Saebo Glove updates & Exercises

21st December 2015

I have now had two further appointments with the Neurological Physio - to assess my progress in demonstrating what I can now achieve, discuss long term goals and to set new interim targets.
I find these sessions really beneficial and take on board the information and tasks which I am assigned.

The middle band has been removed on the index finger and I have noticed that the band on the middle finger has become slack and before too long will require a shorter length to make the finger work harder. The long term goal is that eventually bands will not be required.

I now walk with a long straight arm and can grasp a soft ball and put it in a cup. The unit comes with four small shapes to test manual dexterity - I was thrilled to be able to grab each one in turn and place it on top of the other.(Photo taken from web-site) One useless task that I can do quite easily is to put my index finger in my right ear!! Useless, I know, but there has to be a fun element. Cleaning my teeth has also become easier as I now no longer have to virtually keep my arm still and move my head, but can do this in the usual manner. I can put shampoo on my right hand but do still require the aid of my left and to lift it to my head. All in all things are going in the right direction, but it is now a case of building on these things and keep testing out things that I always took for granted. General light housework I have been doing for some time, but we've invested in a lightweight vacuum cleaner which enables me to do more chores and has the feeling of achievement as I can push it with the hand that was affected.

As each target is achieved and can be done "second nature" new ones are worked on. If aids or equipment is not readily available in the house I try and improvise with the materials that are around me.

ULTIMATE GOALS: Ideally I would like to be able to use both hands to:

Eat, Wash/Shower, Drink and Use Hair Drier (these are subject to change)

Exercises set at 2nd visit:

   Raise arms and counter balance but keep arm straight

   Pick up ball

   Move and lift both arms to side and then open fingers (splay) - - keeping elbow straight

   Drink from cup

   Hand flip

BEFORE EXERCISES: KEEP TAIL BONE IN AND PULL IN CORE as in PILATES

Exercises set at 3rd visit:

To loosen the arm before exercising - put the right hand  on the top of the bathroom tower radiator and do a knee bob.

Make the hand lead - even if it means flexing wrist upwards and then giving the appearance of pushing off..

I have tried to eat by "stabbing" food with a fork, not always successfully - so I am now trying to "stab" bubble wrap or plasticine/Play Doh doing this up to 30 times a day until I get confident, then I will try a plate of food!

I next have an appointment at the end of January, it will soon be Christmas and the New Year and on top of this family time there are a lot of extra events taking place. I have been advised not to "get hung up" about being 100% diligent. I have previously  noticed that if I don't or cannot succeed due to tiredness or too many commitments my hand is still affected and will not cooperate! 

1st Saebo Glove fitting

 

On the 12th November I had the first fitting of my newly purchased Saebo Glove with the Neurological Physio at my local hospital. It is very important to learn how to ensure that it is fitted correctly, otherwise it may be pressing/resting on incorrect joints which could do harm.
Once confident with this, I was taken through a series of controlled exercises that must be undertaken once a day. As I progress updated exercises will be given, but always under the expertise of professionals.

I have found it useful to take initial photographs so that I can see where to place the tension bands. As the tone improves the bands will need to be changed.

Updates on progress will be published.

Prioritising Household Jobs

As you will know, if you have been reading this blog, I do intermittently suffer with neck problems.

Just recently I have had another two sessions with my practitioner and it would appear that I had a trapped nerve in my neck. I had one treatment and then monitored my progress for any ill-effects for three days and then after a telephone discussion returned for a second treatment. Again I monitored my progress and thankfully, all came good.  

Once I had got completely over my neck problems I re-started a second Saeboglove trial: http://www.saebo.com/saeboglove/
Once again has increased my hand functionality to the extent that I am considering purchasing one. I am hopeful that in time, with continued use of this product, that I will regain more meaningful use of my right hand which was affected when I had the stroke some six years go.

When I went to have the glove fitted I had a discussion with my Neuro-physio about my neck problems and I was given the advice to start prioritising household jobs.

The idea is to grade all the chores into two categories:
A-C (or D)  for how they affect the body
1-3 (or 4) to grade their priority
This will enable me to work out which I can do easily and without any ill-effects to the ones which will affect the  neck, which seems to be my weakspot.

For example:
Washing the dishes - A1
Ironing - B2
Vacuum - A2
Clean windows - C3
Dusting and polishing B1
Clean Bathroom - A1 & 2
Making a simple meal incl peeling vegetables - A1

I have found this advice to be really useful and makes me think about the household jobs - all of which I would like to do, but I know that some household chores will affect my neck.

