Aussie Ken

Stroke Survivor - male
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Blog Entries posted by Aussie Ken

  1. Aussie Ken

    Great weekend

    By Aussie Ken,

    Back from the South Coast of NSW after visiting my sister for her birthday. It was great to see her face as she had no idea that i was coming and the fact that i hadn't emailed or rang her the suprise was incedible and very emotional. One of my older brothers also traveled down from sydney. it was also great to catch up with my nieces and nephews and see how much they have grown. I travelled well with well planned stops and breaks. The road vibration also privided stimulation to my leg and foot, so more feeling is coming back. Although the weather was ordinary it wasn't to hot or cold for travelling. so i have gained more confidence it travelling.
     
  2. Aussie Ken

    First long road trip

    By Aussie Ken,

    Next weekend i will be taking my first long road trip since having the stroke, we will be travelling south of Sydney to Shoalhaven Heads which is about 3 hours by road south of Sydney. It will be my older sisters 60th birthday so her daughter has organised a surprise birthday party for her. So we have checked out suitable places to stop that have disabled bathrooms and access. Unfortunately it will be just an overnight trip as my daughter still has her final HSC exam to go. but the break will do us all good.
    Yesterday after doing my physio programme, my walking was spot on, the balance was perfect the foot coming through no drop foot so i was very excited, so all the hard work is paying off. i just wish i had a safe area that i could do must of it by myself and my wife can get on with her jobs instead of tying her up while i go through the programme.
    Today is bright and sunny but a bit cool inside so i will go outside in the warmth when my wife gets home from dropping the kids off at Venturer scouts.
    so have a great week and never give up.
  3. Aussie Ken

    Trying an AFO

    By Aussie Ken,

    Hi Guys
    Well for the past week i have been trying an AFO, and it's been a success, i find i'm walking straighter, better balanced, and getting my affected leg through without scrapping the toes, my own GP could not understand why the hospital physio didn't get me one ages ago. I know that the hospital doctor had recommended one but it never eventuated, It has I still get drop foot went i don't use it but once it's on i find the drop foot does't happen. For safety my wife still walks behind me for safety but it won't be long before i'm up and away. With the warm whether now my affected leg is keeping a good temperature as during winter it was like a block of ice. i hope to go solo soon and get some of my independance back. and get back out in the garden and do some chores. So fingures crossed my New Year resolution will come true,
    Once i get the walking down pat i can concentrate on getting the arm working properly again.
    Well back to the grindstone and get my physio done.
  4. Aussie Ken

    Crazy and frustrated

    By Aussie Ken,

    What a horrible day we just had, the day started of fine beautiful blue sky, gentle breeze, then about 11.00am the wind came in from the west, a howling gale the temp was about 90deg F, we were at a soccer picnic for our sons soccer team. the picnic ground had a great shelter protecting us from the sun but because there area was across the road from open fields we coped the full force of the wind. I was hoping to do some walking practice as it was nice flat terrain but because the wind was so strong i gave it a miss.
     
    I the thing i find difficult and frustrating is that all the times i suffered sprained ankles etc i was able to get around but since the stroke and the foot drop i just cannot master this walking business.
    So does the foot drop ever get better, after searching the web and reading some books and doing the excercises i just can't unlock the muscle stiffness, maybe my Podrist maybe able to unlock the muscles?
     
    i guess i just have to preserve and not give up
  5. Aussie Ken

    Perfect day

    By Aussie Ken,

    Oh what a beautiful day, it's enough to make you burst out in song, but the local cats and dogs may object.
    Today it's a great 25 deg c, (i've fogotten the imperial scale maybe 70+ deg F) theres no wind. been to the garden centre this morning to get some soil mix and herbs, we have some potatoes in already. all the spring bulbs are flowing, rose buds getting fat and ready to burst out into flower, the lavenders, bottlebursh etc are not far from flowering. we also have a large gum tree in the backyard that is now flowering so during the night we can hear the fruit bats eating the nectar, at dawn the rainbow lorrikeets until about 10.00am, the the honey bees for the rest of the day. Gee i miss not being able to get out in the garden do my jobs, but i will get there.
    It's also causing havic to the sinses but it's a small price to pay.
    Looking forward to my sons soccer presentation tomorrow, the daughter is away again this weekend sailing on Sydney Harbour with the scouts, just hope she uses plenty of sunblock.
     
