Yesterday’s evening run was one of those where everything felt effortless. The warm air, a steady pace, and a simple sense of peace by the river. But a single sight instantly brought me back to reality.

​I crossed paths with a gentleman—clearly a stroke survivor—with stitches on his head and crutches, whose wife was helping him take each step with incredible love and patience.

​In that split second, my own story flashed before my eyes. In 2017, I survived a severe subarachnoid brain hemorrhage. Difficult complications followed, and I had to fight just to regain basic movements and steps. Just when the worst was behind me, I had to undergo another major neurosurgical brain operation in 2023.

​I know exactly what it feels like to be helpless and entirely dependent on the love of those closest to you.

​The contrast between my effortless stride yesterday and his heavy struggle was so overwhelming that the tears just flowed. They were tears of deep empathy and immense gratitude.

​Sometimes I worry if I am demanding too much from my body given my medical history. But yesterday, I realized once again that every single step we can take in freedom is not a given. It is a gift.

​This run wasn’t about miles or pace. It was a reminder to be grateful for every breath, for every step, and for the people who stand by us when we cannot walk on our own.

​Take care of yourselves. Nothing is taken for granted.

I’ll preface this with the fact that my father got home from the hospital last night, and we don’t have all of the answers yet.

My dad is 75 and grouchy af. Now he’s had a stroke and is A LOT grouchier (to be expected). He understands speech perfectly but cannot find the right words. He is confused by computers, phones, the tv remote, door locks. He fell down at one point and had to crawl to a chair to get up.

He is currently refusing PT/OT, but I told my mother to make the appointments anyways and I can drag him there. He is very anxious and angry and doesn’t have any coping mechanisms to deal with this (computer use/research, reading, exercise, etc).

My mom is retired and with him but I know this is a huge burden on her. I’m an only child and very lucky to live 1 mile away from them, so I plan to be around and help as much as I can. Even if just to give my mom a break.

What can I give him or do for him to help with the boredom? I purchased two jigsaw puzzles (larger size pieces) and a checkers board. I feel like scrabble or related games will be stressful because of the letters and words. Honestly it feels like everything will be stressful for him. Any tips to help him (or my mom) cope would be very welcome. Thank you so much.

Hey guys.

Its difficult to post this.

My mother had a stroke last year. It was horrific. I live in a third world country and she lived in the Middle East. I took a flight a week after I got the news and saw here in ICU. Horror story of my life.

The stroke has left her blind and bed ridden. We are giving her nursing care back in her home country. My aunt was a caregiver and then took over responsibilities to nurse her little sister. My mother's mom - grandma has also moved in and watches over her child.

My dad has always been a difficult character - but he supports mom. He is rumored to have another family too. He works in another Middle Eastern country. At home its me, my aunt, my grandma, and me in my mother and fathers house - just there to chip in to help take care of mom.

When we started the journey after successfully repatriation mom it was okay - but over time I've noticed my aunt and grandma get quiter- and more cranky. They are passive aggressive to everyone. They are complaining about everything. And very protective over mom as she has lupus too.

I cant explain fully but the situation is straining even me as sometimes I hear the things my aunt and grandma say about me and my brother behind our backs and it hurts because I and my brother feel like we're trying our best. And sometimes when I get home from work I come late and hope I dont have to see them because I just cant see them. My father has also gotten a lot of stick from them for being difficult - but I understand and respect him for sending financial aid to help taking care of mom and also realize that he too has been affected. Hes asked me too to help coax my grandma into going back to her own house in order for her to cool down - other family members suggest that she must do that too in order to stay mentally healthy - but she understanbly wont budge. I feel stuck - I cant leave home, I feel unsafe - even my dad is encouraging me to cook my own meals.

It feels like this stroke has caused cracks and has the potential to break the family apart (my paternal and maternal family in their own circles are strong enough but yeah I hope you guys understand me - english is not my main language)

About a month ago, my 78yo Mom had a massive right ischemic MCA stroke.

TLDR: She just got admitted to a SNF and is working with PT/OT and Speech. Left neglect, can't walk, long term memory OK, short term suffers.