Whilst preparing food, I will either use this special piece of equipment or hold the vegetables in my right hand and peel with my left if I can.

It is called a butter board/kitchen workstation and can be purhased from retail outlets that specialise in eqipment for the disabled or on-line.

Sleep & Stroke

When I returned home after spending six weeks in hospital the challenges at that time were huge. Initially, I was scared to sleep incase something occured which presented all manner of other problems. These days I try to be active and lead as normal a life as possible during the day and if I need to go to bed early then I do.

 My sleep is very cyclical: I can have unbroken and long periods of sleep for a few weeks and then it can be disturbed sleep where I will wake during the night and not be able to get back to sleep. I do not let this worry me but just accept it as another consequence of my Stroke. I have found an article called: "Tired of Post-stroke Fatigue" by Lisa O'Neill Hill, of which the following are extracts:

As a stroke survivor, you may be struggling with fatigue. That’s not surprising. Strokes are physically and emotionally exhausting. Most stroke survivors grapple with some sort of fatigue and many have trouble sleeping.

 If you’re a stroke survivor and you never feel rested, consider these recommendations:

Wake up at the same time every morning.

Go to bed only when you are ready to fall asleep. Bed time isn’t as important as the time you wake up. Don’t go to bed until you feel really ready.

Don’t worry about the number of hours of sleep you’re getting. There’s no right amount of sleep in terms of a number. In general, sleeping seven to nine hours is a really healthy duration,some people need more and some need less. The key is whether you feel refreshed.

Avoid sleeping on your back. Sleeping on the side can make a huge difference. Sleeping on the back may not be right for everyone. Ask your doctor if it’s OK for you.

Consider pillows. They are not just for your head. Using a body pillow can be helpful and keeping a pillow behind your back may help you stay on your side.

Get exposure to light in the morning. “It could be a natural source—sunlight—or a light box. Morning light will reset your time clock in the brain.

Sleep is really important in restoring function back.

Give a Hand: October 2015

Are you a wannabe tennis pro or a budding artist? Can you bake a ‘showstopper’?

 Whatever your forté this October put your passion into action for stroke survivors around the UK.

A stroke strikes in an instant but its effects can last a lifetime. Three quarters of stroke survivors lose the use of one of their hands. Often they have to re-learn to do the things they’ve always done – using their other hand. 

For Give a Hand the Stroke Association wants you to undertake an activity to raise funds for stroke survivors, such as baking or gardening - but there’s a twist, you need to use your non-dominant hand!

Get Baking -  Bake up a storm with your other hand - bake and decorate something for Halloween

Get Gardening - Take on a challenge to carve out some terrifying Halloween pumpkins,. 

Get Creative -  Are you a dab hand at knitting? Can you paint a Picasso? Get creating 




 Get Playing - Fun and games for all the family indoors and outside, using your other hand

 I am still working hard to get my right hand and arm back to normality. It is a long and protracted recovery, sometimes you don't want to carry out the daily exercises - but it is the only way to fullly recover. Why don't you try and do a daily chore that we all take for granted - - but remember to use your other hand - - your non-dominant one.

Give a Hand from 26 October until 1 November
 https://www.stroke.org.uk/GAH 

 At a recent night out I chose to wear these fingerless gloves which assist in keeping the nerves warm and lessen the probability of the hand clenching. I have several pairs of these type of gloves and found them to be not only practical but they can also enhance a look. During the colder weather I also wear them inside the house.

 

"Think before you speak" . . .

I still walk with a limp or "rock and roll" after six years and always use my stick. An acquaintance called me Jake for about three years. I mostly took it in good humour until I snapped one day. It occured to me, that if it had been a really vulnerable person who had been spoken to in this manner that it could have had a really detrimental effect on them.

In the past someone has suggested that if they had a walking stick that they may be able to walk faster, but the most insensitive thing that has ever occured was when another acquaintance kicked my walking stick away saying that "he'd always wanted to do that to someone"

I am lucky that I know how to deal with these kind of situations, but I hope that people would really think how it could affect the more vulnerable.

So:

Hands, neck and head - degrees of discomfort

It  is now 4 weeks since our mini break and 6 weeks since the Saeboglove trial.

