tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192087922012-02-16T19:25:39.030ZOn monday 21st November 2005 my partner cleo had a stroke. Since then we are bashing our heads against all the problems of rehabilitation and care that most people never encounter.This blog will be a record of our road to recovery and the thoughts I have along the way.....MGnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-50518523418891691442008-09-09T01:42:00.004+01:002008-09-09T02:29:55.774+01:00

I was moved to read some of this blog myself today: I will explain why in a moment, but as a result, i think it may be time for some more entries.First, an update on cleo. She is fine! not much has changed in her physical capabilities since i last blogged, but she continues to adapt well to the very physical limitations her paralysis has placed on her. She moves well enough, albeit a little

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-77954048956125224742008-01-20T02:05:00.000Z2008-01-20T02:12:11.340Z

cleo continues to progress, albeit slowly, but I have decided to start writing this blog again as there are a number of developments that should be recorded and reported as part of this diary.Firstly: cleo is driving again. We applied some time ago for her driving licence to be reinstated, and after filling out the DVLA forms and jumping through various medical hoops we received her new licence.

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-26903919130361561152007-03-04T23:34:00.000Z2007-03-05T00:07:00.634Z

Just by way of an update for the anonymous comment received yesterday about cleo's progress.You are probably right, in that we continue to live life. We are looking forward to our next review with james in just over a month's time, and hopefully he will see improvements in cleo since last time.To help her on the way, we have just bought a new piece of equipment that we hope will aid her walk by

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1158837030857691192006-09-21T12:10:00.000+01:002006-09-21T13:32:07.330+01:00

I don't know quite what made me come here today, but i was reading the Different Stroke site and over the last few days, you get to thinking about this and that, some the upside, some the down, you know how it is.You can't alway be up, and i still sometimes have those "why me?" moments, but they dont seem to last long. However, i would like to take the time to let you dear readers know how i

cleohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10580364526305374690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1156450998455793402006-08-24T21:00:00.000+01:002006-08-24T21:23:18.633+01:00

Since my last entry cleo has settled very well into her regime of treadmill exercises and leg stretches; and on one day recently, for reasons we won't go into here, rather than walk the treadmill for 5 minutes she did 10!While improvements are less easy to see now, because each day they are so small they are there, and as always suddenly we notice something different that really could be

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1155162542321644212006-08-09T23:11:00.000+01:002006-08-09T23:30:10.253+01:00

Our meeting with James last week proved extremely helpful, and while he agrees that continued physio with him may not be of much benefit, exercises and time will continue to help cleo's rehabilitation.So, with that in mind we have started out with a regime designed by James which should help to improve cleo's walking, and leg strength, as well as her balance and muscle tone. James is never one to

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1154566386678346232006-08-03T01:28:00.000+01:002006-08-03T02:19:57.593+01:00

Firstly I must apologise for not adding reports on the Road to Recovery over the last three weeks. This post is prompted for 2 reasons: firstly that I needed to update those who read the blog, because I have been lax of late in adding entries, due to our busy schedule as cleo continues to improve, and secondly because of the anonymous comment left here this morning which of course anyone can read

MGnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1152745861491142722006-07-12T22:32:00.000+01:002006-07-20T23:55:14.913+01:00

When fighting against any kind of adversity it's often important to try and find some positives. Now, whether these are physical, mental, or simply diversions to distract us they can all help to lessen the burden which we carry.Of course the heaviest burden in our lives is carried by cleo herself who has to deal with the actual physical and mental effects of her stroke. For those of us who have

MGnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1152225882371699552006-07-06T22:22:00.000+01:002006-07-07T00:25:53.473+01:00

While James is on honeymoon (he got married last weekend)it's important that cleo continues to work on her walking, and the treadmill which we bought has come into it's own this last week. Cleo is working almost daily on it, and I am convinced that her walk is improving as a result. While sahe walks in the very controlled way that the treadmill creates it enables her to focus on the rhythm of her

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1151528233442650592006-06-28T21:47:00.000+01:002006-06-28T21:57:13.460+01:00

The last week has seen us back to the normality of daily life, and while that must all go on, we have also decided to begin a slightly new chapter in cleo's rehabilitation. James cannot be cleo's physotherapist for the rest of her life and so we have to be even more pro-active regarding her continued recovery. Perhaps in the future a six-monthly review with James will be more sensible but

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1150981322653080942006-06-22T13:54:00.000+01:002006-06-28T21:47:22.483+01:00

Wow! what a day!Our week prior to the 21st was filled with last minute preparations and organising for the handfasting. While there was also the usual mundane stuff like work, kids at school (including Sarah doing her A-level examinations) there were also lots of little things that were needed to make the handfasting go smoothly.Knowing that we would have little time this week, James pushed cleo

MGnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1150243875106837692006-06-14T00:46:00.000+01:002006-06-14T01:11:15.120+01:00

While we haven't blogged quite as much lately because I guess we don't want to bore you all with the "same old same old", as it were, something of note happened this week, which is more than worth reporting here.I have spoken before about how the progress of recovery is measured in many ways, and often the most important of those things can be missed amongst the whole flood of little things that

