Kandi W.
Friday, February 24, 2012
By: Kandi Wiles

Survivor

MY STROKE, MY GIFT

My journey from then to now

From the beginning I felt this was a gift. Perhaps a strange thing to say and I don't quite know how this will play out, but this journey has been an amazing education for me and I feel so blessed. Here is my story:

My stroke occurred on October 2, 2010. I experienced two TIAs the night before the stroke. I did not understand what was happening with the TIAs and everything returned to normal very quickly. For that reason and because I did not have health insurance, I chose to ignore the symptoms. Prior to the stroke I was a massage therapist for eighteen years so I have some knowledge of the muscular skeletal system. I loved every day of my work and each of my patients. At fifty-eight, my health was considered good. I exercised and ate nutritionally, my blood pressure and blood sugar were borderline, and my cholesterol was within range. The stroke was a complete surprise! The days and months since the stroke have been quite a learning experience. I was now "disabled," a word which was not in my vocabulary. In the beginning they told me there would be limited or no use of my left side. I now have good range of motion in my arm and some movement in my fingers. Walking was a struggle and I still have issues, but we are working on them. Another unexpected effect was the inability to stop crying or simply crying at the drop of a hat. I was told that was just part of the stroke and that I would have to live with it. Fortunately, that issue has improved as well.

Searching the internet for treatments, I found they were using the hyperbaric oxygen chamber with positive results. Since the use of a chamber is not yet approved by the FDA for stroke victims, locating a chamber that would allow me to use it for my stroke was difficult. I finally found one and had sixty-two sessions which helped tremendously.

I have had phenomenal support from family and friends and people in the medical field. I don't know what the future holds, but I have set goals and would like to continue my education as a health coach and nutrition counselor to educate others. I feel my stroke is a gift to give others. Not only to educate, but to share with them my experiences - good and bad. I want them to know they are not alone and that having a stroke is not the end, it can be the beginning to a new life.