Stroke Struck
Two poems about the impact of a stroke on victim and caregiver
Struck down,
Punched,
Muzzled,
Bound.
Stroke struck,
Robbed,
Tortured,
Ground.
Left lame,
Hindered,
Chained,
Dumb.
Sleeping Free
Lying there
Awaiting the Sandman,
Quiet,
Hushed,
Peaceful
On your way
To dreamland,
Where ghosts live
And
All things
Are possible.
Your legs twitch.
Are you skipping
Over streams?
Do you talk in your sleep?
Can you catch the biggest fish,
Or make love to your wife?
Slumberland
Brings freedom.
Not confined
By the realities
Of the waking world,
The restrictions of time,
You can, again, be free.
My husband had a massive stroke 16 years ago at age 53. The left side of his brain suffered from the blocked carotid artery, leaving him paralyzed on the right side. He was right-handed and now, that is pretty much useless. Though his right leg is very weak, he can use it enough along with his healthy left leg, to move from his wheelchair to his recliner.
It also had a major effect on his speech leaving him knowing what he wants to say, but unable to say it. He understands, but he can only respond in limited ways. He can’t use sign language nor read nor write. His expressive language was stolen; however, he has a spoken vocabulary of about 25 words. This is extremely frustrating to both of us and there has been little improvement over all these years. In some respect, there has been some decline as we are now in our 70s.
I retired to care for him, but he does well considering his deficits. He compensates and is independent enough that I am even able to leave him for a few days periodically, so long as certain precautions are set in place. He is still “my Bob”, and the love of my life. We cry and laugh together. We are able to worship together in the chapel here where we now live, and we enjoy our only grandchild immensely!
While the CVA was devastating to us both, we are survivors and overcomers, doing our best to live well with what’s left. It seemed like the end of all happiness when the stroke struck, and it was in many ways. But, we are still loving each other and caring for those around us.
If he sees someone in need of assistance here in the Assisted Living Facility we now consider home, he tries to get the attention of the staff. I find this truly amazing. He needs help himself at times, and yet, he is on the look out for others who may have problems, and he does what he can to summon aid. He is an example to others! Stroke struck, yes, but not struck down and out.
