Hi.  Just had some questions about moya moya.  I'm not a stroke victim.  Just wondering how many of you have struggled with possible post-traumatic stress disorder since your stroke.  Has having a stroke affected your ability to keep a job and keep your home organized and clutter free.  Would appreciate your responses greatly.

mch

Moira:  Thanks very much for your feedback.

mch

Hi Mch,

Welcome to our moyamoya family.

My brother had a significant stroke a couple of years before being diagnosed with MM. He also had multiple cerebral infarcts and a hemmorrage. At one point he could not speak nor did he have abstract thinking ability. Without abstract thinking one can not read or watch TV or go to a movie or drive a car because it makes no sense. For instance, my brother asked me what happy birthday means. I think you get the picture.

My brother is probably one of the extremes. Not everyone with MM experiences a stroke because they get diagnosed and treated early and some that do experience a stroke do not necessarily experience a dibiltating stroke with lasting effects. That being said, my brother went through speech and abstract thinking therapy and is doing VERY WELL. He can speak and he now can read and watch TV. His problem is the lack of concentration and he gets confused. Again, it is different for everyone. My brother owned a residential and commercial garage door company and was a pilot. It goes without saying he will never fly another aircraft and he no longer has his own company. As for clutter, he is very good about putting things away. However, he might not remember where he put it. 

The thing to remember is what Moira and Trina mentioned. There is life after MM. My brother walks and uses a treadmill. He is very adament about working hard at being as normal as possible and independent as possible and as I mentioned earlier, he is doing extremely well. It's amazing to me but I also believe it depends on the individual and the severity of the stroke and a persons mindset and great will and determination. We have a saying at our house.. "You can get busy living or you can get busy dying". My brother has not only been very fortunate but is very determined to do all the things he used to do and then some. I say kudos to him for his perseverance and strong will to stay positive througout his MM experience.  I tell him he is like a Timex watch....he "takes a licking and keeps on ticking. "

As Moira and Trina mentioned, we are here to support you.  Please ask any questions.

Lore