Fifty-five days ago, a 45 year-old man in the prime of his career and life was noticed by his wife to be disorientated. He suffered mild weakness, and was later diagnosed to have a stroke. Needless to say, his entire family was turned upside down. How could this be? Why? All possible causes were investigated, and he was started on medications as he and his family tried to make sense of this predicament.
This evening, as I hurried home with food just bought from the food center near my house, my patient and his family came forward to greet me. He was out for dinner with his supportive wife and two lovely children. What a joy!
Ten to twenty-five percent of stroke patients make almost complete recovery, and are able to return to their previous daily activities – going out for a meal in the food center with their loved ones, taking an evening stroll in the park, enjoying a tennis game with their old friends. Some brain cells are knocked out temporarily but are able to recover with time. Others may be recruited to optimize lost function, or else re-engineered to take over the role of those damaged ones.
Few things are more wonderful than seeing a stroke patient return to his family, his job and his life!
Follow