    :beer: cheers
    Ken
  6. Aussie Ken

    Aussie Spring Time

    By Aussie Ken,

    Yipee :Clap-Hands: it's finally getting warmer here in Sydney. Although it's been a mild winter it's still gets quiet chilly, at least we don't get snow here.
    Sons soccer team won their comp so he's happy, Daughters team came mid comp but she had fun and the ladies took good care of her. She is busy studying for her final high school exams.
    My walking is getting better but i have it's moments. Foot drop is my main bug bear, one moment i'm walking well be next moment i'm walking loopsided. After all the time i had spained ankle i was able to get around reasonably well but since the stroke i still need assistance. the key i find is never give up and keep up the exercises,
    My goal is to be walking independantly by christmas, if i can get my foot to settle down i will investigate hydrotheripy soon.
    So stay strong never give up.
  7. Aussie Ken

    just saying hi

    By Aussie Ken,

    A bit overcast today in Sydney today, we have one child away at a Venturer scout camp hiking in the Blue Mountains and the other visiting a mate before he plays in a soccer semi final tomorrow, they were minor premiers.
    My wife and i helped at a Lions club BBQ this morning, not that i can do much at the moment, but it gets me out for a while.
     
    have a good week
     
    Ken
  8. Aussie Ken
    Just thought i would report in and see whats happening, it's still very cold hear in Sydney and i see that quiet a lot of the States are experiencing record high temperatures, bushfires etc. Although it has been cold the drought continues,
     
    On the recovery side of things most of the numbness i was experincing is almost gone, in the past few day the extreme coldness i was experincing in isolated parts of my lower leg is abating. the worst area was from the calf muscle to under the right heel.
     
    Now when i'm doing my stand i can really feel the calf stretching and have incorporated a few other exercises as well.
     
    Staying positive is the hardest challange and take ther good with the bad.
     
    A good network of family and friends are also a key element to recovery.
     
    :chat:
  9. Aussie Ken

    More good news

    By Aussie Ken,

    Just been to the doctors and more good news, My blood pressure, Weight, and blood tests are all perfect, as i said my balance is getting better by the day and it won't be long before i'm walking solo, as i had to walk down the hallway by myself this moirning as our puppy was getting the way and being a pest, he just wanted to help. So it won't be long before i'm going solo.
  10. Aussie Ken
    When i woke this morning i felt great, i breezed though my arm and leg exercises, and while working down to the kitchen i was walking straight and wasn't leaning on the cane to much. Then when i was having my shower i could actually feel the water pressure against my affected leg. This feeling has been coming back in sections but today it was all over. Even my morning stand felt better although when i got off the wedge it took a couple of minutes before the foot went right down. I only wish that this feeling came back when i was still in the formal physio programme. I guess if man would come to there senses and stop having these silly wars more time and money could be channelled into medical research, PT, OT, maybe we could all get better quicker.
    Well back to my home progamme i've rested long enough.
     
     
  11. Aussie Ken
    Just after Easter this year my balance was getting better, the numbness down the right hand side almost disappeared, my walking really improved, i finally felt happy within myself and decided to get on with life. Touch wood my memory is really good and i've been reflecting on my lifes achievements, disappointments, and were to from hear. The mine thing at the moment is to be able to walk independantly without my wife needing to hold my hips just in case i fall bakwards. All though my formal physio finished in January i still do my daily routine of sit to stands, stand against the wall and i've been increasing the time each month. plus my other exercises. I've added squates to the programme and standing without holding on to anything. Unfortunately the gym i use to go to is up a very steep fight of stairs wictch is a pity as i feel i'm almost ready to use the bike and some of the other equipment. When the weather starts to warm up i hope to be stable enough to do some water therapy. My physio was not in favour of this type of therpy because of the balance problem.
    I think because i've got a never give up attitude i will regain my independance, i'm not that concerned if i done drive again, walking is better any way and Sydney traffic is getting worse.
    So all i can add never give up hope as there is always someone else worse off.
     
