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Sugar Lump Studios

Art by Nancy Maxwell James

{Merry Month of May}

April 30, 2017

Happy May!
This is National Stroke Awareness Month. For those of you that do not know, I am a stroke survivor suffering a Ischemic Stroke in my brain stem on July 24, 2014. I was 50 years old. I feel very strongly about alerting others about the risk of stroke. It hits ALL AGES and does not discriminate.

This year, I will doing the 1 mile Heart Walk on Saturday, May 6th. It will take every once I have to do this, but I am bound and determined I will. I am still looking for sponsors for this event and if you are interested you can donate any amount here:  Heart Walk 2017 Donations

What do you know about stroke? Stroke strikes fast. You should too. Call 911. Know Stroke... A program of The National Institutes of Health.
Lots of info at this site…just click on graphic!

Filed in: stroke recovery • by Sugar Lump Studios • 3 Comments

{Shhhh…My Brain is healing!}

October 31, 2016

nancy_1

Today, I have the honor of another recovery story being shared on the “Life After Stroke” website. I hope you can stop by and read the post and many others who are on the journey to recovery. We all try and share our stories because each of our strokes were different. Our hope is to bring awareness. Stroke hits ALL ages. In the past ten years, there has been an increase of strokes hitting those 45 years old and younger. An increase of 44%!!! That is a very frightening thing.

I do hope you can stop by and say hello!

Shhhh…my brain is healing!

Filed in: stroke recovery • by Sugar Lump Studios • Leave a Comment

{May is National Stroke Awareness Month}

May 1, 2016

strokesurvivor

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stroke-signs

Stroke-Risk-Factors

stroke

Happy May!

This month is National Stroke Awareness Month. I feel so strongly about sharing the warning signs of stroke since I suffered mine in July 2014 that I want to continue to share whatever information I can. No one should ever have to go through one and they happen at all ages. They say that 1 – 6 people will suffer a stroke in their lifetime and that is one too many!

While I continue to struggle with my right side and my brain is still numb (like a visit to the dentist) some days are better then others. The barometric pressure really plays havoc with me (especially when it is going to rain) and on those days I have learned not to push myself. Often, it feels like I am drunk when I am not. If the brain and my motor skills refuse to cooperate – no sense in getting even more frustrated with the situation.

My mission this month (besides sharing stroke awareness) is to lose some weight! I have gained quite a few pounds from not being as mobile. I am nearing the two year mark since my stroke happened and also of being smoke free!

Bless you all for being so supportive during my journey! xoxoxoxo

I was honored to be asked to share my story recently and the post is featured on this web site:

http://lifeafterstroke.life/

I hope you will find the information useful and come stop by!

Filed in: stroke recovery • by Sugar Lump Studios • 5 Comments

{A Little Faith…Hope…and One Year Later}

July 24, 2015

gypsy2
Photo from Pinterest

Hello!
Today marks my one year anniversary or surviving my pontine stroke. I truly do not believe a year has gone by already. It seems just yesterday, I was living at the hospital and attending PT/OT twice a day. I know that I have gained so much back in the past year, but some days it seems like I am still taking “baby steps” on this long road to recovery. For many of you, you really do not have any idea about what someone goes through when they suffer a stroke. That is not meant in a bad way, it is meant in that we really do not educate those about it. My Uncle (Dad’s brother) had two, and other then he had trouble walking and with the use of his side…I really NEVER knew.

So in reflecting on my own stroke, I am going to share details about myself. Remember…EACH stroke is different because it HITS everyone in different areas of their brain. No recovery is the same as well. That is one of things probably most frustrating because it is all a wait and see game.

medium

I had what is known as a “pontine stroke” or a stroke that was in the brain stem. I feel very fortunate because doctors remind me all the time how lucky I am to be here still. They do not see many survive this type of stroke because the brain stem is “prime real estate”. I was also lucky that the stroke did not effect my memories severely as it does so many. I do have trouble remembering things more with short term memory then long term.

A little photo montage of this past year…

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1545847_10152925135906079_7327100858429467009_nIMG_20150502_194543detroit

Most stroke patients are looking at a minimum of 2.5 years in recovery. If they gain back certain things the first few years, their outlook for regaining even more is said to be better (according to the doctors)

oneday

These are a few things I still struggle with daily:

My brain/upper forehead still feel numb. It feels like I was at the dentist and I had Novocaine injected in it. They don’t know if this feeling will go away or not.

My right hand is still numb, but my it is not freezing cold to the touch like it was. My right foot is also connecting better to the brain and is no longer always freezing cold. They do *occasionally* act up. The brain is reconnecting with all of this. I may get it back and I may not.

I still struggle with writing. I am not driving. I tire easily. I walk with a cane when I need balance. The stroke effects the vertigo and depth perception part of my brain.

My right leg (calf) spasms and tones constantly. I try to do stretching exercises as much as possible to elevate some of this pain.

My right shoulder (rotator cuff) is always in pain. Physical therapy has helped this, but this is a very common problem among survivors.

My right knee gives out often.

When it rains or snows the barometric pressure effects my motor skills greatly. I have trouble with just about anything.

Your chances of having a stroke increase when:

You smoke.
You are diabetic.
You have a family member that suffered one.
You have high blood pressure.
You suffer from migraines.
You eat crappy food as your main diet.
You are African American.

There are many other risk factors…you can find more here:
www.stroke.org

I thank each of you for being here and supporting me during my road to recovery! It still is a long and winding road,
but the first year is now behind me. Bless You! <3

Filed in: stroke recovery • by Sugar Lump Studios • 16 Comments

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