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1149810826273001182006-06-08T23:35:00.000+01:002006-06-09T00:53:46.386+01:00

WE have not managed to post for a week, due to all kinds of reasons, but mainly that after the weekend our router at home failed and we had to wait to get a replacement. That in itself is a story, and for those of you who have had any dealings with BT (British Telecommunications) in the UK you will know just how frustrating that has been. Most of the time I have spent on the phone (several hours

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1149023913088434102006-05-30T19:43:00.000+01:002006-05-30T22:19:57.970+01:00

CLEO had spoken previously about getting a small electric scooter to help with shopping (as mentioned in the blog here a couple of weeks ago). Well, today we went to a different shop to get some groceries and this particular shop has them for the use of disabled customers. We duly acquired one and it placed a whole new slant on shopping.The one thing cleo dislikes about being in the wheelchair is

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1148675438884639822006-05-26T21:29:00.000+01:002006-05-27T07:35:58.373+01:00

Once before quite a long time ago James attempted to use a Tens machine on me to stimulate some muscle action in my leg. At that time I couldn’t feel anything so we gave that up as a bad job but today we tried once again. It was so odd to see my big toe "twitch" to the pulse of the machine. James had to admit he didn’t know why the toe moved as he was attempting to make the ankle flex but it is

cleohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10580364526305374690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1148425635374737902006-05-24T00:06:00.000+01:002006-05-24T00:08:12.626+01:00

There were nights when the wind was so coldThat my body froze in bedIf I just listened to itRight outside the windowThere were days when the sun was so cruelThat all the tears turned to dustAnd I just knew my eyes wereDrying up foreverI finished crying in the instant that you leftAnd I can't remember where or when or howAnd I banished every memory you and I had ever madeBut when you touch me like

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1148406199571670762006-05-23T17:43:00.000+01:002006-05-24T10:07:46.573+01:00

The day is rapidly approach for the handfasting, and we are busy busy with the arrangements.The final touches are all coming together; we are so looking forward to seeing some old friends and some new ones too. A few practicalities have to be dealt with: walking up the aisle on grass in a long gown might prove to be a little obstacle to overcome, as well as the ring on my left hand. We think it

cleohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10580364526305374690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1147906138294149622006-05-17T23:45:00.000+01:002006-05-17T23:48:58.313+01:00

In light of cleo's post, I thought i would add some lyrics, which I have not done for a while....Silver liningYou're everywhere and no-where baby,That's where you're at,Going down a bumpy hillside,In your hippy hat.Flying across the country,And getting fat,Saying everything is groovy,When your tyres are flat,And it's(Chorus)Hi-ho silver lining,Anywhere you go now baby,I see your sun is shining,

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1147896190160699772006-05-17T20:29:00.000+01:002006-05-17T23:42:19.440+01:00

i have to say here and now, dont get me wrong, it not about "a higher power" or anything like that, but i had a realisation this last few days regarding my situation. It goes something like this:i am not anything special; i may be an inspiration to some (so i am told) but believe me, i certainly am not anything special, i just try to make the best of what i have, for me and mine.However i have

cleohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10580364526305374690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1147731912994938072006-05-15T22:00:00.000+01:002006-05-16T00:34:25.013+01:00

Sometimes the biggest steps that are taken along the Road to Recovery go almost unnoticed. You don't realise that such progress has been made until it has actually happened. This last couple of days have been a little like that, for two reasons.Naturally the weekend when I am at work every night doesn't leave us much time to be together but that does afford cleo some time to be with the girls

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1147376074317030372006-05-11T20:11:00.000+01:002006-05-11T20:37:14.820+01:00

There are many kinds of therapy involved in the rehabilitation of patients from stroke: there is occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, language therapy and many others provided by the healthcare professionals. All these have a greater or lesser effect on the recovery from the stroke depending on the person involved and the severity and kind of stroke which occurred.In cleo's case

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1147161688307240592006-05-09T08:40:00.000+01:002006-05-09T09:45:15.773+01:00

In reply to yesterday's comment as to whether the health care professionals involved in my rehabilitation have been given the opportunity to read this blog. The answer is very much so, in fact even members of the elusive CART team, as well as James of course, and the Matron of the stroke ward I was admitted to have all read it at some time in the last few months.Ann Lewis from the Stroke

cleohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10580364526305374690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1146965232374415762006-05-07T02:02:00.000+01:002006-05-07T02:27:12.520+01:00

We have been busy this last few days sorting some arrangements for the handfasting in june, as well as sorting monthly bills and all that horrible stuff that goes on regardless.Cleo and I talked at some length about the way forward and the fact that we are becoming more "comfortable" with her inability to do certain things. Nothing is insurmountable and the simplest of achievements promotes huge

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1146679601671452772006-05-03T18:56:00.000+01:002006-05-03T23:58:06.360+01:00

This week has been rather hectic in that first my pc at home decided it had had enough! It started by becoming very temperamental in its starting, and finally gave up the ghost. A call to Dell promised an engineer to come and replace the hard drive today and so it was. This has meant hours of replacing and copying files to return the pc to its original state, but most of that is done now I think.

cleohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10580364526305374690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1146282122779120342006-04-29T04:19:00.000+01:002006-04-29T04:42:02.796+01:00

CLEO faced Thursday with some trepidation. We had her appointment at the chirpodist booked, and she was very worried that the whole thing was going to be painful and traumatic. Funny really that someone who has been through what she has this last few months might find a chiropodist frightening.Anyway, we arrived at the place to be met by a wonderful lady who sorted cleo's toenail in a few minutes

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1146092056801066152006-04-26T23:22:00.000+01:002006-04-26T23:59:13.223+01:00

Physio with James was interesting today.In an effort to keep cleo's interest (James' words) he continually comes up with new exercises and new movements for her to try. Each one is aimed at enabling her to "recruit" specific muscles. However quantity (in terms of the number of different exercises) is not always the answer, quality can be just as important. Now, we have accepted some time ago that

MGnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1146009843212464242006-04-26T00:34:00.000+01:002006-04-26T01:06:09.283+01:00

Almost every site I read about stroke recovery has mention somewhere in it about good and bad days. Of course that is something which, if you take time to think about it, is bound to happen. When they do happen though, the bad days often take you a little by surprise. They even take cleo that way too, because she (often) doesn't expect them either, and the very nature of the bad day is that it's

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1145570955450430392006-04-20T22:36:00.000+01:002006-04-20T23:09:15.543+01:00

No physio today, as is often the case on Thursdays. James tends to be too busy. So it was a quiet morning at home. This afternoon we had to go to Hannah's school to see her teacher, for a parent/teacher's day. They had made special arrangements to see us because of cleo's need to be in the wheelchair.I have said many times in this blog how well the girls have coped with the whole episode of the

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1145490230318517712006-04-20T00:37:00.000+01:002006-04-20T00:45:40.993+01:00

We had a good physio session with James today, cleo really pushed herself, and I was so pleased to note that there seemed little of the emotional down left from yesterday. I think James was too! He has given cleo some arm exercises to continue working with in her own time, and I am sure she will get something from those.Other than that, its 150 days since the stroke. Now, in the overall scheme of

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1145402484531736922006-04-18T23:35:00.000+01:002006-04-19T00:21:24.636+01:00

However well we know, or think we know someone, they will always surprise us. Today was an example of that. A while ago, cleo seemed to come to terms with the adaptability idea, that is, to adapt and use what movement she had in her arm and try to harness that in a controlled way.In physio this morning James was working on her shoulder and arm, and all of a sudden there were tears. It was almost

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1145314795243325332006-04-17T23:54:00.000+01:002006-04-17T23:59:55.260+01:00

Another weekend over, and today was a bank holiday. Tomorrow the girls are back to school after the Easter Holidays and we will have some time together alone.Mind you I have a visit to the dentist tomorrow, so it's not all fun!We are supposed to see James too, but the time clashes with my dentist; we are going to have to try and reschedule the hospital if we can. cleo seems well enough, although

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1145147034810534042006-04-16T01:11:00.000+01:002006-04-16T15:10:18.416+01:00

As with many of the strides forward that cleo has made since leaving hospital, the most significant ones often happen as a matter of course, and it's only afterwards that we realise the importance of each one.Saturdays of course I get home from work in the morning and have to sleep. Cleo woke me this afternoon and proudly told me she had cooked her own breakfast today: bacon and eggs. I could

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1144971771139768192006-04-14T00:29:00.000+01:002006-04-14T00:42:51.153+01:00

It's funny how one's perception can suddenly change, or be changed by another.James has a poster on his wall which says something like "Healing goes at it's own pace. Your body knows whats right for you"Last night when we went to dinner cleo had the opportunity to get dressed up, new clothes which we had bought for her, and she looked great. I put that down to the positive mental attitude, but

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1144884116294463312006-04-13T00:07:00.000+01:002006-04-13T00:21:56.310+01:00

James was very upbeat today in physio; he has really taken to heart the idea of adapting and improving what is actually there rather than striving for something which may never appear. He is working mostly on cleo's arm and hand, and leaving us to work on her walking with our treadmill at home. Of course if we have any questions relating to walking he will always help and advise, but he seems to

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1144792614687824212006-04-11T22:30:00.000+01:002006-04-11T22:59:52.686+01:00

Sometimes we react to people based on what we see and hear. How they present themselves to us is a driving force in our own perception of them, what they are, and what they do. Today was very much a case in point. We have to connect with people to understand them.Firstly we had our appointment with the consultant, but more of that later, and immediately following the appointment we saw James for

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1144554964278542032006-04-09T04:39:00.000+01:002006-04-10T23:42:39.020+01:00

Coming to terms with stroke is in many ways like grieving: there is a sense of loss, on a very personal level, and as Ann Lewis says, once you can come to terms with that loss, and wake up each day looking forward and not thinking about what was, or might have been, then you can really begin to move forward. I am not sure that within the emotional creatures which we humans are, there is the

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1144351436554749632006-04-06T19:57:00.000+01:002006-04-09T04:39:22.003+01:00

