Returning to Normal

After a good night's sleep it was great to wake up in my own bed.  After my normal breakfast Helen drove me to the shops to buy some groceries and then on to the kennels to pick up Louis.  He could barely contain his excitement when he saw us waiting for him  and he had been very clinging since he came home.

I spent the weekend resting and getting back to using my computer.  I had great difficulty using my laptop and have resurrected my old desktop computer with a separate key board and large display.  I have always been a hunt and peck typist and now it is worse  and I have definite blanks when typing.  I think things are improving,


On Monday I visited my GP who arranged for the continuing blood tests to stabilise my Wafrarin levels.  It will take a couple of weeks and I wont be driving until I am stable.  He said that the initial opinion from the Stroke Clinic was that my stroke was caused by the Arterial Fibrillation which I appear to be having on and off for some time.  There was some evidence of associated minor heart damage but with continued medication I should be OK

On Tuesday afternoon I was assessed by the Sunshine Coast and Cooloola Health Service  District Community Rehabilitation Team where I was assessed by Occupational Therapists,  Physiotherapists and a Speech Therapist.  Physically I am in good shape with only a very slight loss of strength on my right hand side.  I have problems with word selection but this improving.  I passed the cognition test.  The only area of concern is my emotional state which is poor due to the stress of  first, Margaret's death and then, the stroke.  Fortunately the main recommendation is that I return to my previous activites as soon as possible. 

When I can I will return to MOW with Helen as my driver.  I can start riding my bike immediately but with care not to get too tired or fall off. Finally I am to recommence giving talks at my computer club.  I have been set the goal to prepare a talk for the OH&S Therapist on the Use of Open Source Software on Personal Computers.

I will have a follow up assessment including my presentation in a couple of weeks.

All in all I have been very lucky.

I have started making arrangements to get the house and garden back in order.

I will also be monitored by the the two Bs to make sure that I regain my emotional stability.