Accepting the reality was
objectionable on my part. Being able to succumb to the instances, swallowing
the pride and appreciating what was left parted at me unguardedly. It was a big
deal for me not being able to do what I used to. My movements were limited as
they are bothered by muscle spasticity.
Numbness coupled with pain is what’s best to describe it. Lifting and
stretching a leg felt like lifting a heavy boulder. I am now married to my
wheelchair and my canes. What I am right now is also caused by the motivation
and care of people who pushed me harder and helped me realize that there is
hope. All I have to do is formulate a frame of mind that this stroke is just a
wake-up call in my current wrongdoings in life.
I gradually learned to accept and appreciate the minute things in life.
Looking for my purpose is the next thing, but I know it will come eventually.
...inside the random mind of the willed man in wheel chair...bursts of simple ups and downs of the struggling life as breathed out on a typical layman's perspective...
July 7, 2012
July 6, 2012
Reality check
Applying to what is said to be done to battle depression is like reaching a point through an endless tunnel. I being idle, traduced and damaged relied heavily on sole thing that was left clinging in my mind – faith. To believe in yourself and in everything you do in a situation like mine is considered a miracle. It is only faith that wakes me up each morning. It pushes me to stand, walk, laugh and cry just any normal human being. Last time I was watching a NatGeo documentary about bizarre personalities, those with Turrets, Trichotillomania, Necrolepsy and Autism presented in a more humane way and how the modern society perceives them. Seeing those was an eye-opener for me knowing what you can achieve under extreme circumstances. It gave me more hope, inspiration and a renewed faith under a gloomy sky. I saw a more concrete and profound goal in life.
July 5, 2012
chill...
A quiet, relaxed and easy listening music videos from Bruno Mars and John Legend. It chills and taps your appreciation of life and how beautiful it can be. Songs that show human existence alone brings hope.
Depression
I’ve seen it, read about it and felt it. I
would say that it is the aftermath or the aftershock of stroke. As a stroke
survivor, the manner of how to go dealing with it largely foreshadow your
future as someone whose willingness and strong drive emancipates. But for those
slaved by it, it cries the needed support and guidance from family and friends.
Depression it is.
Depression |
It is described as ‘’a mental condition in which
people feel extremely sad and lose interest in life.’’ People with depression
may also have sleep problems and loss of appetite, and may have trouble
concentrating and carrying out everyday activities. This type of human
behaviour is commonly felt by those who suffered stroke. It affects and even tries
to dominate one’s life. Depression per se and symptoms of depression, I guess.
It dawned on me making me think that I’m hopeless.
That everything I had is gone – career, friends, plans in life and everything
tangible in my memory. My physical attributes, my self-esteem and my faith were
endangered by depression. As a stroke patient, sometimes I wish I was dead so I
won’t prolong this misery of mine. Winning over it is very hard. You have to
accept and swallow everything. Like ending and coping up in a relationship, you
need to move on. Miserable it may seem, but you have to build a new and
optimistic view in life relative to your present condition.
change...
Having known that lifestyle
dramatically matters much on people having a stroke, there can be no possible
way but consider changing it. I know that it’s easier said than done. Some may
take it lightly, some would ignore it. Giving it a try can absolutely garner
you healthy prizes in return. It’s true that we can never learn enough on one
thing unless we, ourselves experience it. But it is entirely different in this
case. We don’t want to be caught in a place where ‘’it’s too late’’. Hard it is
but worthy in the end.
The risk of stroke can be reduced through
lifestyle changes:
• stop smoking
• control blood pressure
• get regular exercise
• keep body weight down
• avoid excessive alcohol consumption
• get regular checkups and follow the
doctor’s advice regarding diet and medicines
Changing
the same gets you more focused and develops a more optimistic view in life.
Longevity in life prolongs.
July 4, 2012
Risks
As said by medical experts and
concerned individuals, that prevention is the best answer to all worries and
illnesses. But what are the specific risks factors concerning that fearful and
apostate stroke? Knowing them could save us a fortune, precious time, our lives
and those of our loved-ones. Studies have revealed the following as
contributing risk factors:
smoking |
- Age & Sex – stroke tends to attack on older people. Those aged 55 or above are more prone to stroke although recent studies show terrifying conclusion that the age bracket widens, meaning anyone as early as 20 can be a candidate for stroke. Men are more likely to have a stroke than women. It’s maybe caused by- you guessed it right,
- Lifestyle choices – those who are more stressed, uncontrollable consumption of alcohol, food (obesity) or drugs (cocaine and other intravenous kind) and smoking.
- Diseases – those who have diabetes, high blood pressure and other heart ailments has a greater risk of having a stroke.
- Heredity – well its maybe true that it really ‘runs in the blood’, a family history of stroke and heart problems targets a high possibility of having one. Studies show that Hispanics, Blacks and Asians have higher rates of having a stroke because related partly of them having high blood pressures than white people.
There are risks that are
unavoidable and there are those that we can. It’s never too late to get a hold
and control of these risks.
July 3, 2012
say 'cheese'...
