Louise

Hi Hannah I didn’t know that there were a few different kinds I can only talk about 1. Yes its physio OT physiologist mainly I had a time table kind of like classes at school to be honest the days passed fairly quickly because of this if I remember. I had to make a cup of coffee or it could be tea what ever is your thing, the OT took me to the supermarket & we bought some things to make a lunch. Speech Therapy: Just what it is. When I got there this girl was there her Dad used to come in every night from work to see her, he used to come around & speak with other visitors he was a Lawyer & now he’s actually our Lawyer because when my Dad passed away & I needed legal advice who better someone that knew & understood me, as who I now am. Emily is still there in the Re-hab hospital, she’s been there a long time now. Physio: Well its what you think, I thought it was pretty tough but without it my limp would be far worse & the movement that wasn’t there in my right hand is fully back although both are bad when I’m tired but that’s maybe just me. Occupational Therapy OT: My first meeting with her to me was strange I had to dress in front of her, but then she could asses how I was doing I understand that now but then wow!!! I had to brush my teeth, I held the toothbrush like a child holds a spoon & I had no idea what you did with it, she motioned teeth ah now I remember I though. I was given picture cards of Concorde landing, taking off, in flight & taking I had to put them into order – it was way wrong…… I was given a ball with the shapes out of it I used to look after my friends little boy who I used to do the same thing with, I thought “oh please don’t insult my intelligence†the shock to me came when I couldn’t fit the shapes into the ball I couldn’t understand why my brain couldn’t see that there was a problem I thought I hadn’t changed at all…so….. Physiologist: I saw someone every day I was there we just chatted I don’t remember what we talked about, what had happened to me they assessed me a lot I think. None of it made much sense to me if I remember I thought it all so silly but now I am so glad that I went there, I got out at the weekends, I used to call Ronnie my jailer when he took me back on the Sunday night, if I hadn’t went there I wouldn’t be able to do half the things I do or function in the way I do, it was the OT that got me the place at college too. So all in all I am pleased that I went to the Re-hab hospital although I know at the time I didn’t want to go & Ronnie & my Dad had a terrible time with me, because although they explained it over & over again I thought that they didn’t want me I thought that they didn’t love me anymore that was very tough on all of us but I’m glad they were strong & didn’t weaken because now I am so grateful…. I hope that this is ok, if you want to ask anything you only have to ask. Take care Louise.xxx

Hi there I think the other two have said it, its true what they say you do hurt the ones you love, frustration & not understanding just quite whats went on is a horrible place to be & thinking that you can rely on your family & they seem against you is so horrible I still remember that feeling it sends shivers up my spine but it gets better & I hope it will be soon. You hang in there and take care of yourself. bye just now. Louise.x

Hi Hannah I agree with Karen what a battle your having you shouldnt have to be doing all that.... I went into a re-hab hospital after my SAH I had to learn to do things all over again things that people take for granted, not long after I was out of the re-hab I was rushed into the Neuro again with Viral Meningitis & terrible to say but I refused to go to the Re-hab hospital for a second time. I do think that reading your entries that a Re-hab hospital where there's phycio, phycologists & OT, (please excuse spelling) would be of great help to your Mum's recovery I wouldnt say that after 3 months I stopped recovery I would say its be on-going all the time some of it noticable & some not so, but thinking back to the first year, well I couldnt have done this or holding a verbal conversation wasn't really me either I could never think of the words for things, yes things have & do improve greatly. Wishing you luck with it. Take care Louise.xx

Hello Paul Wellcome to the site I read your story earlier on today but had a quick look before doing this because I'd forgotten..short term memory :? I cant remember what happened either although I lost only 5 weeks which people thought was bad I have been very luckey & I know that, like you not remembering isnt a problem to me who wants to remember what happened when I was in hospital - I for one sure don't. I think that 3 years after this happened I was still very fragile but slowly things were begining to make sense, it all seems to take a very long time the brain's something that can't be rushed. Nice hearing from you hope you keep in-touch. Take care Louise.

