Day 63 - More Of The Same

I think that honesty is all important in all things. This morning cleo and I spent a little time discussing the less obvious things which may have been affected by the stroke. She wanted to know what i saw as being "not right" so that she can be aware of them. Only if these minor shortcomings are pointed out can she be aware of them, and then work on improving them.

One of the main things which seems to be a fairly common effect is that of communication problems. Not the very obvious inability to speak caused by the paralysis, of which cleo has virtually recovered but the far more complex use of language, including grammar and punctuation, and in this case in the use of the written word. It may be that cleo does not "see" what she has actually typed, but rather what she "thinks" she has typed, sometimes inadvertently missing out spaces, or punctuation. This may well be something that we can work on.

The trauma of such an episode as a stroke can lead to some particularly odd and disconcerting effects. Not least of these is the highly charged emotional state that I have already mentioned before, and the resulting confusion that can be caused as a result of that emotional state. These effects are frustrating for both the victim and those around them.

It is not easy to tell someone very close to you that they may be suffering some loss of faculty, in speech or communication, or mental ability, but as I said honesty is all important, and so we talked this through carefully, and agreed that I would point these things out if i noticed them, to allow cleo the opportunity to get them right.

I should also point out that cleo has set her mind on trying to be a little more independent of us in some ways. James has given her a walking stick to try, for no other reasion than it may help if she has to move around the house on her own, although we have both agreed that she will not become dependent on aids if at all possible.

She has learned to put her shoes and socks on, although this takes about 15 minutes. More power to her for doing that I say! Of course she cannot tie shoelaces, at the moment!

It is 9 weeks since that stroke and I am still amazed at the recovery that cleo has achieved thus far, allowing for the density of the stroke she had, and the extent of the paralysis that was there in those first few days.

Since the 21st November there have been many ups and downs, many tears, and much laughter, great stress and relief too, and over the coming months I am sure there will be lots more of the same.

Bring it on!