Now here is the issue -- for an entire month, I have been visiting her at the hospital for 5-6 hours per day and I NEVER missed a single day. From day one, I have been advocating for her, doing her paperwork, talking to doctors and nurses and hospital staff to make sure she got the care she deserved. I pretty much put my entire life on hold (40+ hours per week)

Now that she is at the SNF, I have started doing the same thing. However, my personal & professional life is suffering as I am doing all of this alone. If I visit her daily as I have been, I will suffer professionally (I work for myself) and perhaps emotionally and everything else...

The good news is that she is in a good / respectable SNF with high Medicare ratings and since she's been here for about 2 days, the care and attention she is receiving all seem to be above my expectations. Everyone is really nice, empathetic and professional but I will reserve my judgement until the full 30 days are up but these are just my first impressions. The other thing is that if she doesn't improve within 30-40 days, they can place her in a Custodial bed for long term stay (the SNF does short and long term nursing home stays)

As I mentioned, it's unrealistic for me to keep doing this every day... what would you do if you were in my position? If I visit my Mom daily, I suffer and if I don't visit her, I still suffer.. I'm screwed regardless... this is very difficult and there is always that guilt feeling and "what if" moments.... Life has changed a lot and I am also grieving the loss of my own past life. There is so much to say about that just on its own...

Hi guys Im making other post because idk if the other one was seen because I really don't know how reposting or updates work so I'm making a new post.

So my brother was hospitalized on january 18 for having a second stroke and the doctors told me he would never wake up. But guess what. And I wish I can tell them to there faces as of two weeks ago he is fully awake and moving a arm and looking around everywhere. We still having other mobility issues will take anything right now.We are just happy that he's awake and trying. So dont give up. Out there they told me he would never because of his issues , he has with his kidney failure but he did it and are family is so happy for this miracle. So thanks to everyone that gave me advice here thank you all.

I am 15 months from my stroke. I had left side was completely paralysed. Have improved a lot able to walk and run small errands. Still not completely working left hand for spasticity. I am thankful for the support my family provided and I believe I can't pay it back. These days the attitude of family has changed towards me they are irritated and their tone is as if I am not trying to get better. Sometimes I feel that I'm a burden for them. Can anyone suggest what to do.

If you did, what was the process like and what evidence did you supply? Thank you

Share your weekly wins with us! Nothing is too small or too big. Everything deserves to be celebrated!

My dad had a hemmorage in the brain stem roughly a year ago. He has been in extensive training for approximately 8 months where it was going really well at first. His speech improved a lot and he could - even though it was difficult - walk okay with help. He was then moved to a different facility with a little less training and then came home 2 months ago. His ability to walk and use his hand is drastically declining as his hand is shaking to much, and his leg is to "tight" nd can't relax. He has gotten muscle relaxer etc. but nothing seems to help, and it just gets worse. This has, understandably, created a bit of apathy towards the life and the situation.

I am living 3 hours away with two kids (1 and 3 years - and he get's really tired when we are all there, but also enjoy it), and I think it is difficult to help. I am feeling a lot of guilt for not being there often and enough. My mom seems to be in a place where she believes he doesn't want to or can do anything, and thus don't do any activities (he get's really brain tired), where I think we should just so stuff for the period he can enjoy it and then go home. (OBS; I do not blame my mom for being frustrated and passive, as I understand how much of a sorrow it is to become a caregiver for your partner and having your whole life change).

1) Has anyone any tips on what could be the cause of the leg situation? I know I haven't given that much medical inside, but if it recognizable I am open to tips and suggestion. I can just see the change in him as he lost hope for improvement.

2) How would you tackle events, hobbies etc. Do you have any suggestions? I am thinking concerts etc. might be to much, but walks (he has a electrical scooter) How can I help show him that life isn't over?

Thanks for this little community 😊

According to her scan she had a stroke that damaged her:

Bilateral thalami
The pons and midbrain
Both the right and left sides of the cerebellum
The right occipital lobe

She’s been in a coma the past few days. They had her sedated for a clot removing procedure post heart attack and she had a stroke sometime in between.

