Posts Tagged ‘Dealing with having a stroke,’
computer therapy
Author: Vic
my computergives me a look into the world around me. I am 70 years old and learning how to use my lap top. It’s a challenge, but well worth the effort. I went to the Dell PC site and found just what I needed. The computer I got is Dell Vostro 1500 lap top. It is working out very nicely for me. I also have a Logitech wireless mouse. This setup has helped me to regain some use up my right hand. I got hooked up to the web through Verizon wireless. So I don’t have a lot of wires to worry about now. I like the lap top because it doesn’t require much room. It’s really easy to take with me so if I need help I can have it right there. I couldn’t do this with a desktop.
Toshiba Satellite L305-S5924 15.4-Inch Laptop
e-mail --this enabled me to be a in touch with more people. I have never been much of a letter writer as I always seem to be too busy to take the time and write. Now I know this is a pretty lame reason, but it's all I have. So, after my stroke I decided I would write my friends and family on a regular basis and make an effort to keep in touch. I had to learn how to manage my e-mail and my daughter helped me out. I've found out that I was best at short messages, and this is worked out very well in the e-mail. I found that my temperament, fits me very well for short e-mails.
I've always liked cartoons, and so I found on the web a place where I could get them . So, I signed up, and I send people comics that I think they may like. I have found this to be very therapeutic for me: it keeps my mind active and causes me to think about my family and friends. Who would've thunk? Of course I have to have good manners and be careful not to overload people with too much stuff.
The Web reminds me of the old days when I would go to the library. I can travel to far off lands, or learn a new language, or look up a word, or learn how to operate my computer.
Now, of course, you must use your head so you don't get trapped in something you didn't want to. I needed to learn surfing the web could be dangerous. Once I applied myself to this training, things have been going along quite nicely. I like the fact that I have a choice. I can choose what I want to do and what I don't want to do.
I have one more point to make. Using the computer stimulates your mind. When I had my stroke in 2005. I couldn't think, remember, or speak well. Of course, I took therapy for this, how ever, I really noticed a great improvement as I got on the computer. So, it is well worth the effort, to use and learn about the computer. It is a very therapeutic routine.
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drugstore stuff
Author: Vic
-When I had my stroke I began to realize that I couldn’t go shopping for my personal stuff anymore. Well one more thing to remind me that I was now handicapped! I got very angry at myself for not paying more attention to my body and taking care of me. Well, God helped me to get over it. So I went to my computer and looked up Web drugstores. I finally found one that I liked and set myself up an account . I happen to use drug store.com.
I could order my toothpaste, mouth wash, shampoo, etc. and have it shipped directly to me. I didn't have to wait until someone could take me to the drug store. I had to learn how to shop on the Internet as this is a bit different than going into a store. Doing this gave me a feeling of independence... [a good thing!].
One of the things that I had to come to grips with was shaving. Now, I've always been a blade man. Over the years, I've tried electric shaver's and not care for them. Now that I've had a stroke. I had to re-look at shaving. I couldn't hold a blade in my hand. So I had to have someone shave me. Of course, this took away independence... so I decided to try an electric shaver. Here at the drug store I've found just what I needed. I used my Visa card and ordered it. I must say I am very happy with the way it works.
Another thing that I am using is a electric tooth brush. This helps me to feel more independent also. I couldn't brush my teeth so I needed help there also. Since I couldn't move my hand anymore, the electric toothbrush solved my problem. I found that Crest makes one just uses batteries. It works very well.
The view from a chair
Author: Vic
Using a wheelchair takes some getting used to. I have to admit that all the time I was walking I didn’t think much about using wheelchair. In fact, I used to get angry because the wheelchair people had special places. Very thoughtless, huh! After my stroke in 2005 I could no longer walk. So guess what … I was forced into using a wheelchair. My life had changed and I was not happy. Fortunately I was able to push myself around the convalescent hospital. I saw others who were far less fortunate than I was, who couldn’t even move around by themselves.
I became determined to make the best of the situation. Now one of the things that was hard for me was asking people to help me. Like pushing me to where I needed to go. Once again my independence was out the window. Even my first time on the handicapped bus was a bit creepy as I was used to taking myself where I want to go. I won’t lie here, because mentaly it was very, very hard for me.
wheelchairs
It’s now 2009 and I am making progress. The bus is really easy to do and I enjoy myself. They help me on board, and I go for a ride. In fact, our activities people take us to the movies and out to eat. I enjoy it very much and am very thankful I am healthy enough to do it.
dealing with being handicapped all of a sudden! physicaly
Author: Vic
I found myself in the hospital and I remember thinking, well I should be out here soon, as I didn’t like hospitals. N OT… well, things got worse and I could not move. This was very frightening to me, since the worst injury I had suffered to date was a broken leg. Yes going back on writing this is very hard. I had to recall events that were very hard for me to go through.
The hospital checked me in and took me up to a room. My whole right side was frozen as I could not move anything. They had me on my back, and I couldn’t even rest. I am a side sleep person and that was most uncomfortable. My family came to see me and all felt so strange. I just wanted to be out of there and was so angry at myself for having this damned stroke.
My oldest daughter came in and pushed me in a wheelchair around the facility. It was good to get out there. However, I felt useless. Now remember, I have been self employed for years and have taken care of myself all that time. Being confined to a wheelchair was awful. Just the thought of it made me ill.
I was in the hospital for three days and then they decided to move me into a convalescent home. Once again, I had no control over what was going on. The place was nice but full full of old people. I was told that I was going to get therapy there so I could work on getting better. Now, I was 67 years old, and only about 40 in my mind.
Once again, I had to get used to being in the new place with people I didn’t know. I was a very private guy and found it very difficult to allow myself to fit in . The physical therapy people were very kind and put up with my attitude. My stroke was truly awful… and I needed help getting in and out of bed, brushing my teeth, going to the bathroom, and just trying to get around in the wheelchair. I became determined that I was going to lick this problem.
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