Recovery

 My second stroke was worse than the first.. I couldn't use my left side properly; my foot and hand dragged. I came home after a few days, having progressed to a zimmer frame, with two of them and two perching stools for the toilet. A physiotherapist turned up a few days later with better improved ones (I wasn't convinced and soon sent them back),a cushion for my chair, and a stool for my feet. Another came soon afterwards with a bath bar - to help me get in and out easily- and arranged for a second banister to help up the stairs.

I soon started to get around the house - the physiotherapist stopped me venturing into the garden - but then I fell in the bath! Another ambulance ride and a long day in the hospital but allowed home at midnight with no broken bones.

This impeded my recovery. Everything ached and my right leg was useless.

Gradually things improved. Moving round the house became easier. I started taking short walks round the block with a zimmer frame, then with my walking stick, then without. Now I just need to work on distance.

I was left for long periods while husband was at the allotment, with nothing to do. I tried to read - Very slow. I did Sudokas. My daughter had bought me an Indian colouring-in book and I started with that, then another she bought, a book of Penguin covers. It proved very slow at first but I gradually improved.

One thing I wanted to do was my knitting.I was quite worried about this. My fingers didn't respond properly at first, and I was worried I might not be able to knit; able to remember how to do it, but not has the dexterity or remember how. It was another thing which was slow at first but which got quicker with practice and I eventually finished my cardigan and started another.

 

I know of people who are a lot worse than me, but things are looking up and progressing in the right direction. Now I just need to persuade my husband to take a holiday ...