David Lamm
Update 10/8/2005
Well it has now been 15 weeks since my stroke and things are going great. Physically I have accomplished a few things I never had done before my stroke. I not aware of any major physical obstacles but I still have work to do for my balance and endurance. Mentally I feel good. After the return to work this week I sense I am fatiguing easier than normal. I still am at a point where the stroke occurrence occupies my mind every hour of every day; but only time will heel that.
I am concerned about taking Plavix for the rest of my like - ultimately it has to have some long term side effect but my wife and I will explore that in a year.
What I have really done in the last month is to "embrace" having a stroke; it is now something I talk about openly and share information with people. Good luck to everyone in the recovery mode today and future stroke survivors- "attitude is everything".
Original story:
It has been 7 weeks since my stroke occurred- June 28, 2005. I was sleeping when it hit. I woke up to go work and I discovered I was to dizzy to shave. I went back to bed with hopes of sleeping it off. That failed so I called 2 work (IT Program manager - AAA) associates to spread the word that I will not be in and I notice my speech was slightly slurred (sounded like I was tipsy from alcohol). My wife (Lisa) had the smarts to drive me to the ER after see noticed that I could not walk or see straight.
We were fortunate because the Hospital was 3 miles away. I went to Hospital because I accepted the fact that they will probably release me and say I have some type of virus. Well learning I had a stroke was tough - I had completed my physical 6 months early with no major issues. That first night I was concerned with 2 things 1) fixing my blurred vision 2) finding out why I had the stroke? It took a few days for my vision to correct itself and after 3 ultrasounds, 2 CAT scans, and 2 MRIs it was determined that a clot in my brainstem area caused my stroke. So far a reason for the clot has not been found; I have been told by the neurologist that is the case 40% of the time. I do not have any of the stroke risk factors so going forward I am taking Plavix and Niaspan (Raise my good cholesterol - HDL). It is frustrating not to find an answer to cause, but I have come to terms with it.
I feel unlucky and lucky at the same time; unlucky in having a stroke and lucky in having it be so mild. Two days after the stroke I was confident that I would recovery fully. I was anxious to start rehab. I was in rehab at the Hospital for 12 days. It took me a while to adjust to the Hospital; I just wanted to go home and spend time with Lisa and my kids (Lauren - 9 & John 7). I actually missed by son's birthday party; it was tough.
Currently, I am doing rehab at home. Physically I am confident I will return to 100% - I have been jogging for a week now. My balanced is much improved but not a 100% yet. Mentally the cognitive processing is improved, but not 100% yet. It feels closer to normal when my mind is taxed then it did 4 weeks ago. I will go back to work full-time when I am 100% recovered; the target is 10/1/05. Currently, my career is with the California State Automobile Association (CSAA) as an IT Program Manager. Everyone from CSAA has been supportive and I appreciate that.
Having a stroke has reminded what is important in life - my beautiful & caring wife Lisa and kids. I feel good about my past and future relationship with them. Also, our community friends were awesome providing support and meals. After reading so many stroke stories I feel blessed with just a mild stroke.
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