maggie

John what a truly inspiring and encouraging post. Am really, really pleased to read that things are so good and wish you all the very best for your future. Fabulous reading how well your doing. We all know the challenges and struggles you have had to get to this point. It's a long time since I posted too, although I think about you all often and keep up to date with you all as best I can. Love to everyone maggie xxx

'Now I feel vulnerable, unable to remember things as well, harder to concentrate so much that it tires me to the stage of switch off like a mobile phone when the battery runs out. My zest has gone and I doubt myself so much always thinking I have made a bad choice or said the wrong thing' Di I feel exactly the same one day I was a strong fit and healthy young 58 with a whole lot of dreams and new experiences to be fulfilled, the next i'd been thrust into old age and am constantly reminded that I am old not getting old! So I have developed my own filtering system and thats to ignore any of these negative comments and not react,of course deep down I am seething:devil: but don't give anyone the satisfaction of knowing this.Cos people just seem to love putting others down! Bad enough we live in an ageist society:roll: The only advise I can offer is to go back to basics and as you say a short simple response to those who you suspect really dont want to know and concentrate on those who do. This way it avoids the frustrations and hurt that often accompanies the innocuous phrase 'how are you'! Your not alone Di,its so hard to keep positive when there are so many hurdles to jump, and when others don't seem to understand but we're all here and we do understand:-D When I get really sensitive about the ageing process I just recall some one telling me (for the first time in my life) ' after all your not a spring chicken now!'...... I was 28yrs old! ps. Good luck in your search , if you find the fountain of youth, you will share it won't you? Hugs Maggiexxx

Maggie May lol You could try this one Win.... oh she robbed those lime juice sailors and the captains of the whalers Than dirty, robbing no good Maggie May... BUT, I like this one best .... you may search from here to china,you'll not find any girl thats finer that is finer than my darlin Maggie May lol:lol:

CONGRATULAIONS TO MY LOVLIE WIN so pleased for you and in your honour am going to smile all day , think happy thoughts and sing Love Maggie xxx:biggrin::biggrin:

Oh Win don't ever change you always make me smile and help me re form a positive aproach to my condition! :confused:it may not always be possible to acheive a positive outlook but it certainly helps knowing that others have overcome difficulties worse than mine and managed to bring joy back into their lives even if it is often overshadowed by illness and difficulties from time to time!! Such as life!

Minan Welcome I hope you find some peace here and someone who you can relate to so as not to feel so isolated. Since this wonderful site started none of us are ever alone Minan, there is usually someone who has had similar problems to deal with as yours what ever your problem may be.Your not alone anymore Minan. I am glad you are healing and the depression is lifting. Keep talking here, good that you found this site! Hugs xxx

Bill I think your very brave, you write with such poignancy and honesty I am sure your touching a chord with many of us in one way or another. I have grieved for the life I once had and the promise of a life I had planned for the past two and a half years! Your post has helped me realize that I am actually still grieving! Having to face up to what I have lost and move on is something that I have avoided doing for far too long , avoidance has almost become a comfort blanket.I have been too scared to make changes - that would be an admission that all the things I had planned for my retirement could not be fulfilled. I had forgotten my resolve that whilst I knew i'd never be the same as before I could be as good as if not better! I just have to tweek my plans and try to make a compromise that would fulfill my dreams. THANK YOU for your honesty.

Hi Steven and welcome! What a story you have to tell and how fantastic that you have made an amazing recovery.Am so happy for you and agree,GO GET A LOTTERY TICKET!!!!! It just goes to show how very diferent we all are and how diverse an effect an SAH can have,no wonder the experts are baffled as to how any one recovery will progress and little wonder we are told so little on leaving hospital. We just have to wait and see what we - as individuals - are left with and some do alot better than others. Wishing you all th best Maggie

Vivien, your photo is wonderful it portrays a really strong message as well as speaking volumes. Thank you for sharing. Maggie

HAPPY ANNI VERSARY RHIANN :-D:-D Cogratulations Rhiann you made it to the first post! I know exactly what you mean, I felt nervous all day on my 1st anniversary so happy to say am now on my way to my 3rd. Try to embrace the day and get some chocolate before win gobbles up the world supply

Hi Kelly welcome to our exclusive club with only the best folk as members! Am sorry your experiencing lots of difficulties since your SAH but like Skippy says keep trying to improve, don't ever give up. It is a slow process and often takes its toll and gets us all down but your here amongst friends now and we know exactly how you feel. Look forward to hearing more from you x

Hi Michael, special welcome from a fellow Northener:-D Don't wory you didn't ramble at all! We're an inquisitive bunch here, we all can find something to relate to in everyones story! Thanks for posting and sharing. I too am one who totally empathises with you although I can offer no help or solutions. I suffered RLS prior to my SAH although certainly not as severe as it is now. I found it helped to drink plenty of water in those days! These days I would be a nightmare on a long haul flight! It is so acute and made worse when I am over tired. My legs seem to take on a mind of their own ! Will keep you posted if I wind anything helpful. Good to hear from you and that your recovery is going well.

