Through the Eyes of a Survivor - Stroke

By Brian Maram

Find out more about stroke through the eyes of a survivor. See life from their perspective, looking from the inside out, and understand the things they do. Some of what you will read is not available in any other books.
When a stroke reveals its ugly head, it does so with vengeance and at an alarmingly fast speed. Changing the lives of everyone close to the survivor. It strikes so fast that no one has the chance to plan for the future. It is usually the immediate family and partners that are thrown in at the deep end, and they ultimately land up, taking on the unrewarding role of caregiver.
Remember, none of you has any formal training and you typically dive in headfirst without giving it a second thought. Caregiving is one of the toughest jobs you will ever encounter. It's demanding and unrewarding. But when there are rewards, they are huge, and it makes it all worthwhile. Caregiving does not adhere to standard working hours, it's a twenty-four-seven job.
At times, you may feel as if you have bitten off more than you can chew. Without help and no warning, you may struggle to stay afloat. Caring for a survivor informally is a role taken on out of love, unconditional love for the survivor. Few relationships can endure this extreme challenge.
The author, an 11-year-plus post-stroke survivor, wrote this book to help enlighten those informal caregivers on what to expect. His tips will help you make things easier for both of you. You will have a better understanding of why they do certain things and he helps you to prepare for the unexpected.
Find out ways to help the survivor and make things easier for them and yourself. Surviving a stroke can test everyone's limits.
Find out what each therapist does and why it's so important that they attend all those therapy sessions.
Are support groups for you? Learn more about them and how they can help you. Let off some steam before having to resort to boxing gloves.

Confused by the language the doctors are speaking? Don't be. His layperson's explanations of the Neuro terminology will help you understand their language. Those blank stares will be something of the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian Maram
• Release date: Oct 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9780620996341

Brian Maram

At forty-six, the author survived a life-changing, near-fatal haemorrhagic stroke to the Pons area of his Brainstem. The devastation left behind in its wake of destruction was inconceivable. At the time of his stroke, in 2011, Brian and his family felt isolated, as there were no easy reference books to turn to for help and they had no one to confide in. This was all foreign to them, as they had never been exposed to stroke before. With nobody to consult, the family was not prepared for the emotional turmoil that was to follow. After a rollercoaster encounter, and scraping shoulders with death. His life turned upside down and to the medical paternity, he was now known as a young stroke survivor. After a brief time, Brian found himself abandoned and alone, forcing him to face the mammoth task of recovering by himself.

Book preview

Copyright

THROUGH THE EYES OF A SURVIVOR - STROKE

Copyright © 2022 Brian Maram

First edition 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity

ISBN 978-0-620-99634-1

Self-Published by: Brian Maram

Website: www.neuvare.com

Cover designed by: Brian Maram

E-mail: [e-mail]

Dedication

To my loving children Thank you for your encouragement and patience, I would never have achieved my dream without your support.

Disclaimer

THIS BOOK IS A WORK of non-fiction and is intended to provide accurate information in regards to the subject matter covered. The content is based on factual information provided to and by the author, and any similarities to other individuals, real, fictional, dead or alive are purely coincidental.

This book is not intended to be used, nor should it be used, to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. The editor, publisher and author are not responsible for any specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision and are not liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application or preparation, to any person reading or following the information in this book. Neither is this book intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his/her/their health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

This book is designed based on the author’s personal experience and is meant to provide information and motivation to its readers. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and author are not engaged to render any type of medical, psychological, legal, or any other kind of professional advice. The content is the sole expression and opinion of its author and publisher. Neither the editor, publisher nor the author shall be liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, financial, or commercial damages, including, but not limited to, special, incidental, consequential or other damages. Our views and rights are the same: You are responsible for your own choices, actions, and results.

The author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage or disruption caused by information, errors or omissions, whether such information, errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.

Table Of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

Disclaimer

Preface

Acknowledgement

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

Preface

IF YOU ARE READING this book, you have either survived a life-changing stroke or you know someone who has.

Inevitably, the family will be overjoyed that their loved one survived such a horrendous ordeal. Little do they realise how unprepared they are for the complex flood of emotions the survivor is about to undergo.

Surviving a stroke is the easy part, but the life-changing ordeal that is about to follow will ultimately put the entire family through one of hell's more definitive tests. As you embark on this new unpredictable journey, the life you once knew is about to end, and the one that lies ahead of you is a life you could never have imagined. With no instruction manuals to guide you through this treacherous journey, you will find yourself having to wing it as you go.

The author, a stroke survivor himself, survived a deadly haemorrhage in the pons area of his brainstem. From that dreadful moment, the lives of his close-knit family were changed forever. No one was prepared for the mystifying flood of emotions that were about to be set into motion.

At the time of a stroke, sections of the brain are deprived of life saving oxygen, causing brain cells to die. Changes in behaviour are a reflection of such trauma. The most troublesome behaviour you will encounter is their sudden change in personality.

Acknowledgement

"I WOULD LIKE TO THANK my children and therapists without whose dedicated help and support