Back to see James this afternoon, and he was pleased that cleo's arm and hand still retained its suppleness, and that her arm had improved in the way that she holds it. Sometimes of course it's good to have a break from seeing someone because that way one is better equipped to notice changes and improvements that on a daily basis we may not notice.We also asked james about his thoughts on his

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1144275104934209302006-04-05T22:04:00.000+01:002006-04-05T23:11:45.170+01:00

Today of course we were supposed to return to the hospital to see james. He called us at lunchtime, sounding very ill, saying he was going home as he had a chest infection. From what cleo said (she spoke to him, I didn't) he sounded awful. We have provisionally arranged to go tomorrow but we will have to wait and see if james is any better tomorrow. Today cleo remarked (and not for the first time

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1144186816167436362006-04-04T10:09:00.000+01:002006-04-04T22:40:16.316+01:00

Another weekend out of the way, and little to say about that.Today we had one of our regular visits from Ann Lewis, of the Stroke Association . Sometimes it helps for good common sense and advice to come from those not actually involved in ones care, and who are not family. Since the moment we first met Ann she has been informative, supportive and like us, straight talking. She offers good down

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1143848161694193352006-04-01T00:18:00.000+01:002006-04-01T00:41:03.086+01:00

Today was special for 2 reasons.Firstly, Sarah celebrated her 18th birthday today. We both wish her a wonderful birthday and a great year ahead. I know that a number of times over the last few months cleo has thought that she might not be around to see her daughter come of age. It is interesting to note though that those rather darker moods have occurred less and less of late. This again is a

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1143793500076458462006-03-31T09:19:00.000+01:002006-03-31T09:25:00.110+01:00

Cleo has commented several times in this blog since she has been home.However, as she is the most important one here, I felt it made sense for her to become a contributor. Hence she is now a "member" of this writing team. I will continue to write my daily pieces, but cleo may well comment on those, or other things which she feels need to be said.It is as a direct result of the comment from Dr

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1143790285769922612006-03-31T08:25:00.000+01:002006-03-31T20:17:39.663+01:00

Please rest assured that nothing we do, is done lightly; we are merely pro-active within my rehab.Im going to say this now because i have thought it many times: had the rambling NHS been proactive i wouldn't now be in this situation. Had my GP been pro-active for the last ten years i might have avoided this entire episode, but such is life! Now we have to take some control as the NHS can’t or won

cleohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10580364526305374690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1143759982715554792006-03-30T22:58:00.000+01:002006-03-31T18:41:57.233+01:00

Melanie made her last visit before her holiday today, as she is away now for a couple of weeks, but has agreed to contact us again on her return so that she can follow up with more manipulation if required depending on James' workload.Of course this means that until 5th April it is up to us to do the manipulation, as we don't see James until then. The referral made to the DART team (Emma was

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1143675570806663732006-03-30T00:11:00.000+01:002006-03-30T00:39:30.883+01:00

To achieve good results in anything you have to cover all the angles. You need to think of all contingencies, and all the possibilities that may affect, and have an effect on, what you are doing. After discussing at length cleo's "epiphany" of yesterday, I am convinced that while her focus must be on improving, controlling, and re-learning those things which will give her back better control of

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1143576884259645972006-03-28T20:48:00.000+01:002006-03-29T00:45:57.646+01:00

No, not the religious meaning.In more general terms an epiphany can be thought of as a feeling of "clarity", or to mean acquiring a sudden comprehension, a sudden realisation of truth. CLEO had that today. All our thoughts and especially cleo's over the last few months have led us to an acceptance that she will likely not recover the use of her arm and hand. Indeed I have said as much in this

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1143502873036147372006-03-27T20:45:00.000+01:002006-03-28T00:46:53.570+01:00

Another weekend over, and as I suggested previously, rather than write the same thing over and over about the weekends I have left this entry until Monday evening.Sometimes we all need to feel some self pity: dealing with unusual situations, or new experiences can be both trying and very difficult. In cleo's case there are times when she asks of herself the question "Why Me?". I don't blame her

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1143158266389257322006-03-23T23:03:00.000Z2006-03-24T00:02:26.120Z

This morning saw the trip to the hairdressers, and the picture on the left is the result. CLEO's hair was beautifully lightened and cut, and I am sure she feels much better as a result. We had one slight wobble beforehand, in that because one effect of her stroke has been to make her slightly less confident than she was before, there was a moment when she really didn't want to go, because she

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1143073480241248742006-03-22T23:36:00.000Z2006-03-23T00:25:33.733Z

It's quite funny how cleo and I often think the same thing, at almost the same time. This afternoon, after physio at home (more of that later) we were driving to do some shopping, and cleo said to me "Should I walk round the shop?". That was wierd because i had been thinking too that the shop we were going to was not too big, and it might be easier than getting the wheelchair out the car.So, we

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1142980010801184212006-03-21T20:59:00.000Z2006-03-21T22:26:50.980Z

WELL, wonder of wonders!Those old aliens have relented! Had a call this morning from Melanie, the home physio. Mohammed has come up with some new exercises, and Melanie is coming tomorrow to start the new physio regime. Quite what that will involve we don't know of course, but I suppose we have to have an open mind.As well as all that, cleo had her nails done again today, and came away from the

