Stroke Survivor: My Three New Years - 7th Year Strokeversary Edition

Stroke Survivor: My Three New Years - 7th Year Strokeversary Edition

This is an update to the first 3 notes I first wrote about on Facebook in 2014, 2016 and 2017. My

“Three New Years” all occur in January. They are the traditional New Year, my birthday, and my stroke anniversary, a.k.a. strokeversary or re-birthday - on the 1st, 6th, and 20th of January respectively.

1) On the first day of the year on the modern day Gregorian calendar, I joined billions around the world in that ritual of shedding the old, while welcoming the new. As usual, I had many blessings to count - including life and limb; health and wellness. I had a roof over my head, nourishment, access to many luxuries and a job to help provide those things. More than most, I enjoy the love of family and the support of friends. As in recent years, I committed to 4 New Year's resolutions:

• Renewed focus on health and wellness (committing to try and lose 7-10 pounds this year by increasing my exercise levels and better managing my nutrition).
• Helping others by volunteering, paying forward my blessings, mentoring others, and spreading the word about health and wellness.
• Becoming better organized by being punctual, organizing my physical spaces, and decluttering my mind.
• Committing to self-development by learning new subjects, becoming better at learning Spanish, acquiring new skills, and exploring / mapping out an educational program that leads to a terminal degree. I am also in the process of writing 3 books, and hope to complete at least one of them this year.

I've struggled with the 3rd the most, but I'm glad I bit the bullet last year and learned about decluttering from Marie Kondo, conducted a decluttering session with the lady who now cleans my home monthly, and her husband, and maintained my home to the point where I became a first time Airbnb Superhost.

2) On January 6th, I celebrated my second New Year. Being so close to the more

popular New Year, it's always offered me an opportunity to re-calibrate the commitments I made five days earlier. This also marked the 20th anniversary of my dear Mommy’s calling to be with the Lord. It offered yet another opportunity to reflect upon the values she instilled upon her seven sons, and the example she set by her faith, words and deeds. As I remember the eulogy I gave at her funeral in 1999, some of the lasting memories I recall were that of her selflessness in serving those who were less fortunate than her. She was a devoted member of the St. Piran's Church (Jos, Plateau State) Choir, served her country on a major Nigerian financial services board - National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND), regularly visited prisons, helped beleaguered women and children, helped countless relatives, housegirls and houseboys (household help) attend school and establish meaningful careers, volunteered with the Red Cross, serving as Plateau State Chair, chaperoned many a young bride through the protocols of her wedding day, child birth and child-rearing, all the while regularly giving to the needy - Christian and Moslem alike. She was absolutely the best mother in the world, bar none!

3)

I finish writing this as my beloved New England Patriots have just played in their 8th straight AFC Championship game in football, and having won, are headed to our 4th Superbowl in 5 years. Talk about perseverance and a culture of excellence. This evening 7 years ago on what would have been my late brother Yakubu's 45th birthday, I suffered a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), a.k.a "Stroke" after arriving home from work. 2 years ago, I mustered the courage to visit Norwood Hospital to obtain records of my hospitalization, so I could better understand what I presented at the ER. Without going into too much boring detail, I was a 41 year old "Nigerian/African/young/pleasant male" (yes, these were all descriptions in the notes) with no history other than GI disease. I was a social drinker, and a pack-a-day (conservatively, I’d say) smoker). It was noted that I had a family history of stroke, given that Dada (my dad) had suffered a stroke (in Jos, Nigeria) at age 54, from which he never recovered, dying 3 days later. Additional history that I reported noted also that mommy had died (also in Jos, Nigeria) at age 57 from a brain tumor, and that our youngest brother Timothy also had been diagnosed with a brain tumor (which was successfully surgically treated in London in December, 2008). We thank Almighty God every day for Timothy’s life, and for the intervention of our late Aunt Elizabeth Pam in helping to ensure that he received the very best care befitting of her late little sister’s “baby.”

