Stroke, spasticity and hope
By Herbert “Hub” M.
At 41, I was living a happy, fulfilling and fast-paced life as a husband, father to our three kids and working a job I loved. Then on April 26, 2021, I suffered a hemorrhagic stroke.
While home alone, I began experiencing a headache and I could not see from my left eye, and I instantly knew something was wrong. I called my wife, who was at a nearby grocery store, and she immediately called 911. As she returned home, I was already getting loaded into the ambulance. I was taken to hospital where they performed craniectomy. I spent two weeks in ICU. Next, I was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital where my recovery really began and where I received physical, occupational and speech therapy daily. Today, I continue rehabilitation as an outpatient.
In order to qualify for long-term disability benefits, I lost the job I loved. This was really hard. Because I have spasticity as a post-stroke condition, I cannot drive. For me, spasticity also means that I am unable to open and close my left hand, making daily activities challenging.
Post-stroke recovery has been difficult. I have lost and mourned the old Hub and have struggled to find the “new me.” But through this journey, I realized I didn’t have another option. At times it has been challenging to stay positive and motivated, because it can be tough to see the progress you are making, for it can be minimal and take a long time. I don’t measure my success day by day, but when I look back to a year ago, and where I am today, I am grateful every day how far I have come. I dream of the day I can work again. I dream of the day I can drive my daughter to her softball practice or game.
My former boss used to end our meeting with the F.A.S.T. (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 911) acronym, as his wife was a stroke survivor. I had no idea how one day knowing F.A.S.T. and a quick response from my wife would save my life. Today, I share my story of hope and inspiration as each of our recovery journeys is unique, just as we are.
Spasticity is a common post-stroke condition. To better understand and manage this condition, visit stroke.org/spasticity.
Would you like help dealing with heart or stroke conditions -- either yours or someone else’s? Join us in the AHA’s Support Network! We are an online community of patients, survivors and caregivers where you can share your experience while getting encouragement, hope and informational resources from others who have been there. Membership is free and the benefits can be priceless. Register today.