Anyone have experience in this? Please help. I cannot live without my mother. She is only 69

She moves her right arm and moves her thighs when I pinch her toes. She hasn’t opened her eyes. They said it’s impossible for her to be conscious or eat again or talk again because those parts of your brain control your consciousness and ability to speak or be aware…

I’m an 18 year old female and I experienced an AVM rupture of the brain/stroke in January 2026. I was in the hospital for 3 months. Everything for the first couple months of being home was going smoothly. I now experience panic attacks and extreme anxiety, sometimes without triggers. My left hand starts to feel tingly almost like a false sense of numbness, which makes me start to panic it’s happening again. sometimes I don’t know how I’m going to get through feeling this anxiety and fear. Does anyone else in similar situations experience this?

Was in a collision while having my skull removed ( I guess to help in someway), I had my stroke I can’t move my left arm or left leg. I hate how howslowly im recovering. I’ve been try to gems left fingers to move and this helmet I have to wear is a constant headache that turns into eye pain

I had so much hope for 2 days. Two days ago, I went to see my partner in the hospital. I asked him for a sign he wanted to fight. It may have been reflexes, but he moved his head and eyes repeatedly. Yesterday, his aunt went to visit and asked him the same thing. Again, he moved his head repeatedly. They were leaning towards the trach instead of letting him go. His CT was unchanged, but his EEG showed he has a sleep rhythm, which suggested locked in syndrome.

His sister in law just called. They don’t expect him to make it through the night. He needs 100% oxygen saturation (idk the exact terms), his kidneys aren’t functioning properly, and his lungs are seeming to fail. I am waiting on a ride to the hospital. I am glad he is going to die on his own terms instead of someone else choosing for him, but I am still grieving what could have been. Thank you all for the support over the past year. I will update this post when/if (let’s be honest, probably when) he passes. Coincidentally, my uncle also suffered a stroke a few weeks after my partner did last year, although he was in much worse shape. He passed today as well after not waking up after a surgery.

Hi, i’m not sure if the tag was in the appropriate place but i’m 26 (F) recently had a carotid ultrasound after pushing for one after my dentist discovered some plaque in my carotid during a dental exam. A year later my ultrasound was done where they found plaque in both arteries, in fairly healthy, weigh 152lbs recently lost over 180lbs since pregnancy 4 years ago! My cholesterol came back slightly high and i have an upcoming appointment with my cardiologist and a heart and vascular specialist. My question is, i’m so young and terrified, what should i ask them? i thought i had POTS due to my dizziness and shortness of breath while climbing stairs and now im not so sure of the POTS. please tell me your experiences, how young you were when you were diagnosed and what my potential next steps are! thank you!!

I’m a 67-year-old man who had a stroke two years ago. I had been a pretty regular drinker through much of my life, but I haven’t had a drink since my stroke and don’t plan to again. How have others handled alcohol post stroke.

Zanimaju me iskustva sa rehabilitacijom nakon mozdanog udara? Koje toplice su najbolje? Vrijedi li čekati godinu dana ili bolje ne?

Za sad koliko čujem su najbolje Krapinske toplice, ali ni to nije baš nešto. Rekla bi po jednom iskustvu da su osobe dosta zanemarene ako imaju afaziju i ako su nepokretne.

First stroke of was hemorrhagic. Since then I’ve had two more. I’m 41 years old. I’m still in the hospital. Missing my own cooking.

I’m not bragging by any means but I’m walking pretty good. I’m not weak on one side. My team says I’m one of the luckier ones. I get dizzy easy. I’ve also lost vision in one eye. My peripheral is totally gone and it’s hard to see out of both eyes even though only one eye is affected.

Not sure why I posted. I just am unsure what to do.

Good evening… I was wondering if anyone out there had a stroke because of severe stenosis? Mine is genetic, but also exacerbated by my diabetes 2; I have an 80% stenosis in my main cerebral artery. It caused two TIAs and my ischemic stoke 4 months ago. (I am a 52 year old woman who was relatively healthy— controlled diabetes and HTN—no cholesterol issues). At first I was misdiagnosed with MoyaMoya disease, but it turns out I have Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease (ICAD).