    :beer:
  12. Aussie Ken
    Well another weekend has just past, my daughters team lost 4-1 but she scored her first goal, so she is over the moon, she has been in playing for 7 years and loves every minute of it. She is in an All Aged ladies team and being the youngest all the ladies really look after her. She is so happy as all the girls in her old u16 team were boy happy and Kristine got sick of all the rubbish they talked about. She is not boy happy which is a blessing. My 16 yo son was at on a Venturer Scout campin the Blue mountains, very cold but he had fun, but he would have prefered to stay home and play his soccer game, but it was a camp he had to do.
     
    Well i'm still in the wheelchair but at least the numbness in the right hand side is all but gone. I breezed through my home physio programme this morning considering i didn't get to do any over the weekend. i was able to get a real good stretch through the hamstring muscle this morning and my walking is getting steadier and regaining my balance. So the more i can walk i don't get drop foot as often. I'm looking forward to gaining my independance without Kathy having to walk behind my incase the drop foot returns.
     
     
  13. Aussie Ken
    today whilst walking i was finally getting a bit of a pull in the achilles tendon and this after noon my heal went straight down when i was standing on the wedge and i was able to balance for about minute with out holding on. so all i can say is yipeeee
     
    :Clap-Hands:
  14. Aussie Ken
    This morning whist doing my daily stretch againt the wall using a wedge i could finally feel my calf muscle stretching on my right hand side i've had little twinges whist walking for the past few days and my heel is striking the ground first. So fingers crossed the foot drop my be coming good. even whilst doing my excercises my balance is better especially the step ups and step downs hopefully i will try a few laps up and down the hallway unassisted today. the more confident i get i will achieve my goals.
     
    :happydance:
  15. Aussie Ken
    I just received an email from my elder brother, his eldest daughter who is 27 has just been diagnosed with a Thyroid cancer, she goes into hospital next week, so fingers crossed the will be able to get on top of this. this time last year we were over the moon for her as she just had her first baby. she is such i careing mother and its just not fair.
    So Leanne my prayers are with you and your family and i know you will fight this with all your might.
  16. Aussie Ken

    Back on track

    By Aussie Ken,

    After a couple of sad days i've picked myself up, dusted myself and getting on with my life. I had a few silly upsets and a couple of why me? days, but i'm ready and rearing to go again. i know that i've been doing it a bit hard but then i think about my wife and children and how hard it must be for them as well. i don't feel sorry for myself and must now keep on improving and win this battle only a positve attitude will make me win and get back to my old life, i'm blessed that i can still attend Lions meetings and i have plenty of time put together a monthly newsletter (bulletin) plus learning how to do powerpoint presentations. my one handed typing is getting better. so all i can say now is that by mantaining a positve attitude we will all get over out disabilities etc.
  17. Aussie Ken

    back on track

    By Aussie Ken,

    Well i'm back on track, i was having a real bad day.
     
    As a member of a Lions club i'm currently getting a Bulletin ready for a meeting and function. My involvement with Lions has been good therpy although i can't be as active at the moment like helping out at a BBQ or other activities it gives me an interest. Renewing former interests is very important in the healing process. once i can move around without assistance i will get back to my railway modelling and take up lawn bowls again.
     
    :chat:
  18. Aussie Ken
    Boy it's hard to stay positive, like most of us some days i go to bed and hope this the last time, but then when i wake up all the positive thoughts kick in and renew my determination to beat the demons and prove the so called experts wrong and return back to a almost normal life and not let little things upset me.
     