I was able to raise a child whose potential in basic
photography exudes. Her goal is to be a broadcaster and let herself dive into
its rewarding realm. Her mom bought her a camera and a test photo spree she went with her mates.
Here are bits of their neophyte shots:
Facts
While I was waiting to go back to my
usual self, I managed to learn deeply various elements of what I’m presently
engaged at and currently suffers from. Through some research on the internet
and medical books, I have found out that stroke statistics would present that,
• more than half a million people in
the United States experience a new or recurrent stroke each year;
• stroke is the third leading cause of
death in the United States and the leading cause of disability;
• stroke kills about 150,000 Americans
each year, or almost one out of three stroke victims;
• three million Americans are
currently permanently disabled from stroke;
• in the United States, stroke costs
about $30 billion per year in direct costs and loss of productivity;
• two-thirds of strokes occur in
people over age 65;
• strokes affect men more often than
women, although women are more likely to die from a stroke; and,
• strokes affect blacks more often
than whites, and are more likely to be fatal among blacks.
I have
also noted that this fatal illness is most likely to strike to Asians.
Moreover, it is stated that a stroke occurs when blood flow is interrupted to part
of the brain. Without blood to supply oxygen and nutrients and to remove waste
products, brain cells quickly begin to die. Depending on the region of the brain
affected, a stroke may cause paralysis,
speech impairment, loss of memory and reasoning ability, coma, or death. A stroke is also
sometimes called a brain attack.
Amongst are the clearer views of what
are the types:
“There
are four main types of stroke. Cerebral thrombosis and cerebral embolism are caused by blood clots
that block an artery supplying the brain, either in the brain itself or in the
neck. These account for 70–80% of all strokes. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage occur when a
blood vessel bursts around or in the brain. Cerebral thrombosis occurs when a
blood clot, or thrombus, forms within the brain itself, blocking the flowof
blood through the affected vessel. Clots most often form due to “hardening” (atherosclerosis) of brain arteries.
Cerebral thrombosis occurs most often at night or early in the morning.
Cerebral thrombosis is often preceded by a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, sometimes called a
“mini-stroke.” In a TIA, blood flow is temporarily interrupted, causing
short-lived stroke-like symptoms. Recognizing the occurrence of a TIA, and
seeking immediate treatment, is an important step in stroke prevention.
Cerebral embolism occurs when a blood clot from elsewhere in the circulatory
system breaks free. If it becomes lodged in an artery supplying the brain,
either in the brain or in the neck, it can cause a stroke. The most common
cause of cerebral embolism is atrial fibrillation, a disorder of the heart
beat. In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers (atria) of the heart beat
weakly and rapidly, instead of slowly and steadily. Blood within the atria is
not completely emptied. This stagnant blood may form clots within the atria,
which can then break off and enter the circulation. Atrial fibrillation is a
factor in about 15% of all strokes. The risk of a stroke from atrial
fibrillation can be dramatically reduced with daily use of anticoagulant
medication.” (GALE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
MEDICINE 2,-Stroke)
intracerebral hemorrhage |
And below classifies my stroke:
“Hemorrhage,
or bleeding, occurs when a blood vessel breaks, either from trauma or excess
internal pressure. The vessels most likely to break are those with pre-existing
defects such as an aneurysm. An aneurysm is a “pouching out” of a blood vessel
caused by a weak arterial wall. Brain aneurysms are surprisingly common.
x
x x
Intracerebral
hemorrhage affects vessels within the brain itself, while subarachnoid
hemorrhage affects arteries at the brain’s surface, just below the protective
arachnoid membrane. Intracerebral hemorrhages represent about 10% of all
strokes, while subarachnoid haemorrhages account for about 7%.” (Ibid)
July 2, 2012
Wheel chair bursts
Is there such thing? Is it a produce of my eager but
‘stroked’ individuality? Maybe it was that blood clot that was previously jailed
now freely and vastly flows inside my brain and ordinarily coasts along my
heart. Hemorrhagic Stroke is what the doctors suspected. The sudden numbness on
the left side of my body, which left me momentarily helpless, all pointed out on
me having diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol level, triggered
that fatal stroke. I have learned that stroke occurrences depend mainly on a
person’s lifestyle and a speck of percentage of the inherited genes. What can
thou say? It’s like getting laid by misfortunes.
But the
above did not stop my wicked ordeal. Depression slowly ascended my entirety. It
crushed everything I had. My dreams felt like uncontrollable gush all turned
into waste. Emotional, financial and even the spiritual factors all marched
away from me. I was left closing my eyes thinking and sensing nothing.
‘’Nothingness if you wish’’, as I regretfully read that piece that was philosophically
written by a classmate of mine way back then. It further urged me to give life
another push. My seldom encounters with solitude whispered that it ain’t over
‘till it’s over. To assert something, another chance, is what I have. I’m not
letting this God given gift slip away so even though I’m wheel chair bound, my
inabilities would not stop me from bursting out my leftover capabilities. I’m
down, but definitely, not out.
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