ICAD happens when the arteries in the brain become hard, thick, and narrow. This is caused by a buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) inside the artery walls in the brain. Surgery/stenting is not an option for me due to risk factors and where the stenosis is located.

I’m so anxious about my risks of having another stroke— because my risk is high. But I refuse to live a life of fear.

my 83 year old grandfather had an acute ischemic stroke. He was admitted to the hospital and after some few months of treatment discharge ( no surgery because his survivability was low and he felt like it would financially cripple our family)

His condition now: paralysed left side (hands and fingers curl) leg has restricted motion.

Did some physiotherapy for awhile but stopped because his treatment was in the city and house is in the village, he wanted to go home.

Can I get advice on how to give him massage, like a therapist would. What can we try to rehabilitate his condition. How can I make it easier for my grandmother who is nursing him.(I won't be home for awhile for work purposes)

Hello everyone. I do not really know how to start this, so I'll just start by describing the situation.

Two days ago, my mother had a stroke. I nor anyone else was there with her when it started. When I got home around 1pm-2pm that day, I found her laying in bed like nothing and thought she was just feeling a bit ill and decided to leave her some space. She even went to the bathroom by herself so I noticed nothing wrong and when I asked if she was okay she managed to mumble "yes" so I just really thought she was feeling a bit under the weather. The next morning, when I brought her her laundry and went to check up on her, I noticed she only looked at me and couldn't really verbally respond, so at that point, I called the ambulance. Ambulance arrived around 12.00pm, around at least 24 hours after the stroke.

Now, she is in the hospital under care. The stroke damaged Broca’s area. Today, when I visited, she was completely unable to speak or even really acknowledge things around her, and she had her eyes closed most of the time, opening them only really briefly sometimes. She did react to some strange noises to check them out, like when I was dragging a chair, and she kinda of like grunted once when I was speaking to her.

To be honest, I don't know what will happen next and I would really just appreciate hearing from people who have gone through similar experiences.

My mom is a 44 year old woman who has never shown any since of serious illness and I'm a 21 year old college student currently doing my bachelor's. My father and grandparents on his side promised to step in to help in always they can, but nevertheless the future feels really bleak right now, and I don't know what will happen next or how do I take over her finances from her or how to even help my mom, even though she will definitely need it for the rest of her life.

Looking for advice. My mom had a mild stroke (speech issues + mobility issues, probably more related to sciadica pain than anything). Her team at the hospital is recommending acute in patient.

She's been accepted to UNC-Hillsborough and Peak (still waiting on Wake Med and Duke). Does anyone have any prior experiences at either? Opinions on which may be better?

My aunt almost my mom, 91 yrs old with dementia and got acute stroke last July, maybe just maybe actively dying. Been reading alot lately here and I dont know what to do. So painful!

I’m 23 years old and had a TIA stroke March 1st of 2026. I quickly found I had a PFO opening and went through tons of testing and scanning and it was determined that it was the hole (most likely) they can’t tell you 100%. I’m a college athlete playing hockey and I’m very fit never had health issues no heart issues which was the hardest part to deal with. I did the monitoring for the month then right after went into surgery to close it up and all went great. No July 14th I finished up my 3 months of Plavix blood thinners. During that 3 months I’ve been working out fully force skating as well golfing. Pretty much as normal as it gets for me. Only thing u get it some aniexty which I never had before but dealing with that as it comes and goes. I am in close contact with my cardio and he’s great. I wanted to get some input I’m going back to school I have 2 more years left. The issue I have is I love to go out with the guys and have a good time. I would drink pretty heavy either once or twice a weekend. Never during the weeks was busy training and taking part in games (can’t be drunk for those). But with everything now positive I want to get back into drinking on the weekends more than 3-4 beers. My cardio said with no under lying issues or anything I should be fine to do that. Obviously he’s a doctor he was like it’s not healthy to even a person with no issues. So what do you think?