The first six months was tough. I learned I would NEVER be able to see right again. That part of my brain was dead.
I went through depression and the whole "Why Me?" phase. Everytime I got a head ache, it scared the crap out of me! Oh gosh...am I having another stroke and then have a panic attack!
I wanted to look normal, I didn't want people to know I had a handicap, so I stayed bruised from bumping into things. One dang wall in particular. In the hall, a wall juts out before the bathroom. Now I have lived here many years and that same wall has always been there, but it seems to always jump right out in front of me now. I got smart one day...I moved over a bit...only to stub my toes on an antinque desk that sits in the hall. Really smart...huh? So now, my left arm was bruised and my right toes were throbbing.
I discovered that if I hold my head at a certain angle, I could get things in pretty good view, I could even see colors. I went to see the Optomitrist, " Doc, I think I'm getting my vision back!"
"I don't think that is possible Theresa", he replied. "But Doc, I can see when I move my head like this" , "Hummm", was all he said. I had another round of tests. Before this happened, I didn't know there were so many tests they could do on the eyes. I have what they call a pin hole spot. The best way to describe it is to take a straight pin, poke a hole in a piece of paper, then hold it up to your eye. This is the range I could see by holding my head all funny.
I can see! I can see!
This helped with the depression alot, I started scrapbooking again which occupied my mind. I could walk without holding someones shirt tale or being pushed in a wheelchair. I was going to be able to see my grandchildren.
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Saturday, May 31, 2008
The Discovery
I was admitted to the hospital and under went a slue of tests. Yep...I had a stroke, they didn't make a mistake!
I learned that only 1% of stroke victims have the type of stroke that I had. The stroke was in the Opcipital Lobe of the brain, which is why my vision was affected.
What had caused this?
It was discovered that I have a mutation in my blood which causes it to clot. I had had a silent heart attack and the blood was pooling and clotting in my heart. One lil adventurous clot decided to break free and take a journey.
I was so very fortunate! I felt normal. I didn't have any speech problems, no paralyzes, and only a bit weaker on the left side. I just couldn't see right. Pin It
I learned that only 1% of stroke victims have the type of stroke that I had. The stroke was in the Opcipital Lobe of the brain, which is why my vision was affected.
What had caused this?
It was discovered that I have a mutation in my blood which causes it to clot. I had had a silent heart attack and the blood was pooling and clotting in my heart. One lil adventurous clot decided to break free and take a journey.
I was so very fortunate! I felt normal. I didn't have any speech problems, no paralyzes, and only a bit weaker on the left side. I just couldn't see right. Pin It
Friday, May 30, 2008
Way Too Young!
I remember watching Oprah years ago, she stated that 40 was the new 20. People in their forties were healthier, happier, and more beautiful than ever. I found this to be very untrue when I turned 40.
I turned 40 on February 27, 2005. Six weeks later, I walked a half block to get my great-nephew from the bus stop. On the way back, I heard a very loud pop and lost my vision. I stopped in my tracks. I remember thinking "What was that, was I just shot?" I started feeling very ill. I didn't want to scare Ja'Cory, though I was beginning to really freak out.
I told him we were going to play a game, that I couldn't see and he had to get me home. He said "Oh Aunt Theresa, your sooo silly" , then he took my hand and lead me home. I went straight to bed with the garbage can next to me, sure I was going to be sick. This was on a Friday. I stayed in bed all weekend getting up only to go to the restroom or get a snack. My family members were making fun of me calling me "crazy eyed chicken head" because apparently I had my eyes open so wide they thought they would pop right out of the socket and my head was bobbing...cuz it hurt sooo bad! I was only trying to see. I was however seeing shawdows now.
By Sunday evening, my husband told me that I BETTER find a ride to the ER the following morning. He was going to San Antonio to be with his mother during a major surgery. He also told me that if they didn't find anything wrong, he was commiting me to the State Hospital....feel the love? LOL
There was no change in my vision Monday morning. I was wondering what it was going to be like in the state hospital...would they let me have my scrapbooking supplies?
My daughter-in-law took me to the hospital. I told her to just go home, I would call her when I was done. After all, there was no need for both of us to waste our day in the emergency room.
I was put in a room and waited for what seemed like hours before the doctor came in. I explained what had happened and the problem with my vision. He ordered a CAT Scan. After that, I waited back in the room for what seemed like the rest of the hours in the day. I had drifted off to sleep. The doctor touched my arm to wake me up, which had startled me. He said "You have had a stroke, another doctor will be in to admit you" , and away he walked.
What? A stroke? I just turned forty...I was too young to have a stroke! My kids were grown, it was time to start the rest of my life. I think they made a mistake!
There I was, all alone and in shock. I didn't have the nurses call button, or if I did, I couldn't find it. I could see shadows of people passing by. I began to yell "hello" everytime someone would pass until someone finally came in. "Yes?" "Could you show me where the phone is?", I had asked. "Let me get you a nurse", came a reply. To this day, I still don't know who came into my room. Pin It
I turned 40 on February 27, 2005. Six weeks later, I walked a half block to get my great-nephew from the bus stop. On the way back, I heard a very loud pop and lost my vision. I stopped in my tracks. I remember thinking "What was that, was I just shot?" I started feeling very ill. I didn't want to scare Ja'Cory, though I was beginning to really freak out.
I told him we were going to play a game, that I couldn't see and he had to get me home. He said "Oh Aunt Theresa, your sooo silly" , then he took my hand and lead me home. I went straight to bed with the garbage can next to me, sure I was going to be sick. This was on a Friday. I stayed in bed all weekend getting up only to go to the restroom or get a snack. My family members were making fun of me calling me "crazy eyed chicken head" because apparently I had my eyes open so wide they thought they would pop right out of the socket and my head was bobbing...cuz it hurt sooo bad! I was only trying to see. I was however seeing shawdows now.
By Sunday evening, my husband told me that I BETTER find a ride to the ER the following morning. He was going to San Antonio to be with his mother during a major surgery. He also told me that if they didn't find anything wrong, he was commiting me to the State Hospital....feel the love? LOL
There was no change in my vision Monday morning. I was wondering what it was going to be like in the state hospital...would they let me have my scrapbooking supplies?
My daughter-in-law took me to the hospital. I told her to just go home, I would call her when I was done. After all, there was no need for both of us to waste our day in the emergency room.
I was put in a room and waited for what seemed like hours before the doctor came in. I explained what had happened and the problem with my vision. He ordered a CAT Scan. After that, I waited back in the room for what seemed like the rest of the hours in the day. I had drifted off to sleep. The doctor touched my arm to wake me up, which had startled me. He said "You have had a stroke, another doctor will be in to admit you" , and away he walked.
What? A stroke? I just turned forty...I was too young to have a stroke! My kids were grown, it was time to start the rest of my life. I think they made a mistake!
There I was, all alone and in shock. I didn't have the nurses call button, or if I did, I couldn't find it. I could see shadows of people passing by. I began to yell "hello" everytime someone would pass until someone finally came in. "Yes?" "Could you show me where the phone is?", I had asked. "Let me get you a nurse", came a reply. To this day, I still don't know who came into my room. Pin It
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Giving it a try
Almost everyone I know is blogging. After thinking about it for a while, I decided I would give it a try. Although, I don't think my life is exciting enough for anyone to want to read about, here I am. Please be patient with me while I figure the bloggy thing out.
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