gerr1963

I had a stroke in May 2003. It was from a blood clot that formed on my mechanical heart valve, it was a mild stroke. I am a 40yr old female with a teenage son.

The stroke affected my left side, therefore my left leg gets "CRAZY nd JUMPY" as I call it..Its rather annoying, my left hand does not work properly, Typing this post is difficult. It takes alot of concentration and its frustrating at times. Most times I give up. Thank God for Spell Check. I drp things. I seem to lose my grasp, even on things as silly paper. Organization is diffucult for me. I have shoer term memory lose.I can remember something from 20 yrs ago very clearly, but have trouble remembering things from yesterday. Its nuts. I cannot pronounce large words. I find my thouhgts are scrambled and unorganized. I know what I want to say, it just comes out backwards. Sounds like my speech is garbled. and very hard for others to follow our conversation. Of course the ones who know I ahd a stroke, never say a word to me, but I can tell they dont understand or follow my words.I seem to stutter alot.When I eat anything that is hard to cut, moslty meats, it is very difficult, whrn I sm done cutting the food is mutilated. Its embarassing. When I am out with my family they all want to help, but its hard to let your 16 yr old son, or your 65 yr old Mother cut your food like a child. I also drool from the left side of my mouth, which has caused me to accquire a contstant sore on my mouth.

I know these problems seem small l compared to others who have had a stroke, but to me its a BIG problem. I am only 40 yrs old and feel 80 when I cannot accomplish these small tasks.

Do the residual affects ever get better?

Gerr1963