Stroke: Brain Assault -- Suggestions, Encouragement and Exercises to Help You or Your Loved One Overcome the Effects of a Stroke [Paperback]

Madelina A. Depaz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 1577330749 | ISBN-13: 978-1577330745 | Edition: 1st

"Stroke: Brain Assault" is the story of one woman's experience of an aneurysm stroke. The book chronicles the years following her stroke and provides techniques she used in her recovery. This book is for people who love or work with someone who has suffered a stroke. It is also for people who have the tenacity and desire to affect their own stroke recovery. Frame of mind is very important--focus on the future instead of mourning what's been lost, and make efforts, no matter how small, that bring back independence. "Stroke: Brain Assault" outlines: the components of the brain and nervous system; different types of strokes; and treatment and recovery exercises. The author, Madelina DePaz, worked as a nuclear engineer for General Dynamics Corporation, and has B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering, and more recently an M.B.A. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She lives in Virginia Beach, VA, and in southern California.

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About the Author

Madelina Agawin DePaz worked as a nuclear engineer for General Dynamics Corporation after schooling, training, and certification. She received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila and a Master of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. Recently, Ms. DePaz received her Master of Business Administration degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Hartford, Connecticut.

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4 - Challenge the Paradigm

For seven months, I was in two hospitals and a health care center. I was released to my friend's house, and for the first time, I felt alone and inept. I could no longer do anything I used to do. It appeared that my life was over. I looked at myself and realized that I had to do something. I was existing, but that was all. I had to come to terms with that reality, and from there on I had to finalize my intention of going on with my life.

A couple of years later, inch by inch, I learned to read and write again. I felt I recovered the handling of my personal and business accounts. I could do simple math and understand the basics of my business. Tom was amazed. I regained control of the basic needs. Later on, he requested the court, in writing, to review the need for my conservatorship since he felt I had been restored to capacity. The probate court set a date to schedule a hearing and finally, the court affirmed Tom's request. As a conservator his responsibility cannot be overstated. It was based on trust, confidence, and good faith from both of us. The profit, gain, or benefit in the management of my estate shows the degree of his competency.

The stroke presented me with a difficult aftermath. Due to the stroke, my whole life changed. I used to run or walk outdoors several times a week, alternating with aerobics and Nordic track because the activities relaxed me. But since then, every phase of my active existence had to be rebuilt. Self-range of motion is maintained to avoid muscle pain, stiffness, and abnormal muscle tone. In addition to mobilization for daily activities.

For the shoulders, I raise and shrug the shoulders. For the lateral bending of the shoulder or abduction, I cradle the arms, raise it to shoulder level and move it from side to side. For the flexion or bending of the shoulder, I raise the arm over the head. For the rotation of the shoulder, I push the elbow away from the body. For the extension and flexion of the elbow, I cross the arms, touch the chin, and stretch the elbow all the way. For the forearm supination (facing upward) and pronation (facing downward), I turn the palm and bend the wrist back and forth. For the ulna-radius wrist (bone of the forearm), I grip the palm and move it side to side. For the finger flexion and extension, I straighten the fingers and bend them into the palm making a fist. For the thumb abduction, I spread the thumb and the index finger. And finally, for the finger abduction, I spread all the fingers apart and back together. I do each exercise once a day on the count of ten (10).

The doctor at the health care center recommended the use of a cane if I wuld like to start walking. But, the cane cannot give me a feeling of security. It seems I can fall easily with a cane. I do not trust the implement and I do not want to depend on a "foreign hand." I cannot walk with a cane because I need my only hand to do important things necessary for my day-to-day subsistence. Something has got to give. The cane had to go.

I worked on my body balance. If I could stand steadily for a few minutes, I could handle the balance. I walked holding a cane without touching the floor. I was determined to make it work although my left leg would buckle donw at times. Each day, I walked a little father with the cane off the floor, until I felt confident. Because my right leg is paralyzed, I have to be aware of the direction of my right foot.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Blue Dolphin Publishing; 1st edition (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577330749
• ISBN-13: 978-1577330745
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,853,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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