Stroke Story Views

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My story starts about eighteen years ago on November 8, 2008. That was 13 years past my heart attack and yes, I am a lucky guy. First a heart attack, then a stroke! But I am a lucky guy because I beat them both! I must have been left here for something.
Since this is about my stroke and not about my heart attack, I’ll get right to the stroke. I was working out in the company gym because although I was in good health, I wanted to shed a few pounds so I looked better (macho, macho man). So, in doing a triceps push-down, I put too much weight on (macho man again) and really had to strain to get it down. Although my doctors didn’t think so, to me it is what caused my carotid dissection. While walking back to my desk after the workout, I got dizzy and almost fell. That was on a Wednesday and I had a stroke on Saturday. And this is after I had a great day fly fishing and playing guitar, two of my favorite hobbies. To say I would do them as much as I could would be an understatement. To give you an example, after being out fishing all day, thanks to my wonderful wife Mary I was able to come home and play guitar from when I got home until dinner time thanks again, Mary, you’re the best; more about Mary later! Now, here’s where the bad part starts.
Before the stroke, my life centered around family gatherings and personal satisfaction through guitar playing and fly fishing. Also, I loved my job as a computer programmer/business analyst at the Voya financial company. That is to say, I was a happy camper!
But after the stroke which is a sudden and life-altering event that left me paralyzed on my left side, including debilitating spasticity in my left hand. My disability prevented me from playing guitar and fly fishing because both of these endeavors are bilateral and now that I have a disabled left hand there goes what I thought would be a wonderful retirement. Traveling with Mary and other things that retired couples do and of course, playing guitar and fly fishing.
One of the challenges I had at the beginning of my stroke recovery journey was a very poignant moment, which was my inability to hold my first grandson, and it was on top of fear, depression, and frustration over the loss of my bi-functionality. I wasn’t able to experience the pleasure of that first hug. It was not very reassuring. Yes, rehabilitation facilities often prioritize helping stroke survivors regain ambulation (the ability to walk) early in their recovery. So, I will concede to their evaluations since I am not an OT, PT, or doctor. However, it is my contention that since small muscle groups supporting fine motor skills take longer to heal at the beginning of therapy, they should at least be given more O. T. then is now given.