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1142897125635475552006-03-20T23:19:00.000Z2006-03-20T23:35:21.216Z

After the weekend, and some sleep, Monday became a sort of nothing day, but that was to be expected with no physio to go to. CLEO's arm and hand (especially her fingers) were quite stiff, and a little swollen.I spent a short while manipulating her hand this evening, and then Hannah took over for a while too. We do have to be consistent about doing something every day on the hand and arm, because

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1142739029555359292006-03-19T03:16:00.000Z2006-03-31T08:18:56.203+01:00

We all have to face our own personal demons at certain times in our lives. However illogical or silly those fears may seem when you examine them in the cold light of day, they are very real when there is nobody there to help drive them away.Of course, weekends for us revolve around me being at work, and the few hours each day when I am at home I am mostly asleep. CLEO seems to be having one of

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1142550788211173152006-03-16T22:22:00.000Z2006-03-17T14:16:43.843Z

James actually managed to contact Mohammed today (intergalactic communication devices are improving every day!) who, when asked about the possibility of providing manipulation for cleo's arm and hand, rather than simple physiotherapy replied " We don't do manipulation". Seems a little odd to me....However, Melanie is going to come along next week (quite when we don't know yet) and "try" some

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1142463464724021102006-03-15T22:41:00.000Z2006-03-16T00:18:37.366Z

They're at it again!Those aliens have nicked the care team for a second time. The care team seem to have disappeared into outer space again. James doesn't seem to be able to get through to Mohammed, and so we are left with a completely ridiculous situation: two weeks ago we told Mohammed that James was not available for cleo's physio from next Monday, and they have so far not managed to get their

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1142380236161669652006-03-14T23:13:00.000Z2006-03-14T23:50:36.320Z

CLEO was so tired today. I am not sure quite why, but she seemed totally drained, with no energy. I know that tiredness can be a real factor in recovery from things like stroke, but today she just seemed so "out of sorts", not her usual self.More and more we are becoming accepting of the reality that her arm and hand may not recover at all, and perhaps the realisation of this was getting her down

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1142301699789512202006-03-14T01:46:00.000Z2006-03-14T02:01:39.810Z

After work this weekend cleo and I spent some time this morning over breakfast talking about the idea of adaptability vs. improvement. Although each is significantly different in the way that they function, the end result is geared to moving in the same direction: moving towards recovery and away from stroke. It really doesn't matter how we get there, as long as we do.Physio this afternoon with

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1142214846706206412006-03-13T01:16:00.000Z2006-03-13T01:55:24.896Z

Without an adequate net connection (thankfully restored this evening) I have been unable to report here this weekend.Having said that I am not too sure quite what I would have written anyway as the weekend, like many of late, has merged into one long round of sleep and work.CLEO continues, in my view, to improve daily. Her ability to adapt is excellent, and I often ask myself whether she is

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1142069425879741072006-03-11T09:28:00.000Z2006-03-11T09:31:22.216Z

Due to there being no internet connection at work this weekend. i shall catch up with the blog once weekend is over:watch this space.

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141951184257961082006-03-10T00:31:00.000Z2006-03-10T00:39:44.273Z

Just another day, which in itself is good. Today we had no physio to go to, and not much else to do, apart from laze around at home. And that's what we did. The fact that we could do this sort of thing tells me that we are getting closer to normality than we have before. Of course cleo still gets tired, and went for a sleep this afternoon, but, unlike previously she managed to stay up till

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141864567645749382006-03-09T00:16:00.000Z2006-03-09T00:36:07.666Z

Try walking along the road, it's all about rhythm. Once you start moving your whole body is working in time, and that includes legs, arms, trunk etc. A walk happens in pairs of steps, of slightly unequal timing because we each favour a particular side (try it) , but in rhythm nonetheless. Left..right/Left..right etc. To march in perfect time is NOT a natural walk. So if you can establish a rhythm

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141772169114151392006-03-07T21:48:00.000Z2006-03-08T00:37:25.986Z

I have to admit that sometimes, not often, just occasionally, it all gets a little too much. Not one thing in particular, just a culmination of all the pressures and stresses under which we all, me, cleo and the girls are living right now. Most of the time if its only cleo, or me, the other will pull them out of it, and it is not too much of a problem.Today, however, cleo was not feeling too well

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141688646550944142006-03-06T22:41:00.000Z2006-03-06T23:45:07.093Z

This morning James really pushed cleo hard, working on her shoulder and arm. He is pleased that her hand remains flexible, even after the weekend when he has not seen her since Thursday last. He suggests this is a good sign.He worked on her shoulder mobility, and is keen to promote closure of the "gap" which has opened between the top of the humerus bone and the shoulder joint face. This is a

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141613069918513002006-03-06T02:14:00.000Z2006-03-06T02:44:29.990Z

Sunday's drive home concluded with a cup of tea made by cleo. She was up and about when I got home and tea was ready.This week we are looking forward to contact with the physiotherapist from the care team, and two weeks or so to get a routine going before we have the break from James at the hospital. We will also make sure that cleo continues her own exercises at home as provided by James so that

