability to move. After the physiotherapy ceased I made myself a temporary exercise plan which I tried to carry out daily - not always a possibility due to fatigue. Over time I have built up my stamina levels and aimed to walk further distances and after a break from chairobics I am about to restart classes. Even a walking stick can be used as part of an exercise plan.

The Stroke Association has produced a booklet about Exercise and Stroke:
http://www.stroke.org.uk/sites/default/files/R07%20Exercise%20and%20stroke.pdf

Annual Cricket Club trip

We have just returned from Gdansk, Poland which was this year's place for our annual Cricket Club trip.


Five days before the trip I had treatment to re-align my body, several areas were worked on and this left me quite tired and sore in places - my neck being the main problem area. So, it was rest, rest, rest and early nights. It took me two and a half days to begin to feel the benefit and then it was time to consider packing and getting everything organised.
The day before the trip the local weather was beautiful and my husband and I ended up going for a riverside walk where we live! I would hazard a guess that I was subconsciously stressed at what seemed the lateness of everything - although there were two half days remaining to accomplish everything that was required.
I just laid out my clothes and let it all happen around me. Even though we have been abroad several times post Stroke, I always find the packing and arrangements stressful, leaving my husband to take charge whilst I just make endless lists. Before my Stroke I was a well organised person, prioritising my work and I find it really hard not to be taking full control over matters.
The trip, as usual, worked like clockwork and without any glitches. The first and last full days we had free time to explore on our own and on the middle two there were organised full day trips.

Targ Rybny incl the medieval crane.

Statue of Neptune

Dlugi Targ by night

 The hotel fronted Dlugi Targ, the main thoroughfare. Gdansk is a cosmopolitan city and on two occasions has been a State in its own right. It is the main tourist attraction in the region due to its rich history and wonderfully rebuilt old town. Two key moments of 20th century history took took place in Gdansk: the first shots of WW11 were fired here and forty years later the cracks in the Iron Curtain were forced open by the Solidarity movement.
The first of our day trips took in the adjoining Baltic cities of Sopot and Gdynia. Sopot is a seaside spa town with the longest wooden pier in Europe and Gydinia is a city born out of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 and is Poland's main harbour and seaport.
The following day we visited Malbork Castle which is UNESCO protected. it came to prominence in 1309 when the Teutonic Knights made it their military and political headquarters. Malbork is the largest brick built castle in the world. Here we had an English speaking guide - our tour took two and a half hours - and that was without any break! Indeed a huge site.

Grand Hotel, Sopot

Architecture, Sopot style.

Gdynia

Sopot pier

 

Malbork Castle

I managed to cope with several sets of staircases - even the very last one which was very steep, narrow and winding. People walked behind me in case "I needed a push" and the people in front helped when I reached the top!  My fellow travellers are brilliant and the ones whom I don't see from year to year really  noticed a change in me this year. We went out for dinner each evening and on our return to the hotel I managed to stay around for an hour or twos companionship with the group. The first year that I have achieved this.
On our last day I walked to the Gdansk shipyard to see the memorial to the shipyard workers and the European Solidarity Centre. A trip down memory lane for many visitors.

Since our return home I have been reasonably active and even managed two short walks down by the river. I am tired, but not like I used to be, and I do have a sore back, neck and knees. No doubt this will result in some form of treatment, but these days I still remain positive in my outlook. It has been, and still is, a lengthy road to recovery.
On the occasions when I awake during the night, I can still hear the voice of the Physio who looked after me so well at hospital! I lie still on my back and do exercises - pulling up my right arm so the shoulder touches my ear lobe and then straighten it to make it long.

                                                     Exercising is the key to recovery.