As we enter 2019 and Amanda heads towards the second anniversary of her stroke, she continues to make constant improvements and shows clear signs her brain healing is ongoing. I also wonder if a recent diabetes diagnosis may actually be having a positive benefit. There was a 4 week gap between the blood test, which […]
Amanda recently had to have surgery for something not linked to her stroke in any way and she wishes to keep private. But it highlighted two things. Firstly, she had to have a blood test. The doctor suggested using her affected right arm as she wouldn’t feel the needle. But she clearly did. We discussed […]
Firstly the down… Amanda fell over for the first time since her stroke exactly 19 months ago. It has always amazed me that even when she was learning to stand up and walk, she never once toppled or lost her balance. But for some reason which she cannot remember her affected leg somehow caught the […]
Over the last few weeks there have been a few more noticeable milestones. In the life of anyone not recovering from a stroke they would be insignificant. But when an action, reaction or emotion suddenly reappears after being absent for more than 18 months, their re – appearance is literally remarkable. Firstly an incident which […]
It’s now 20 months since Amanda’s stroke, and way past the point where the so-called ‘Plateau’ effect means she should have stopped improving or at least slowed down significantly. But with the benefit of two daily Voluntastrols capsules, as the only thing consumed in addition to a normal healthy diet and the regular challenging tasks […]
This weekend we celebrated 35 years of marriage. Amanda made sure she remembered the anniversary by passing me a card at 1.30 a.m. – while she thought of it She then slept in until 9.30 a.m. on Saturday morning. I asked if she had been asleep all that time. “Well, I was asleep until I […]
I’ve realised the gaps between these posts are getting longer. So does that mean Amanda’s recovery is slowing down? I don’t think so. But the more she heads back towards ‘normal’ the harder it becomes to notice improvements since they are often so subtle I only realise after a few days that yet another pre-stroke […]
Amanda’s aphasia continues to play tricks with her brain even as recovery continues. But she is winning the battle. Each morning she takes 2 Voluntastrols capsules; opened and sprinkled over hot porridge with trim milk and manuka honey. It’s still hard to believe the active ingredients in these capsules; 1000mg of what looks like […]
Amanda is now 18 months post – stroke. Her daily routine has switched completely from the same one she had for more than 10 years. But routine continues to be important. Routine gives her confidence and allows her to regain her skills and allows me to measure progress and compare her speed or the complexity […]
Amanda is now into month 17 of her stroke recovery and month 3 of taking 2 Voluntastrols capsules each day – and recovery still continues. I’m now opening the capsules and mixing the contents with her breakfast porridge. For her this is easier than swallowing them and just turns the porridge purple. As well as […]
