That day started like any other but by lunchtime, I was fighting for my very life. A stroke is like that. You don’t see it coming.
There was nothing to do but let nature take its course – no guarantees I’d live much less return to full health. So, be prepared to travel through the terror and frustration of paralysis to a place of peace and gratitude where life meets hope.
This story is written to offer encouragement to stroke survivors, hope to family members and caretakers, understanding to medical professionals, or anyone interested in knowing what it’s like to be Trapped Within your own body.
Table of Content
INTRODUCTION
Preface
Foreword
Prologue
PART ONE – The Race Against Time
Chapter 1 The Promise
Chapter 2 Suddenly Life Changes
Chapter 3 Seconds Count
Chapter 4 I Think I’m Having a Stroke
Chapter 5 No Guarantees
PART TWO – Adjusting to Life in Rehab
Chapter 6 Teflon Daze
Chapter 7 If Truth Be Told
Chapter 8 Try, Try Again
Chapter 9 On the Count of Three
Chapter 10 Moving Day
Chapter 11 New Routine Come Morning
PART THREE – Coming to Terms
Chapter 12 Reclaiming All That’s Shattered
Chapter 13 Recalibrating the Big Six
Chapter 14 What a Mess I’m In
Chapter 15 Don’t Tell Me I’m Still Me
Chapter 16 The Face-Off
PART FOUR – Breaking Free
Chapter 17 Had Enough
Chapter 18 THEM
Chapter 19 Wheel Invisible
Chapter 20 Manners Be Damned!
Chapter 21 CPR for the Soul
Chapter 22 Last Day on the Mat
PART FIVE – The Search for Self
Chapter 23 Good-Byes Are Never Easy
Chapter 24 Repelled by the Familiar
Chapter 25 Lie Very, Very Still
Chapter 26 Think about It
Chapter 27 Why Now?
Chapter 28 Early Morning Visitor
Chapter 29 The Trek to Elsewhere
PART SIX – Transitions to a New Normal
Chapter 30 The Gift
Chapter 31 The Calendar is Filling Fast
Chapter 32 Who’s in Charge?
Chapter 33 Curls and Cowlicks
Chapter 34 Independence Day
PART SEVEN – :Lessons Learned
Chapter 35 Living as a Stroke Survivor
Chapter 36 Every Body’s Different
Chapter 37 Don’t Give Up
RESOURCES
A Personal Note
Other Books
Spread the Word
Keep in Touch
Stroke Information