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141526896459176512006-03-05T02:31:00.000Z2006-03-05T04:21:23.353Z

CLEO is normally awake early, and so on my way home this morning from work I waited till I was about 10 minutes from home, and sent her a text saying "Tea please, 10 minutes". I guessed that she would be awake and likely up and about.Wrong!Arriving through the front door I could hear her in the kitchen, and when I walked into the room there she was all flustered, with only a dressing gown half on

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141435801420971652006-03-03T22:51:00.000Z2006-03-04T03:00:33.210Z

WE had the visit from Mohammed this morning , and I have to say that if the promised physio goes as smoothly then there will be few problems. We outlined our hopes, and the concerns we had that cleo would not be seeing james for a couple of weeks at the end of the monbth, and the main goal we had was that the physio provided by the care team (as yet we do not know who the therapist will be)

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141341710696531032006-03-02T22:18:00.000Z2006-03-03T22:51:12.516Z

CLEO continues to make progress; she can on occasion, when not too tired, actually walk down our stairs. We have as I have said before, made good progress ourselves in all aspects of managing our daily lives, in terms of developing ways to do things which work for us. Luckily we are able to adapt to the needs we (cleo, me and the girls) all have. Many would not be so lucky, in that I am here

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141260575073098262006-03-02T00:29:00.000Z2006-03-02T00:54:36.290Z

ome years ago I was tasked with setting up a quality system for a company where I worked. Now, an integral part of that kind of framework is the idea of Continuous Improvement. Based on the premise that whatever you have today (whether it be a process, service, or whatever) it can likely be bettered by examining, rethinking, questioning, and developing what you do and how you do it. In the case

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141171178569595012006-02-28T23:31:00.000Z2006-02-28T23:59:38.646Z

100 days gone, and as I have so often said sometimes the time seems to have flown by and other times it seems to have been forever. What I do know is that since 21st November, cleo and I are closer, and more in love than we were then, if that's possible.Apart from all the medical stuff, so much else has happened, particularly us getting married of course, which is about the biggest thing in my

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141087413415130522006-02-28T00:25:00.000Z2006-02-28T00:43:33.546Z

Sleep is the best healer, so they say. And I think I have to agree that it's true.Having slept a good deal of yesterday, and most of last night, cleo woke this morning much refreshed. We had to cancel our physio with James because we had no car, but that was no problem. By lunchtime today, when I went to collect my car from the garage, cleo again went to bed to rest and slept again till about

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1141002313259065702006-02-27T00:51:00.000Z2006-02-27T12:16:31.153Z

Not an anger boiling point, as you may have imagined, but an overheating one. On my way home from work this morning cleo's car started to overheat, quite badly. I stopped at the services on the M2, and decided to call the recovery people. The head gasket had blown (for those who don't know this is major breakdown, and one that requires dismantling part of the engine to repair) and the car was a

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140899781623490662006-02-25T20:16:00.000Z2006-02-25T20:50:43.896Z

Arriving home this morning after driving to and from work in cleo's car, which is far too small for me to fit into comfortably and for the journey which I do, as mine is in the garage, and hers being a manual gearchange too, without cruise control (no cruise=major trauma) I found cleo already up, and in the kitchen having a tidy up.It is certainly good that she has the drive to get up and do

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140825040875251462006-02-24T23:26:00.000Z2006-02-25T20:16:41.536Z

I have to report that as another week passes the care team are still being held hostage by aliens, because they have not been in touch; must be some fiendish experiment they are undergoing!CLEO and I had a real heart to heart last night (well early this morning actually) after I had written yesterdays blog. I shall not go into the details except to say it became emotional, and we made some

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140741837780084612006-02-23T22:36:00.000Z2006-02-24T00:48:23.933Z

CLEO is no doubt improving every day. Her determination and strength are shining examples to anyone who may have suffered a similar illness, that if you have enough focus and desire, pretty much anything can be overcome. Of course this is not all plain sailing. It is impossible to concentrate one's efforts continually for 24 hours every day. When that focus becomes a little blurred, then there

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140654087671203152006-02-23T00:01:00.000Z2006-02-23T00:54:53.940Z

I think that apart from Emily, everyone on the home care team must be called Percy Blakeney. "Who was he?" I hear you say; "The Scarlet Pimpernell" I reply. They are just not to to be found anywhere, and even James seems to have lost touch with them. Either that or they have all been abducted by aliens and are even as we speak subject to some horrific experiments in deep space. Personally I think

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140559752899072512006-02-21T21:49:00.000Z2006-02-21T23:55:33.790Z

After yesterday's rather bad day, mentally and emotionally, cleo seemed far more upbeat today, and was up early. The tiredness she feels that causes her to be in bed early has in a way moved her waking hours somewhat, in that she goes to bed early, gets up early and then is tired again by the evening. However today she was more tired than usual, but there was a good reason for that: this morning

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140473620215840102006-02-20T21:46:00.000Z2006-02-20T23:26:33.286Z