During the third week in July my husand & I had a two nights break in Cheshire where we visited a National Trust property: Dunham Massey and the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey/

Tatton Park, we knew to be a very big park which has two lakes, and we were advised that the flower show is spread over a large area of parkland. With this in mind we took my wheelchair to enable me to get around more easily. (I must stress that I do not use this very often but had to concede that "it was needs must". ) I did find this uncomfortable as it did shake me up and afterwards my neck really began to be painful.

Over the last three weeks I have experienced a very painful neck and shoulder, a "swimmy" head and have noticed that the fingers on my right hand have started to be very tight and curl under. I have found it difficult to be in situations where there are a few people, walking any distances, reading, doing anything on the computer for more than 30 minutes and speaking with people on the telephone.

These areas of discomfort may or may not be related and I have thought about what I can do to allieviate these problems or what may be causing them. It can be difficult at times to separate the issues from one another.
I have had some acupuncture treatment which enabled me to sleep much better however the stamina and heavy legs were just the same - maybe my body is just telling me to rest.

With no sign of these symptoms ceasing I visited my practitioner 4 days ago. After a lengthy discussion I had the treatment to relax very tight neck muscles and put my body back in alignment again. Within minutes the pain that I had been experiencing in my neck and the "swimmy head" all but disappeared and I walked out 35 minutes later feeling a great deal better than I had done over the last weeks. - - Now I need to increase my walking distances and gradually build myself up to the level where I was previously.

I can have meaningful and rational discussions with the people who still work with me and we see various angles of the intermittent problems that I do experience. I do find this very cathartic and useful to stop some of my anxieties.
Last week's pre-treatment dialogue brought me around to giving these points consideration:

1) Try drinking decaffeinated drinks
2) The neck problems and other sore areas in my back were the likely result of using the wheelchair
3) Reading will stimulate the brain and could cause the swimmy headaches - as will over use of the computer
4) The fingers may be as a result of exercising for the 2 weeks period whilst wearing the glove and now I have stopped it may have caused the fingers to tighten.
5) Exercising whilst using the glove will have stimulated muscles and tendons that could have been fairly dormant and will now have stimulated brain activity, causing the swimmy heads.

I just still accept that I will have these little blips but talking and discussing issues are always still a very useful aid to recovery. Knowing what the body is attempting to put right and how it choses to do so is still astonishing to me. I can only thank all the people who are helping me along the way not only in the physical treatment but also with good dialogue.

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.

Summer and Autumn 2014 . . busy, busy.

Looking at my blog I was surprised that I haven't written anything about my personal journey for nine months or so.  Time really passed me by last year as there was such a lot going on, both within the family and also the town where I live.

My adopted home town is a very vibrant place with a real community spirit and businesses and residents totally got in the spirit of the Tour de France Grand Depart which passed through on Sunday July 6th.  Before that momentous occasion came The Great Bed Race, on the second Saturday in June, - a permanent fixture on the town's calendar.
The bed race takes months of planning and the town can experience 20,000 visitors on the day.

The town becomes decorated ready for TdF.

 The Race has a theme and the beds are accordingly dressed for the parade and then stripped down for the actual race.
 

 

Decorated for the parade.

 I assist as a  volunteer on Bed Race day - now in the information tent which is situated in the Market Square. The day is very lively and good spirited and I do enjoy the interaction with the public. However, it can be a seven or eight hour shift which can be very tiring. The following day calls for a big relax.
The Tour de France, Grand Depart weekend was very busy: pop up cafes and seating in the market square and also seating at the castle top with the chance to watch the race on a  big screen tv was something special to be a part of.
 The race itself was "over in a flash" as the peloton whizzed through town, however, residents and tourists stayed and had picnics and there was a general good "feel good factor" in town.

It was only to be expected that family and friends would want to come and stay for the weekend and we managed to accommodate an extra six people! It was really enjoyable to catch up with them, but it did take its toll and I needed a few days to recover.
Anyone looking at me would not know that I had a major Ischaemic Stroke, (blockage in an artery leading to the brain), July 2009, the only sign is my right arm and hand which have not yet made full recovery and also I walk with the aid of a stick. So, I'm not sure that some people would  necessarily understand how tiredness can affect me still. My body just shuts down and it can mean that I have to be assisted upstairs to bed and undressed. My hand and fingers can become taut and painful and my neck sore. When I get like this, I just have to accept that this is the way things are, and as frustrating as it is, rest and do nothing.
A few week after all this activity came another major festival in town - one of entertainment and visual arts. I have a great passion for this festival and  miss being part of the arts scene, (AmDram was my passion pre-stroke).  I try to go to as many events as I can and support all the volunteers who put on this wonderful festival.  My sister comes to stay for a few  nights and we pick and chose our events beforehand - she is the artist of the family. Once again, this time over a ten day period, I am out several times and once it is all over I am in need of much needed rest. It is also about this time that I have two sessions of acupuncture quite close together. I find this treatment works really well and improves my stamina or relaxes me depending on what I require and request on the day.  I have been having acupuncture for about three and a half or four years - post stroke. I find it to be really beneficial and would recommend anyone to try it. It is a personal choice and will not be appropriate  for everyone.
There is another festival in town - an innovative poetry and performance festival. Acts perform on the street and in various venues around town, this year will be its third year, and is gaining notoriety. Yes! I also try and attend some events but with friends who are like-minded.

