Category Archives: Stroke

Mr. Personality

January 14, 2013Mental Health, Rehab, Strokericky

[I hope you enjoyed last week’s post inspired by The Myth of Sisyphus, and were not disappointed, like the reader who misread it as The Myth of Syphilis (or, The World’s Most Absurde Excuse for not Wearing a Condom). I have a vision, now, of a rakish intellectual lounging on la rive gauche, writing such a treatise. Maybe la rive gauche de la Gowanus….]

I remember, as a younger man, or, more, likely, a teenager — because teenagers are given to Deep Thoughts — hearing friends tell of how their outlook on, or approach to, life had radically changed at a particular age. Continue reading Mr. Personality →

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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Stroke Patient

January 7, 2013Rehab, Strokericky

This Sunday was a pretty quiet day. As Sundays should be. Beth was a little under the weather in the morning, so, for once, I got to be the doting partner. Wouldn’t wish a stroke on you, Honey, but that was nice. We spent a good part of the early afternoon daydreaming about the next post-recovery steps in our relationship. That’s important for a couple recovering from a stroke, I think. The dreams and aspirations that can do so much to sustain a relationship can be drowned in the blood, shit and snotters of the harsh reality of a stroke, and it’s good to remember from time to time that a partnership is for better, as well as for worse. Day trips to St. Kilda and flowers, as much as puncture wounds to the groin and angiograms. Continue reading Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Stroke Patient →

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Rip It Up

December 27, 2012Aphasia, Great British Strokes, Home Care, Pop Music, Strokericky

[N.B.: This post discusses post-stroke depression and crying, as well as the inspiration to be received from the music of Edwyn Collins. Depression is very common in both stroke survivors and their carers. (Post-stroke depression (PSD) has been reported in not less than 30% and up to 50% of all stroke survivors (Robinson, 1998; DH, 2007a). The prevalence of PSD peaks at six months after stroke.) If you think you or your family/carer may be affected by this issue, please help your recovery by going to your doctor. The National Stroke Association has also published an excellent fact sheet on coping with emotions after stroke, which I’d also suggest you look at if this is an issue for you.] Continue reading Rip It Up →

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The Hypertension Tolerance Test

December 20, 2012Home Care, Rehab, Strokericky

Although when I was taken to Methodist, Beth correctly indicated my religious preference as “atheist” (and if you can’t back it up on your near-death bed, what kind of a rubbish atheist are you?), I’ve always thought that any given piece of writing can’t have enough biblical text in in it. I even whipped out 1 Corinthians 13:13 to send in a text while I was in rehab at the Hospital for Joint Disease. Today’s text is, “Physician, heal thyself.” (Luke 4:23) Continue reading The Hypertension Tolerance Test →

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Three Short Posts About Hemorrhagic Strokes

December 17, 2012Rehab, Strokericky

This post is a tribute to François Girard and Don McKellar’s Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould. Admittedly, I’ve never seen it, so the tribute aspect will be necessarily loose. Continue reading Three Short Posts About Hemorrhagic Strokes →

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Being a Man Again: Strokes, Power Tools and James Bond.

December 14, 2012Home Care, Rehab, Strokericky

So, last night, I took on a big project. Sorting out winter clothes, random clothing rearrangement, and hanging an uber-mod hook from the wall for hanging scarves. All while Beth took a well-deserved break at yoga, so there were to be no falls or putting a screw through one’s hand. Continue reading Being a Man Again: Strokes, Power Tools and James Bond. →

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Updates Mondays and Thursdays / Young Stroke Team

December 13, 2012Blog News, Death, Rehab, Strokericky

So, apoplectic.me went public to friends and family on Monday — or, at least, those whose e-mail addresses were readily accessible — and the early responses have been very lovely and encouraging. Please do keep those comments coming — it’ll motivate me keep up with the planned twice-weekly updates on Mondays and Thursdays. In the meantime, let’s talk about skinny, funny, well-accessorized young stroke patients with good ink. Continue reading Updates Mondays and Thursdays / Young Stroke Team →

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Rehabilitation by Ambush – Part 2

December 10, 2012Home Care, Strokericky

[The phyisical therapist has departed and I’ve completed accidental occupational therapy….] Continue reading Rehabilitation by Ambush – Part 2 →

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The Jerky Boys set up my Appointment

December 10, 2012Home Care, Strokericky

Now, I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this before, but the symptoms stroke patients suffer include memory lapses, confusion, mobility issues, and rage (and particularly, confusion regarding the use of the oxford comma). Unfortunately, every fucking idiot out there who deserves to die seems to disregard these issues, as the past couple of days amply illustrate. Continue reading The Jerky Boys set up my Appointment →

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A Stroke Patient Walks into a Bar, and Can’t Have Anything, on Doctor’s Orders

December 7, 2012Blog News, Strokericky

Welcome to Apoplectic Me, a blog about my hemorrhagic stroke and the resulting brain surgery, treatment, hospital stay, rehabilitation, return home and recovery. I hope you’ll find this is a place you can come to feel less alone, and more amused, in the wake of a stroke, whether your own, or that of a loved one. The aftermath of my stroke was often bleak, painful and horrible, and I wouldn’t wish one on anyone, but it’s also been full of love, friendship, kindness and opening doors…. Continue reading A Stroke Patient Walks into a Bar, and Can’t Have Anything, on Doctor’s Orders →

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