It's odd how one's attitude can change over time, even a few short weeks. James told us, when we were only a few weeks into the the recovery time that on average, post stroke recovery continues up to about 90 days post stroke. At that time we were only some 40 odd days into the rehabilitation, and 90 days seemed a long way off. Of course 90 days has come along and cleo must have had that in her

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140397803850577712006-02-20T00:43:00.000Z2006-02-20T01:10:16.940Z

How times flies. Three months since the stroke, and I can't even begin to assimilate all the changes that have happened, from those initial moments of fright, the tears, the worry, the laughter and so many other emotions too.Right now, after the wedding we are on a high of course, and the comfort that our marriage brings both of us will continue. In a sense, after all that has gone before we are

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140301465575367202006-02-18T21:55:00.000Z2006-02-19T06:04:30.043Z

As always weekends are hard work, because of being apart. As I have said recently though, I am far more comfortable with my cleo being at home as she is developing a bit more independence regards moving around the house.cleo has been working on a design for a web page invite for the handfasting, and that should be ready soon; keep an eye on your e-mail inboxes folks!There is not that much to say

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140229905983565372006-02-18T02:06:00.000Z2006-02-18T02:31:46.066Z

WE scheduled cleo's physiotherapy early for today, because of my work this evening. Arriving at the hospital at 9.30 am James decided to work on cleos hip and leg stability today. This entailed such exercises and stepping up and down blocks, walking sideways, and maintainign control of the left leg in difficult movements. However, never one to be satisfied James also spent a deal of time working

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140130230271090252006-02-16T22:17:00.000Z2006-02-16T22:59:28.873Z

Physio today with james was spent working on extending cleo's wrist and elbow, to stretch the muscles and to create some more flexibility. James is pleased that the arm has not tightened up too much these last couple of days, and will continue to work on it in the future. I just know that he is going to eventually get a response from cleo's arm or hand.We also spoke with James about goal setting

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140088248572141402006-02-16T11:09:00.000Z2006-02-16T11:10:48.590Z

Well, here we are, 48 hours married and....its good!

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1140049128994208152006-02-15T23:11:00.000Z2006-02-16T00:30:44.943Z

Afetr all the emotion and excitement of yesterday, we awoke after a less than perfect night's sleep, both still tired, although I am not sure we would admit that.The girls were staying at a hotel with their uncle last night, and they arrived home about 10am. I had to return the hired suits and cake stand, and the house needed a tidy up.James at physio this afternoon was surprised, after the

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139942398254614882006-02-14T18:29:00.000Z2006-02-16T09:03:30.780Z

Big day today.We were all up early, rushing round like you do, the girls fighting to get in the shower, and breakfast all cooked and eaten before 9am. Rose came round to do the girls', and cleo's hair and worked her magic on Hannah and Sarah, and then on cleo too.With people coming and going in the house this morning, it was mayhem most of the time, and a few stressed moments were in there too,

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139901333032685882006-02-14T06:55:00.000Z2006-02-14T18:33:58.536Z

Well, as i know MG's log in, and as he didn't blog last night but mainly because today is our wedding day and that this man whom i am about to marry get so little recognition for all he has done for me, i am creeping in here while he sleeps to say my bit for once.With all my heart i love him, today yes we have to do this legal bit but we don't need a piece of paper to say we love one another, we

MGnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139797186141961842006-02-13T02:10:00.000Z2006-02-13T02:19:46.170Z

I am not going to write the same old thing again tonight.. sleep, work, boring, except to say that of course it's 12 weeks since cleo had the stroke, and as I have said before, sometimes it seems an age, and other times it has gone so fast. Our lives have totally changed since then, in many ways.Simply want to add that its two days till we marry.I know I won't be any different after we marry

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139697942976383712006-02-11T22:29:00.000Z2006-02-12T04:27:43.706Z

As always, Saturday is a nothing day really, with getting home in the morning from work, and trying to get some sleep before work again on Saturday night, virtually everything goes by the board. That's how it was today with one very notable exception.I arrived home at 8am this morning and Sarah was waiting for a lift to work, which is only 5 minutes drive, so without coming into the house I took

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139627521853742822006-02-11T02:25:00.000Z2006-02-12T04:28:27.450Z

This morning it was early to the hospital for physio with James. Primarily this was work on the shoulder and hand. I have to say that James has certainly not given up the idea of getting something back into cleo's hand and fingers, but we are resigned to it being a very long job. We did have a call yesterday from the home care physio and we discussed a few ideas with James about where this might

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139526971659247692006-02-09T22:47:00.000Z2006-02-10T00:04:28.283Z

James was fully booked today, so we had no physio scheduled, but that was a good thing as there were a few things to tie up regards the wedding next week. Once the girls had gone to school we had breakfast of boiled eggs and toast, our favourite.Shopping needed doing before the weekend, which looms large on the horizon and the dreaded work again. While out we bought a lovely two tier white iced

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139432504769450702006-02-08T20:38:00.000Z2006-02-08T21:35:07.830Z