It was in late summer/early autumn that family matters took over. My father-in-law decided that he wanted to live permanently in a different care home, one which specifically catered for the needs of disabled and amputees and my mother-in-law fell and broke her femur. Both were 97 and it all seemed quite sad that after 73 years of marriage that they would be further apart.
This resulted in my husband and I travelling more frequently to see them and this was made more difficult as they were now about thirty five miles from each other: a similar journey to what we have been accustomed to see my mother in law, but now a round journey of 196 miles to see my father in law. I had to cease driving after my stroke and have found this extremely frustrating - especially as I have to be so reliant on my husband or friends. Now the pressure was building on my husband who had to carry out all the driving and experience the added emotional impact. We travelled as often as we could to see my husband's father, but on occasions stayed overnight in a guest house. Travelling
great distances in a day is not agreeable for me as I can get painful and tender joints, back and knees.
Sadly, my father-in-law died in between Christmas and New Year and in a strange way I miss the journeys and meeting fellow residents.

At the end of October we visited London to see the poppies in the moat at the Tower of London. 888,246 ceramic poppies, each one representing a British & Colonial fatality of W.W.1. A humbling, awe-inspiring work of art.

We are very fortunate in that our eldest son lives in North London and so we always have a place to stay. Another memorable trip, but very tiring and again I required rest and treatment on my return.
Earlier in the year we visited the Chelsea Flower Show which is held annually at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a very busy place to be! At times I found the crowds to be overwhelming and this made my head feel very "whizzy". I have learnt that by drinking a  bottle of water when this occurs to be beneficial. A strange feeling, but a quick fix remedy.

A busy few months, with a holiday touring Belgium and Luxembourg in-between the Bed Race and Tour de France also.

So, after five and a half years, I am well on the way to recovery, but at times not without problems.
I am able to go out and participate in events, enjoy nights out at the theatre, go out for meals, walks, holidays and generally have a social life.I try to maintain a normal routine during the day, but if I am going out at night I try to rest during the afternoon. It can be frustrating sitting down and watching my husband do jobs that I feel I should be doing.

I do have acupuncture around every three weeks, which I personally find beneficial. Approximately every five/six weeks I have treatment to put my body back in alignment. Walking or even the cold weather, when I tend to "scrunch" up my frame, means that my body slips out of alignment and this results in a very painful neck, shoulder, arm and knee. As I am walking more frequently and for longer distances, with my uneven gait, it is so easy for things to become un-aligned. The top,cervical, vertebrae is the key to the body's support and holding us up.

If I get overtired I do get the peculiar sensation in the head, it is like when a merry go round stops and you get off, but the head keeps travelling. A sensation which I have still  not lost entirely, but thankfully this is occurring less frequently. Occasionally, I am prescribed medication from my G.P. for this condition.

A simple but effective way of keeping the body warm, and therefore less likely to be "hudled", is to wear a scarf around the neck, wear gloves - even in the house I have a pair of fingerless on - and wear a hat on chilly days. This way the nerves are all kept warm and cosy.

Nerve functions

 I still take comfort from Jill Bolte Taylor, the Neuroamatonist, who gives such a wonderful insight to her stroke:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU

It took her around seven years to fully recover, so I am still work in progress and aiming to combat the effects of my stroke.

Action on Stroke Month 2015

May is Action on Stroke Month and this year the Stroke 

Association are asking everyone  to come together to help to:

 Make May Purple to raise awareness of stroke.

Bake it, wear it, plant it- have you got a great idea to Make 

May Purple?

Don’t keep it to yourself- comment below and let us know 

your purple plans and help inspire others to get 

stroke the attention deserves!

To find out more about Make May Purple 

visit: http://strk.org.uk/1IgxPph