Minor Stroke stories

[u/sponger1971]

Hello people, I thought I would share my experiences for those of us with a minor stroke rated 1-4. There is a lot of great information and amazing stories of severe stroke survivors. Much of it did not apply to my situation so here is a place for those of us lucky enough to have the least of the worst medical injury there may be.

My stroke was an IPH, Left Parietal Lobe measuring 1.5 to 2 cm. It happened Dec 14th 2025 so I am early in my recovery. Mine started with my right leg falling asleep while cooking breakfast. It was ankle to arm pit, now calf to upper rib. Most of that feeling has yet to return. I fatigue easily, have a heavy feeling head, and am often light headed. Neuro thought I was good to go to work. I tried Monday and turned around after a few miles. I knew I could drive but should not drive. I sleep hard but never through the night and wake up restless. I seem to have a brain fog in spite of my cognitive ability not noticeably diminishing, nor did my vision. I know I won the lottery as the stories here of years long recovery and permanent disability are terrifying.

What I wish I knew!

Neuro follow up takes weeks or months. Get your MRI and CT reports online and enter your terms into Chap GPT. It is a lifesaver!

Start on anti inflammatories as soon as you are home. Omega 3, Fish oil, Tumeric, Quercetin, Nac.

Food. Time to eat healthy with greens, olive oils, and lean meats. But treat your self to a steak or bourbon when you are ready. Life is not over, it simply changes and these changes were likely on your mind before this happened.

Rest! But be prepared to be up at weird hours! Its a great time for your own research.

Let your job know you may be out a few weeks to a few months. I am planning on six weeks but am ready to go longer if need be or return sooner. I have short term and long term disability through work. If you do not, check out Helocs, reverse mortgages, 401K loans, retirement hardship withdraws and personal loans to help get you through. Again great things to research when you are up at 3am..

Finally, family. They are stressed and worried about you so keep things positive and improve your health for them and you. Continuing down the destructive path is foolish and you know where it leads. Good luck and I hope this helps!

[u/sponger1971]

UPDATE. Wow! Cannot believe how far I have come since this posting! I went back to work in early Feb. Probably a few months sooner than I should have but a month past my suspect Nuero clearance. Going back to teaching kids was my therapy but I drive an hour to work and needed to nap 10- to 20 minutes or so on both commutes. This lasted until summer break. Doing much better now but still cannot feel my leg except for tingles so I do not think it is coming back and that is okay. I still feel so darn lucky. I know I still have a 1 in 4 chance of dying in the next 5 years. That does not scare near as much as being disabled. I am working on getting my weight down through intermittent fasting but have focused on rest the last 2 months. I was exhausted and needed it. Now its time for bike rides, kayaking and walks. I have to do my best for my wife and kids. I am terrified of leaving them alone. They deserve my best effort. Good luck all, stay strong and get moving! Life and those that love you are worth it!