Hey there, yes my thoughts are with you & your family Big hugs look after yourself too. Take care Louise.xx

Hi John Oh & I thought it was just me that had friends/family like that, obviously not. Its a tough one if you've explaned to them I used to say into myself if you lived me for 4 days you may see things differently. Sadly though for me its not the friends so much the problem its family I've had the thing with. But your wise not going if you think you wouldnt be well after all only you know how you will be when your away, I'm not to good away from home now I've had to make desissions about not doing things dosnt mean to say I like the choice but its what's best for you that counts. Take care Louise.

Hi Hannah Well that was good that your Mum got home over Christmas & I know how tireing it would have been for you. In my case they thought too 'this was as good as it gets' but things do keep improving all the time although I have to say at a very slow pace, I needed a lot of simulation my husband got me word seach books kids ones & later kids jig-saws the big chunky ones they get the brain moving I used to get sooooo frustrated I couldnt do it, a childs game I used to think to myself but now I know they helped me a lot & I'm so grateful to Ronnie for his insisting I do them. Your Mum has come so far & she will contiue to do so you have to be strong & also get the balance right that you look after yourself too, to be able to do it. Take care Louise.xx

Hey, Hey Edinburgh eh! was it the Western General? I was there & would be nice if Edinburgh was in Australia be a lot warmer!!!.... My Weird thing wasn't thinking I was in a different country I thought my Auntie was in the next room I kept taking my visitors into say Hello, it was the meds I was on that did it. I dont remember 5 weeks that I was in hospital, but hey who wants to remember what happened - I dont for sure... When I went to the Outpatient's my husband Ronnie would be saying Hello to this one & that one I'd say who's that the nurse from the Constant Care ward - why dont I remember her I'd ask, but the voice is so familiar weird...... Oh yes post-it notes very handy little things or maganets on the fridge with bills that are to be paid, whatever works for you....

Hi there And welcome to the site. So sorry to hear about your sisters terrible car accident. My cousin was in a road traffic accident over a year ago I know how you are feeling. I might be wrong but I'd doubt that she would have a nervous breakdown. There are most certainly Up's & Down's when recovering from such an ordeal. You all have to be very strong for your sister. I hope you keep us informed when you have the time Take care Regards Louise.

Hi Yes you get used to it, mines feels like as you say a huge big lump but in time it settled down not so huge now. bye just now Louise.

Hi there Wellcome tired & emotional yeh that's the normal but its not been all that long. I've got a few shunts, coiled sealed & a bad short term memory, still you have to smile..... Take care Louise.

Hi there Sorry about delay in answering I was LOCKED OUT OF THE SITE hope it wasnt because I was being honest. Yeh I know what that's like only too well not looking as though you've had an SAH, but how should you look thats what I want to know after all 'what's normal' as they say!!! :? take it easy bye just now. Louise.xx

Hey there I'd take the bull by the horn & go have a chat now while you feel like this, but yes it could just be the hussle & bussle of the time of year. I think you guys that have managed back to work are brilliant I wish it was me sadly its not, maybe your pushing it too much, it was a SAH not a broken limb, its still healing its not a 6/8 week heal it takes a long time push too hard & its going to take longer. Yes if your hungry or past eating I get a headach & sadly too much choccis for me is a bad thing, its a hell at this time of the year Ok getting off my soapbox now its not really a soapbox its what I was told oh long time ago now I was pushing too hard because its what I thought I should be doing all I was doing was causing myself grief.... Take care Louise.xx

Hi guys It could all be to do with all the pressure of the Festive season it really takes it out of you even if you dont think it is but I'd go see your doc & have a chat. Sami maybe it was one of those things your GP missinforming you it may not be his thing Neuro stuff....... And I think your doc can get you an appointment with the Neuro dept if he thinks its needed.... I was told that if I had any problems to go back to the hospital if your worried enough they wont turn you away.... I really would either see the doc or go back to the Neuro unit at the hospital its worth a chat with them anyway. Well hope that ramble makes sense to you take it easy. Louise.xx

Hi there Cant say its something that I've been interested in then maybe its because it all is kind of way over my head - excuse the pun.... I have seen all my images though. For me though its kind of happened & I have to move on from it not dwell on it like looking at what's happened. Ronnie was more interested than me I reckon. I'd never heard of them giving you a CD of it (not free I know) Still that's just me.... Take care And nice hearing from you Sami. Louise.xx

