2nd Chance Recovery

*Alison Copeland*

I am a two-time stroke survivor. In my journey of recovery, I discovered there are so many types, reasons and ages of strokes and survivors. I also discovered with different doctors and therapy you get different responses and answers. I decided the best way to recover is to educate myself. 

 December 13, 2019, started as an ordinary day. A day at work felt wonderful apart from a little right knee pain. About two p.m. after lunch, I had a strange feeling of what appeared to be a tingling sensation across my forehead. Sort  of like an itch. When I attempted to reach for my cup on my desk my left arm wiggled without command or control. Thinking to myself "that's weird." I continued to work with no issues fast-forwarded when I got up to walk my left leg "buckled". Self-diagnosing, I assumed it was due to overuse because of issues with the right knee, I may have been overcompensating on the left creating the weakness. I proceeded to complete my shift and drove home across two interstates and a busy highway home. Once home I told my husband “My left side feels funny I think I need to go to the hospital". I changed clothes and headed to the emergency room. Once we arrived, I was unable to move my left leg to get out of the vehicle. I had no idea or clue of having a stroke.  I had no "classic systems."   I was checked in and evaluated with a CT scan.  I was told I was in an active stroke and needed to be admitted to hospital. I was indeed admitted and went through one hour and forty-five minutes of MRI and MRA. I was not administered an IV or any medicine except Tylenol. Around the fourth day my whole left side shut down completely. Total paralysis on left side. My mental, vision, facial or speech was not affected. When I inquired about my condition, I was told a stroke must run its course. I did not arrive at an emergency within four hours of onset of stroke therefore I could not be administered the clot stopping drug that could have stopped the stroke. I was approved for in-house acute therapy. By the time I was transferred to the facility on December 19, 2019, I could not sit up without falling over like a baby.  I inquired and found out I suffered two Ischemic strokes.  Physical and Occupational therapy started immediately.  I was scared and confused at the same time.  I felt helpless and almost a shame. Visits from psychiatrist proved I was still mentally intact. I was put through a series of exercises and therapy and on December 25, 2019, I was able to move my fingers and foot very slowly on the left side.  Of course, at that moment I was really motivated.  I knew God was surely going to bring me through.