A speech therapist who doesn't say much, it's a bit of an oxymoron, but it's true. We had a visit from the care team speech therapist (Emily) whom I had not met before as I was out when she called last week. Still, at least when she spoke she had a nice "Queen's English" accent, very well spoken. That in itself was more comforting than the speech therapist who visited cleo when she was in the

MGnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139361273397915852006-02-07T23:46:00.000Z2006-02-08T01:14:33.520Z

CLEO is finding herself very tired these days. Now, i have thought very carefully about this, and have drawn some conclusions based on perhaps a little science, and some common sense logical thought too. More of that later.Her sleeping patterns never were very good, and now they are even more odd. Because she sleeps from early in the evening, after hitting the "wall" (as I have mentioned

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139274609421209302006-02-07T00:41:00.000Z2006-02-07T01:19:36.060Z

After work last night I drove home knowing we had the whole week ahead, and while there is lots to do, we can do these things together, and all the time we are together, we are OK. That's how we are.Physio with James was booked for 9.00 am so no chance to sleep till later. We set off after the girls had gone to school, and James worked again on cleos arm: he was pleased to note that there was

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139187861043226312006-02-06T00:37:00.000Z2006-02-06T01:52:37.100Z

Another milestone this evening: actually borne out of the fact that i was on my way to work. Cleo wanted to get downstairs, and with Sarah's help she did this for the first time without my being there. All these little things are so important because they build up to much bigger things. Each step is a major leap towards more independence for cleo, something which is so important.This coming week

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139111588495929972006-02-05T03:38:00.000Z2006-02-05T04:40:13.800Z

I hate weekends! Yes I know I have said it loads of times before, but it bears saying again. Today, I got home at 8am, after having to negotiate a huge (30 mile) detour on the way home because the A2 trunk road was closed. We had breakfast and by 9.30 I was asleep. cleo woke me about 3pm, and then it was out the door again by 4pm, and back to work.This is the problem with a job that requires 12

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1139017965369137802006-02-04T01:29:00.000Z2006-02-06T00:37:13.086Z

Today's post is more about us, than just cleo, for two reasons.Firstly, we are becoming more used to the limitations of what cleo can do, and as such our teamwork is getting better. We have always worked better as a team, and so it is again, working on such "mundane" stuff as household bills and finances, housework itself, and general day to day things. We are creating our own ways of doing

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1138928715953611452006-02-03T00:38:00.000Z2006-02-03T01:07:31.430Z

We managed to get a day today when we didn't have to go out anywhere. James was unavailable for physio and Ann Lewis from the Stroke association came to visit this morning.At 1.30 the OT technician arrived to fit the second bannister, which was duly completed in under an hour. We also had a call from social services saying they had a hydraulic bath seat for us as recommended by Doug (remember him

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1138840294578659612006-02-01T22:49:00.000Z2006-02-02T00:32:56.736Z

Today saw one of the first real pieces of the wedding jigsaw fall into place, cleo going to the nail bar to have those christmas talons changed for wedding ones. Purple and silver creations that took nearly two hours to do, making us 15 minutes late for physio at lunchtime! (click the picture for an enlarged view)I have to say that the girl who does cleo's nails is an absolute artist but can she

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1138755940397916212006-02-01T00:55:00.000Z2006-02-01T02:40:10.833Z

Much like long distance runners, who are pushing themselves to, and then through a limit of endurance, i am seeing very much the same in my cleo of late. By early evening she finds that she is very tired, and needs to sleep. Of course i fully understand; her body is recovering from major trauma, and is further tired by the fcat that many of her muscles are working extra hard to compensate for

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1138662714187530612006-01-30T22:41:00.000Z2006-01-30T23:11:54.300Z

There is a lot to be said for normality. The last couple of months or so, we can honestly say that we have had little normality in our lives. Today felt just a little more normal again. Hannah is having a friend to stay over tomorrow night, and Sarah is off to see some band I have never heard of in London. These normal "family" things make me feel much closer to how we were, and I am sure cleo

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1138587552555232472006-01-30T01:28:00.000Z2006-01-30T02:39:12.606Z

TEN weeks into cleo's Road to Recovery, and sometimes it seems that the time has flown by, while there are also times when it seems like an age. I suppose that when the stroke happened we all became very tied up with the daily hospital visits along with the preparations for Christmas. There just didn't seem enough time in the days to get all the things done that needed doing. Now when i look back

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1138514649489175722006-01-29T05:31:00.000Z2006-01-29T06:04:09.633Z

The weeks roll by, and suddenly the wedding looms up. There is much to do, and, like the saying, so little time. However i am sure we will get everything organised.We are beginning to receive replies to our invites sent last week. Of course these are from family mostly, so they are from people who knew we were s3ending them, and who we knew would likely be coming, but it's good to get the replies

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19208792.post-1138416737192785442006-01-28T01:28:00.000Z2006-01-28T02:52:17.336Z

Last night cleo spent most of the night in some pain as a result of her swollen finger and the ring that she could not get off. By this morning it was even more swollen, and we had physiotherapy at 9.30. James said he would have a try at getting the ring off, but after 30 minutes we gave it up, and decided to go straight to a jeweller after the hospital. This we did, and we were lucky to find a

MGnoreply@blogger.com0