Good you went to the GP John. Take time to recover and take it easy! Hopefully sooner rather than later you will start to feel better. I am falling into the trap of thinking I am (or rather should be) better. On my good days I can't imagine feeling so tired as I often do! And that's why we need our pals on here to remind us that we are still recovering. And whilst it may be several years since the event and not just months we are still vulnerable and need reassurance from others who like ourselves have a blip now and then. Maggiex

Hi John, I am the same. Am two and a half years into recovery and was doing really well managing fatigue.........Or so I thought! Recently I have experienced an overwhelming tiredness which doesn't respond to a 'duvet day'! Its really knocked me for six. My batteries simply won't recharge like they used to do. My thermostat is all out of sync...... am extremly hot one minute and extremely cold the next! And my legs feel like lead has been poured into my bones. Am seeing the doctor and having tests done. Hopefully you'll get some answers when you see your neuro and your GP. Keep us posted. Good luck John hope things improve soon x

Hi Montana and welcome! What a shock, you must be totally overwhelmed by it all (as we all are when it first happens to us!). Well at least your here and glad to be so,its hard at first but drink plenty of water for the old brain and keep calm try not to worry .... its 'baby steps' all the way for the time being! Take each day as it comes and look after yourself the head aches do pass just keep drinking plenty of fluids thats the best you can do. Good luck and look forward to you joining us in the green room.

Michelle, hope things start to improve soon, there is nothing worse than your child being poorly and you not being able to mend it. Sending lots of love best wishes and hopes that you get some help xxx

Welcome and thank you for posting your story.You have been through a huge life change and am amzed you are so well grounded , well done you ! I really do hope you keep positive and strong and that things go really well for you. Never give up Charlott-Anne always have hope and believe anything is possible! Big Hugs x

Originally Posted by Juliette I was wondering how flying affects us after SAH. Did anyone who's flown have pain or starnge feelings in their head during or after the flight? Like Penny I have never felt anything different and have been fine!

'Can't look at myself anymore though.. I only hear my nervous tone and all the UNpossible grammar mistakes I made.. ' Nessie I have taught English as a second lanquage and I honestly didn't notice any grammer errors! If there were any I am sure they were delivered with such a quiet and calm dignity that made them impossible to sound anything but charming. As for being nervous, well you could have heard a pin drop in the auditorium and there was 'little ol you' in full focuss. Awesome! Forgive yourself emmediately girl. We are proud of you!

Hi Anne, within 6 months post op I flew regularly to Switzerland and although it was only an hours flight I felt exhausted afterwards. The whole journey ie ;going to the airport waiting at the terminal check in then waiting to board takes its toll. The noises and the lights etc all sap our energy under normal circumstances little wonder we feel so drained! I would definitely get checjked out by the doctor to rule out any other possibilities but try not to worry. Flying dehydrates us so much so liken Annya said drink plenty. Try not to be too anxious you'll be fine and dandy soon i've no doubt but go get chkd to be safe! Hugs and wishes for a feel good day soon!

Nessie, I am in awe, truly I am! I think your amazing to stand infront of all those people and tell your story with such courage and humility! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for speaking out for all of us who are in recovery. I wish you all the luck in the world for your recovery. Maggie xxx

Hi Sonia my lovlie botox queen,am really happy read your post,you sound very positive and satisified which is wonderful. Thanks for posting love to you xxx

Hi Janes thank you for sharing your story. Hope your recovery continues to be good. your making huge progress well done you for being so positive! xxx

Hi Shelly and a warm welcome to you. you are really doing so well and sound nice and positive too. Good luck for Monday not long to wait. am sure all will go well. Write all your questions down as you think keep the list next to the kettle ( always its the one place we all seem to gravitate towards! Don't forget to take it with you! Big Hugs and good vibes for Mon!

Janet excellent news,really long over due but at long last your moving forward. I can feel your relief from here! Sometimes we have to fight for our rights and you have done just that and by getting heard and noticed you will have paved the way for others who like you have had sever pain to cope with for far too long!