Hi there And a Happy New Year to you all. John think we've all felt like that I used to feel like I was letting people down, I felt sorry for my husband who I felt was missing out, now its only every now & then that it happens if at all, try explaining to people why it is that you have to go home your not being a party pooper & think to yourself could they do it if rolls were reversed. I was in bed by 10.30 Sunday night wasnt feeling to good. think it was that brick wall I hit you know the one you cant see it but its there its as though it rises from the ground just when you dont expect it. The weather was horrible here they did have fireworks but couldnt hear them for the wind. Well all for now speak later. Louise.xx

Hi Karen Ronnie & I wish you and your family a Very Happy & Healthy New Year. I didnt do as good as you by the way at my Night Out, Ronnie had to phone the Taxi to pick us up half hour before it was due, it was ok till they started all the music that the kids like now however we had the taxi booked for midnight & we got home at 11.59pm so I didnt feel too bad about it. It was a good night though I really enjoyed myself. New Year is just going to be quiet though, we normally have people up on the 1st not this year Ronnie's working the 2nd I'd howling a gale & lashing with rain just now, I dont know if they will cancell the Fireworks or not tonight. Well Have a gid New Year 'Slan juh va' Louise.xx

Hi there When I'm in the car I dont feel pressure in my head, but I do get it in my ears sometimes a thump, however when I was around 8 months into this we were on holiday & as the car was climbing higher up the hillside I could feel enormous pressure in my head but glad to say that dosnt happen now I'm glad too that you got things sorted out with the results look forward to finding out about it after you've been on the 8th. A Happy New Year when it comes. Louise.xx

Hi Karen Oh that's such good new I've just read your last few posts, it must have been such a relief to you. Take care Louise.xx

I do tend to get things wrong I have to say so to make sure I'm on the right track; I was please to hear that you finally had got another appointment. Though isnt it funny how they never seem to know what's what I never gave it a thought because they just sent for me & I got my MRI weird isn't? Louise.

Hey there No I didn't misunderstand you (I don't think) :?

Hi Scoot Glad to hear you finally got an appointment at last. Yeh MRI is a closed scanner I hate very tight spaces too, they give you head phones & they give you a wide range of things to listen to I took in relaxation CD but would have been better with music it makes a bit of a noise, I just closed my eyes it was over quicker than I expected. Take care Louise.

Hi guys And Merry Christmas hope Santa was good to everyone!! Annie, I so know what you mean about 'life being so different for you now, & everyone just sweeps it under the carpet' Oh yes I sooo understand that.... From the moment this happened to me not only my life changed but Ronnie's too its hard on him especially when I'm having bad times. Scott, I too had a fit when I had mine I was on anti seizure drugs for about a year. I cant remember the first 5 weeks & the next 5 its only bits & peices so anything that I know my husband Ronnie has told me or I've since read about, when I used to go for my check ups the consultant would say we've meet do you remember me when I said NO they'd look at me but I found it really funny in the Neuro being surprised when people dont remember you just totally funny - or maybe its just me!!!!! I did things that were totally out of charactor for me too I used to go wandering off they had to electronically tag me so I didnt go out the door not me at all. When I got transferred to the Re-hab hospital they didnt have an ambulance to take me so they sent me in a private hire Taxi, Ronnie was furious that's one of my first vivid memories, in a traffic jam in the centre of town, a dull day all the Christmas lights were on it looked like 4pm & not morning I spotted this red dress & thought I like that, then thought I never wear dresses, when I realized I was in a car with someone I didnt know I very nearly got out, I would have if the traffic hadnt started to move...scarry.... From that minute it was as if someone was slowly turning the dimmer switch up... I cant go in a taxi on my own now!!!! :? I wouldnt drink when they wanted me to so I got it forced into me they wouldnt listen so what went down--well.... Well I'll stop there don't want to go into all that again. Hope everyone is well today Take care Louise.xxx

Yeh John great to hear all went well. I found that lying flat was the worst bit, but I was only lying for 4 hours. Have a great Christmas. Louise.

Hey Denise A warm welcome from me too. Your question its not a stroke though very similar I think, I cant actually remember what I've been told, my memory was affected by it. Every case is sooooooooo different. Wow & some people think our NHS is pretty bad, thankfully I didnt have to go through all that your going through trying to find a neurosergeon... :? I wish you well Denise & if you've any questions you'll find that someone here will have an input. Take care Louise.x