  19. Aussie Ken

    the Heart is OK

    By Aussie Ken,

    Well, i had a visit to the cardiologist last Friday, the news was all good. it is pumping a way like a little trojan so from a little hiccup, my reaction to the drugs was almost fatal I still can't get a suitable answer as to what went wrong. But i have gritted my teeth and vowed to prove the O/T and some of the doctors wrong and to walk unassisted and gain my independance back. i'm sick and tied of relying on my wife to support me when walking and who knows i may return to the work force. one day
     
  20. Aussie Ken

    it's so quiet

    By Aussie Ken,

    It's so quiet today, the kids have been at Dragonskin with there venturer scouts group west of Sydney over the Blue Mtns, at least the days have been sunny about 26deg c, but the nights drop down -2deg c, even in sydney the nights are getting cool. i will go outside shortly and enjoy the sunshine and warmth. The thing i hate more then anything at the moment is not being able to walk around the garden an do the chores, but i will get there. after taking nearly 2 years to settle down after the stroke i'm now more content in my own mind. so don't give up at least we are breathing.
     
  21. Aussie Ken

    Happy Easter

    By Aussie Ken,

    Hopefully things are starting to move again, i'm getting more and more feeling in my face and leg, all the hard work is playing off wished it occured 2 years ago but it has given me plenty of time to relact on the past and were i'm heading in the future.
     
    also Happy easter everybody
  22. Aussie Ken

    Good report

    By Aussie Ken,

    :cheer:
     
    Well my visit to the rehab doctor was quite good, because of the movement and flexibility i'm getting back in my right leg and foot he hopes my balance and flexability in my foot and leg will return. i can feel the stiffness is going. so if i keep doing my home programme and determination to walk again and get back to an active life i will get there. So if you are feeling frustrated the thing are not happening don't give up just treat it as hiccup and keep trying.
  23. Aussie Ken

    this weekend

    By Aussie Ken,

    Well the weekend is here the childern start there soccer comps this weekend so will be busy tomorrow, my daughter is in a all aged ladies comp and my son is in under 16's, so will be busy for the next 5 months.
    no Lions meetings this week so will be quiet on this front. It's interests like this that keeps you going. i'm thankful that i had plenty of interests to keep me going.
     
  24. Aussie Ken

    my first blog

    By Aussie Ken,

    This is my first blog so bear with me until i lean my way around this part of the site.
     
    I had my stroke on the 17 March 2004 which has affected my r/h side, i must have been going through a mid-life crises as i had decided to play soccer again, i had been doing plenty of gym work, walking, etc, my diabetes was well under control and my 1/2 yearly blood tests were perfect, so were did it all go wrong, all i had was a shocking headache which i developed during training, i remember saying to my mate that i have a headache and that i would stop and rest. that was the last i remember, i came too 6 weeks later, apparently i had a small blockage at the bottom of my heart and then i had a major reaction to the drug.
    i've gone through all the emotional tramur of the stroke and i'm strating to come to terms with things. I was hard on my childern but things are working out. I'm more determined now to get better. My long term memory is back but the short time is making progress. my speech is ok except the volume is still soft, i must remember to slow the brain before the words.
    I've found that being involved with Lions has been great, the are a good group of people. Work was also great and i miss them, most of the people lived in other areas of Sydney, but there is always email.
    I find my body is changing daily, a lot of the tingling is going from r/h leg and i'm forcing my right arm to do more, the stiff is going away. i just wish i could walk without assistance. but the day will come.
     
    :happydance:
  25. Aussie Ken
    The AFO is working, i'm finding that my foot drop is getting better, even when i don't use the AFO my foot is staying flat on the floor and not spring up like a well oiled spring, i'm even managing a few feet by myself without assistance, i just need to build up my self confidence and i will be away.
    The weather in Sydney is all over the place at the moment. On monday i was back in jumpers and long trousers then today back in shorts and t-shirt, very warm day. but we need rain baddly the poor garden is suffering as we have water restrictions which means that we can't use the hose except for sunday and wednesdays for about 3 hours. we use the washing machine water to put around the garden using buckets.
    not much else is happening, looking forward to heading 2hrs south of Sydney in a couple of weeks to my sisters 60th birthday, so it will be interesting to see how i travel in the car that for, plenty of stops i think so that i can get out and stretch.