a stroke survivor story

I requested a copy of the scans from before and after my surgery so I could post them here. I have had several requests to see the actual scans. So, I submitted that request and was quite happy to receive them. There was only one problem...there were no scans, just the radiologists report of my scans. So, until I receive the actual pictures, I will be posting some of the radiologist reports. Some of them are quite revealing of pons infarctions, cerebellar infarctions, brain stem infarctions and swelling of the dura. So, look for those in the next few days as I post them (one at a time, since there are quite a few and they are quite extensive.)

I recently ran across this stuff: the first is from Dr. Piper who performed my craniotomy and my stroke surgeries; the second is the impression of the radiologist from my CT scan pre-surgery, and the second is from the first post-surgery CT. Interesting stuff: ADMISSION DATE: 12/10/2008 CHIEF COMPLAINT: Bilateral cerebellar infarction HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS: The patient was sent over emergently from the VA by the neurologist. He apparently a couple weeks ago had a cold and was treating himself with cold symptom medications. There is also one report that he had undergone chiropractic manipulation but apparently talking with family it was not a chiropractor it was just a massage therapist and there was really no substantial manipulation of his neck. Regardless, two nights ago he said he really did not feel well at all and went to bed. He woke up at 1:00 in the morning and had significant vertigo, headache and nausea and vomiting so they did ultimately ta...

This is a report from the Traumatic Brain Injury clinic neurologist. I think it is interesting, not because of what the report says, necessarily, but because this is a neurologist I normally do not see and so it is interesting to note what his conclusion would be..."Patient seen today in the TBI clinic...in brief this is a 40 year old man who suffered an idiopathic vertebral dissection in 2008 with bilateral cerebellar infarcts and a brainstem stroke who has had a significant recovery. He continues to have a number of symptoms including limited energy and concerns as to what the future holds...Basically, I spent 60 minutes with him today explaining that the symptoms he has such as the pulsating sensation in the ear, the twitching of his eye, the tremor in his left hand, the balance difficulties, dysphagia, speech problems and fatigue are clearly residuals of the stroke....clearly he is limited as a result of the stroke." The part that was very reassuring was that, although no...

I had my 2nd of 3 Comp & Pen appointments yesterday; this one was an appointment for my general health. There were 11 areas that he needed to assess...and he actually did ask the questions (Shocker!!!). I was afforded the opportunity to explain a little more fully my daily struggles. I was able to state that the problems I have are intermittent, not continuous. For instance, the headaches I suffer are not constant, but they come and go depending on how tired I am, how stressed I am, etc. But, they are definitely stroke related because they are actual tightening of muscles that were involved in my decompressive craniotomy. I was also able to tell the Dr. that I don't have tremors all the time, but they are relatively spotty in nature; for instance, when I hold a cup of coffee in my left had, it shakes quite a bit, or when I yawn my left arm tremors and when I go to tie my shoe on my left side, my left foot shakes. But, they are not constant. He explained that, much like a seizur...

I had my optometrist appointment today; one of the first questions he asked was this: "When they first did the C&P, you mean they did not do an eye exam?" He told me after the exam that I initially had (according to my file) nerve 6 palsy; as of this morning, that nerve is 99.9% healthy. My eyes work together well, there is no evidence of muscle damage and there is no evidence of compromise in the optic nerve. I guess that is bad news for my disability, but it is very good news to know for sure that there is no damage visible (although I do have a follow up with a neurologic ophthalmologist to determine if their are deeper neurologic issues to deal with). But the one interesting tidbit of information was that he told me that they will be evaluating 11 aspects tomorrow. That is a big difference from my first C&P appointment a year ago when they, really, did no evaluation. So, we will see what transpires tomorrow.

It is the beginning of 2011 and I am no less amazed at the provision to be able to do the things that I am able to do. I do feel, however, that my energy is getting more and more diminished all the time. Last night, for instance, I had to wait in the truck as my family went did some of their shopping because I did not feel as though I had the energy to walk aimlessly through the World Store (perhaps it was just because I was bored out of my mind, but I can usually withstand boredom.) I don't know how to explain it, but I feel as though I am gradually getting tired quicker and it takes less effort to cause me to lose my energy. But, as I have said before, compared to the alternative, I feel really good. I have said before, and I will say again, that I feel pretty good for a dead guy.