The official cause of my stroke? It wasn’t immediately apparent. I was transported by the Walpole Fire Department Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and presented at the Norwood Hospital ER between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m., having called EMS to report that I felt I was having a stroke. In the ER, I exhibited signs of a right brain stroke, with left side weakness ranked on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) scale as a 2.0, which was relatively low. I had demonstrated some strength in my left lower extremities, as well as my left upper extremities. This development, along with the time that had elapsed, essentially took me outside the window for administration of TPA, a clot-busting drug administered to stroke patients within 3 hours or so of showing stroke symptoms. The ER physician and the on-call neurologist consulted with the Stroke Team at Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital where I’d been a patient, and the determination was that outside of the time period, TPA administration would be considered “off-label use.” After an initial set of lab and radiological exams, I was administered Aspirin, Lisinopril and Simvastatin (drugs that act as a blood thinner, high blood pressure treatment, and cholesterol lowering respectively), then admitted into the Cardiology Unit 33 for ongoing observation and telemetry. Thereafter, by 5 a.m., I’d gotten worse, losing all movement in both my upper and lower extremities, but “there was nothing the could do.”

It took a while thereafter following an X-Ray, CT-Scan, MRI, and finally a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) on the second day at Norwood Hospital, to determine the official cause of my stroke. The TEE confirmed a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), also known as a hole in the heart as the cause. We’re all born with one, but it closes naturally in about 90% of the population (read more from my note “We Are the 10%” here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/musa...). My PFO remained open, and thus allowed a blood clot to travel to my brain, bypassing the lungs and causing a clot in a part of my brain called Corona Radiata. My dad, a.k.a. Dada suffered a similar fate in March 1989, but sadly, did not make it. This is why when I took a nap after experiencing stroke symptoms that I hadn't recognized, I believe HE woke me up and guided me to call 911 from my home phone (enabling paramedics to immediately ascertain my address without me having to talk much). For this reason, I consider myself as having received a new lease on life on January 20th, 2012. I've chronicled my journey towards recovery on social media spaces, and appreciate all the words of encouragement and offers of support from one and all as you’ve tolerated all my posts and updates.

This year in particular, I want to continue to bust the myth of the 2-Year Plateau when it comes to Stroke recovery. It refers to the notion that one gains as much movement and function in 2 years, as one is going to get, and then one hits a plateau. Nothing tangible supposedly comes after this. This proud stroke survivor and son of Plateau State, Nigeria says “No Can Do!” to that, and Amen to God’s miracles in my life that have seen me through one adversity after another, given me the will to live and love, and enabled me to spread the word and hopefully helping others along the way.

Since my stroke, I’ve been blessed with having recorded the following highlights/improvements, thanks to the incredible help and support of my healthcare providers, family and friends who pushed me and cheered me on. To able-bodied folks, these may seem like nothing, but to a stroke survivor coping with disability or facing uncertainty, they can mean a lot:

• Improved my core strength, leg strength, and arm strength
• Lost 65-80lbs since my stroke
• Vastly improved on my Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
• Logged my food and beverage caloric intake on Myfitnesspal for 1,923 straight days
• Visited and worked out at the Answer is Fitness - Foxboro, MA gym over 700 times since my stroke
• Opening the refrigerator and round door knobs in the house using only my left hand
• Effortlessly cutting/chopping vegetables on a cutting board, without assistance.
• Operating the windshield wiper and turn signals in my car with my left hand
• Able to bench press weights
• Reached and exceeded a personal best of 100 pushups https://www.facebook.com/musa.pam/v...
• Reached a personal milestone of 4.2 mph on the treadmill at the gym https://www.facebook.com/musa.pam/v...
• Installed two window air conditioners mostly one handed, amongst other home improvement projects
• Became champion of the Sanders (Net) Division in the 2017 North American One Armed Golfers Association (NAOAGA) Golf Tournament, in MI, whose motto is “Never Quit!”
• Named 2017 Massachusetts Maritime Academy Alumnus of the Year.
• Recorded over 100 patient visits of fellow stroke survivors as a peer visitor at Boston’s famed Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital where I was a patient
• Played in my alumni soccer games at my alma mater, Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• Received 16 rounds of quarterly Botox injections over 4 years to help combat muscular stiffness or spasticity on my left side before discontinuing

         Twitter: @survivedstroke

    Instagram: @onearmedgolfchamp

Stroke Survivor: My Three New Years, Five-Year Strokeversary Edition

Stroke Survivor: My Three New Years - Third Edition, Five-Year Strokeversary Edition

MUSA PAM·SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2017

This is an update to the first two notes I first wrote about in 2014 and 2016. My

“Three New Years” all occur in January. They are the traditional New Year, my birthday, and my stroke anniversary, a.k.a. strokeversary or re-birthday - on the first, sixth and twentieth respectively.

