What I still can't do properly and never will with the current state of stroke rehab and research
I may be quite functionally able to do most everything I want to, that is not the goal. THE GOAL IS 100% RECOVERY. I don't want compensation, I want recovery. There should no stroke disability that doesn't have a protocol for it. Decades and 10 million yearly stroke survivors mean there is a vast market of information on what works and what doesn't. Whomever can't see and apply that needs to be drummed out of stroke.
- Car driving; I can't use the turn signals with my left hand, I can't drink coffee while driving, I can't adjust heat, fan or radio while driving. I can't ever use my bright lights. I can't close the drivers side door with my left arm/hand. I can't change a tire using the scissors screw jack. I can't lift the car hood and place the support for holding it up. I can no longer drive a manual transmission, this is almost required since almost all rental cars in Europe are manual. I can't use any of the window controls while driving. I can't lift my arm in or out of the open car window, hopefully I'm never sideswiped while driving like that.
- Food: I can't open any jar larger than 2 inches in diameter. I can't unwrap muffin or cupcake papers. I can't spread peanut butter or jam.
- Sex: I can't do missionary or Queen's throne style. Women have two breasts and two butts, I can't fondle them at the same time.Three separate women have snuggled up against my left side. My brain told my left arm to respond appropriately. It declined. I only managed to date one. My recreational therapist just said sex was ok. He had NO consideration of any problems that might be preventing it.
- Biking: I can't do more than 1/2 mile on a two wheeler.
- Running: I can't do this.
- Bed: I can't make a bed using fitted sheets.
- Washing: I can't wash my hands with any sort of cleanliness. I can't really dry my hands unless it is an air dryer.
- Keys: I can't get keys on or off a key ring.
- Chainsaw: I can't use my more powerful gas chainsaw. The battery one runs out of energy in 5 minutes, dying battery, not able to rebuild or replace.
- Hospital gowns: I can't tie them in back.
- Zippers: I can usually get them done in 15-20 minutes, but never outside in the cold.
- Stuff sacks for camping: I can't get sleeping bag packed. I can't get the Thermarest rolled tightly.
- Tote bags: I can't fill these unless they are completely stiff.
- Dancing: I can't jump like a rock star as directed by the Blue Man Group, I can do the head bobbing.
- Camping: I can't fill stuff sacks or dry bags with gear. I require a 3 legged camp chair to sit in so I have a lap to put my plate on for eating.
- Food: Steaks are out of the question, can't cut them. Sardine tins are impossible without spraying oil and mustard all over. Can't spread a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
- Door opening: With a locked door I have to set down whatever I'm carrying to get it unlocked and open.
- Wine opening: Opening possible by wedging the bottle between my feet. I want to do it the standard way.
- Writing: I can't use my left hand fingers to hold down paper as I write on it. Opening envelopes doesn't work. I can no longer fold paper.
- Blood donation: Can't use my left arm, will not lay flat, can't squeeze the rubber ball.
- Sleeping: Can't turn over without pulling the covers off.
- Sit to stand: In deep chairs and couches I have to pivot so my left butt cheek is on the edge of the seat, then I have to push myself upright with my right arm. Left arm can't do a damn thing.
- Tying knots: No shoelace tying, that has caused a lot of toe problems, lost nails, blisters. No knot tying for fastening canoes to the car.
- No transporting canoes or sea kayaks: I can't even lift my left arm above my head with no weight.
Dean,
ReplyDeleteI am 6 years PS and your list pretty much describes me. I can do some of these items better, but your walking must be way better than me. I plan to really put in a lot of time walking this summer to improve that.
I still have Medicare paid therapy once a month with 3 different neurological therapists to help me figure out what to spend my HEP time on. Very frustratingly slow, but steady measurable improvement keeps me going.
I continue to check your blog posts daily, and I know you must feel like you are banging you head against the wall, but I appreciate it and hope you keep at it!
I suppose I should stop hitting my head against the stroke medical world but it is too much fun poking holes in everything they do wrong.
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