Greetings Everyone!
This week Cheryl and I chat about her dislike for support groups and why she doesn’t want to go to them. This leads to a discussion about the level of independence that she wants to get back which is good, because it gives her some pretty sweet goals to try and accomplish!
Kick back and give it a listen. Enjoy!
After suffering from a subarachnoid hemorrhage and a severe stroke a week later, Cheryl began her jouney to rehabilitation. Now over a year and a half later, she sits down every week with her co-host and caregiver, Manny, to have a frank discussion about her struggles, her successes and what she wants her new life, post-stroke, to be.
Manny Fonseca
Diff'in Strokes 
August 23, 2015 at 2:10 pm
I’m so glad to hear about the trip to Chateau Marmont and such Wednesday, and how well it went! It’s good to hear about you all being “out and about” like in the “old” days. (I hope someday soon you all will do a Breakin’ In podcast regarding any writing related updates and what Alana has been up to lately.)
I agree that Cheryl’s speaking has gotten even better — I had no trouble understanding almost everything she said. And that’s great that she had no serious trouble with stairs this week!
(By the way, having never seen “Entourage” I’m sure glad you all explained what you meant by Ally being a “turtle”!)
And not only is it great that Cheryl is no longer “anal” about towels and such, what’s even better is that she is doing so well in her recovery that she is able to have — and articulate — the insight that being “anal” is “unnecessary stress that you put on yourself”! (How many of whose who have never had a stroke or hemorrhage understand that concept?!)
From a technical point of view it is fascinating to hear about some of the serious struggles that remain, such as her lack of being able to recognize (if I understood correctly) you in a crowd if you got separated. Of course this is sad (and a bit worrying), but the fact that she is aware of it, and has made such progress already, certainly gives hope that in time she will be able to do most of the things she can’t do now.
I agree with what Manny said when talking about the stationary bike at the gym, that her mind/body will likely be able to do things in time that it currently can’t, so keep trying things even if they didn’t work out before. From what [little] I understand this helps the brain find and build new pathways to replace those that were damaged.
Regarding the support group discussion in general, I could relate a lot to Cheryl’s statements. But I think the compromise/concept you all reach in the end is great. (As is her desire to write and read aloud a book on her experiences to help herself and others.)
Looking forward to next week’s installment!
Neal
P.S. Happy birthday Ally!
LikeLike