1) On the first day of the year on the modern day Gregorian calendar, I joined billions around the world in that ritual of shedding the old, while welcoming the new. As usual, I had many blessings to count - including life and limb; health and wellness. I had a roof over my head, nourishment, access to many luxuries and a job to help provide those things. More than most, I enjoy the love of family and the support of friends. This year, I also welcomed the opportunity for other new beginnings as my fifth resolution.

2) On January 6th, I celebrated my second New Year. Being so close to the more popular New Year, it's always offered me an opportunity to re-calibrate the commitments I made five days earlier. This also marked the eighteenth anniversary of my dear Mommy’s calling to be with the Lord. It offered yet another opportunity to reflect upon the values she instilled upon her seven sons, and the example she set by her faith, words and deeds. As I remember the eulogy I gave at her funeral in 1999, some of the lasting memories I recall were that of her selflessness in serving those who were less fortunate than her. She was a devoted member of the St. Piran's Church (Jos, Plateau State) Choir, served her country on a major Nigerian financial services board - National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND), regularly visited prisons, helped beleaguered women and children, helped countless relatives, housegirls and houseboys (household help) attend school and establish meaningful careers, volunteered with the Red Cross, serving as Plateau State Chair, chaperoned many a young bride through the protocols of her wedding day, child birth and child-rearing, all the while regularly giving to the needy - Christian and Moslem alike. She was absolutely the best mother in the world.

3) On this evening five years ago, I suffered a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), a.k.a "Stroke" after arriving home from work. This year, I mustered the courage to visit Norwood Hospital to obtain records of my hospitalization, so I could better understand what I presented at the ER. Without going into too much boring detail, I was a 41 year old Nigerian/African/young/pleasant male (yes, these were all descriptions in the notes) with no history other than GI disease. I was a social drinker, and a pack-a-day (conservatively, I’d say) smoker). It was noted that I had a family history of stroke, given that Dada (my dad) had suffered a stroke (in Jos, Nigeria) at age 55, from which he never recovered, dying 3 days later. Additional history that I reported noted also that mommy had died (also in Jos, Nigeria) at age 57 from a brain tumor, and that our youngest brother Timothy also had been diagnosed with a brain tumor (which was successfully surgically treated in London in December, 2008). We thank Almighty God every day for Timothy’s life, and for the intervention of our late Aunt Elizabeth Pam in ensuring that he received the very best care befitting of her late little sister’s “baby.”

The official cause of my stroke? It wasn’t immediately apparent. I was transported by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and presented at the ER between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m., having called EMS to report that I felt I was having a stroke. In the ER, I exhibited signs of a right brain stroke, with left side weakness ranked on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) scale as a 2.0, which was relatively low. I had demonstrated some strength in my left lower extremities, as well as my left upper extremities. This development, along with the time that had elapsed, essentially took me outside the window for administration of TPA, a clot-busting drug administered to stroke patients within 3 hours or so of showing stroke symptoms. The ER physician and the on-call neurologist consulted with the Stroke Team at Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital where I’d been a patient, and the determination was that outside of the time period, TPA administration would be considered “off-label use.” After an initial set of lab and radiological exams, I was administered Aspirin, Lisinopril and Simvistatin (drugs that act as a blood thinner, high blood pressure treatment, and cholesterol lowering respectively), then admitted into the Cardiology Unit 33 for ongoing observation and telemetry. Thereafter, by 5 a.m., I’d gotten worse, losing all movement in both my upper and lower extremities, but “there was nothing the could do.”

It took a while thereafter at Norwood Hospital following an X-Ray, CT-Scan, MRI, and finally a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) on the second day, to determine the official cause of my stroke. The TEE confirmed a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), also known as a hole in the heart as the cause. We’re all born with one, but it closes naturally in about 90% of the population (read more from my note “We Are the 10%” here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/musa...). My PFO remained open, and thus allowed a blood clot to travel to my brain, bypassing the lungs and causing a clot in a part of my brain called Corona Radiata. My dad, a.k.a. Dada suffered a similar fate in March 1989, but sadly, did not make it. This is why when I took a nap after experiencing stroke symptoms that I hadn't recognized, I believe HE woke me up and guided me to call 911 from my home phone (enabling paramedics to immediately ascertain my address without me having to talk much). For this reason, I consider myself as having received a new lease on life on January 20th, 2012. I've chronicled my journey towards recovery on these Facebook spaces, and appreciate all the words of encouragement and offers of support from all of you as you’ve tolerated all my posts and updates.

This year in particular, I want to continue to bust the myth of the Two-Year Plateau when it comes to Stroke recovery. It refers to the notion that one gains as much movement and function in two years, as one is going to get, and then one hits a plateau. Nothing tangible supposedly comes after this. This proud stroke survivor and son of Plateau State, Nigeria says “No Can Do!” to that, and Amen to God’s miracles in my life that have seen me through one adversity after another, given me the will to live and love, and enabled me to spread the word and hopefully helping others along the way.

Since my stroke, I’ve been blessed with recording the following highlights/improvements. To able-bodied folks, they may seem like nothing, but to a stroke survivor coping with disability or facing uncertainty, they can mean a lot:

•         Lost 80lbs since my stroke
• Visited and worked out at the Answer is Fitness - Foxboro, MA gym 499 times since my stroke

Often the #LastOneOut of an empty gym after working out and #BreakingASweat

• 
  
• Opening the refrigerator and round door knobs in the house using only my left hand
• Effortlessly cutting/chopping vegetables on a cutting board, without assistance.
• Operating the windshield wiper and turn signals in my car with my left hand
• Reached and exceeded a personal best of 100 pushups https://www.facebook.com/musa.pam/v...
• Reached a personal milestone of 4.2 mph on the treadmill at the gym https://www.facebook.com/musa.pam/v...
• Installed two window air conditioners with mostly one hand

Stoked to come

within 6 inches of my first ever hole-in-one on the Par 3 6th hole at Brookmeadow Country Club, Canton, MA

Stages of a one-handed golf swing at Brookmeadow Country Club, Canton, MA

·        

1.         

• Made the playoffs in the unassisted division in my first year of playing in the North American One Armed Golfers Association (NAOAGA) Golf Tournament, in RI, whose motto is “Never Quit!”
•         
• Recorded approximately 32 patient visits of fellow stroke survivors at Boston’s famed Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
• ·        
• Played in my first alumni soccer game at my alma mater, Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• ·        
• Received the 16th round of quarterly Botox injections over 4
• years to help combat muscular stiffness or spasticity on my left side

I have traditionally had four New Year’s resolutions in the past few years. This year, I added a fifth. They are:

1.       Improved Health and Wellness: I’m proud to have lost 79 lbs since I started tracking my weight loss. I’ve committed to a lifestyle that shuns complacency and sedentary tendencies. I’ll continue to aim to walk at least 5,000 steps on non-gym days (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays), and 10,000 on gym days (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), as recorded on my Fitbit Flex, with a day of rest on Sundays. I’ll continue to log my meals on MyFitnessPal, and proud to have logged in my meals for 1,173 days in a row! Last but not least, I use the Withings smart Body Analyzer Scale, which communicates seamlessly with My Fitness Pal and Fitbit. As the famous saying by Jack Welch or others goes: “You cannot manage what you cannot measure.”

2.      Becoming Organized: Organization takes on many forms, and in my case, I aim to become better organized in terms of physical organization of my home, office and car, scheduling and planning.

3.      Pay It Forward and Help Others: I’m blessed to be in a position to volunteer as a Stroke Peer Visitor at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, gaining immense joy from being able to regularly visit with and talk to patients who are also stroke survivors and their families. The hospital president recently told me how valuable it is for stroke patients to obtain validation from seeing us, about the possibilities of recovery as they embrace Spaulding’s motto: “Find Your Strength.” I’ll continue to sound the clarion call for health, wellness and awareness of stroke and heart disease, and hope you’ll indulge me while I do. I also hope to continue to support and encourage learning outcomes and program success at Massachusetts Maritime Academy through volunteer efforts on the Men’s Soccer Team, Hall of Fame Committee, Engineering Advisory Council, and International Maritime Business Advisory Board. I’ve also committed to helping improve the institution’s record on diversity and inclusion. This year, I also plan on launching a blog to help raise and spread awareness about strokes and stroke recovery.

4.      Believe me, your likes, words of encouragement and feedback have all been valuable, and they help drive me, especially on those down days that inevitably come from time to time. Know that sometimes, FB provides the only medium of interaction I have with others.

5.      Self Improvement: A firm believer that one can never stop learning new skills, I hope to use all of the avenues available to me to build on, and learn new skills, means and methods.

6.      Pursue and Achieve Success In Management & Business: Leveraging all the lessons learned from my education and networks at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Boston University Questrom School of Business, Harvard Business School, MIT and others to help change the world by creating and supporting better, more efficient and valuable organizations, embracing disruptive technologies and innovation, and spurring new beginnings in the form of creative talent and unbridled energy).

God bless you and thank you for reading thus far, and thank you for your time. I cannot emphasize enough how thankful I am for everyone who has helped me along the way in my recovery journey. I’d appreciate your feedback and comments.

Cheers, best regards, and I remain humbly yours

Musa Pam

Stroke Survivor: My Three New Years (Revisited)

MUSA PAM·WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2016

Stroke Survivor: My Three New Years (Revisited)

This is an update to the note I first wrote about two years ago. My “Three New Years” all occur in January. They are the traditional New Year, my birthday, and my stroke anniversary, a.k.a. strokeversary or re-birthday - on the first, sixth and twentieth respectively.

1) On the first day of the year on the modern day Gregorian calendar, I joined billions around the world in that ritual of shedding the old, while welcoming the new. As usual, I had many blessings to count - including life and limb; health and wellness. I had a roof over my head, nourishment, access to many luxuries and a job to help provide those things. More than most, I enjoy the love of family and the support of friends. This year, I also welcomed the opportunity for other new beginnings as my fourth resolution.

2) On January 6th, I celebrated my second New Year. Being so close to the more popular New Year, it's always offered me an opportunity to re-calibrate the commitments I made five days earlier. This also marked the seventeenth anniversary of my dear mother's calling to be with the Lord. It offered yet another opportunity to reflect upon the values she instilled upon her seven sons, and the example she set by her faith, words and deeds. As I remember the eulogy I gave at her funeral in 1999, some of the lasting memories I recall were that of her selflessness in serving those who were less fortunate than her. She was a devoted member of the St. Piran's Church Choir, served her country on a major financial services board, regularly visited prisons, helped beleaguered women and children, helped countless relatives, housegirls and houseboys (household help) attend school and establish meaningful careers, volunteered with the Red Cross, serving as Plateau State Chair, chaperoned many a young bride through the protocols of her wedding day, child birth and child-rearing, all the while regularly giving to the needy - Christian and Moslem alike. She was absolutely the best mother in the world.

3) On this evening four years ago, I suffered a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), a.k.a "Stroke" after arriving home from work. The official cause? It took a while at Norwood Hospital following an X-Ray, CT-Scan, MRI, and finally a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) on the second day. The TEE confirmed a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), also known as a hole in the heart as the cause. We’re all born with one, but it closes naturally in about 90% of the population (read more from my note “We Are the 10%” here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/musa...). My PFO remained open, and thus allowed a blood clot to travel to my brain, bypassing the lungs and causing a clot in a part of my brain called Corona Radiata. My dad, a.k.a. Dada suffered a similar fate in March 1989, but sadly, did not make it. This is why when I took a nap after experiencing stroke symptoms that I hadn't recognized, I believe HE woke me up and guided me to call 911 from my home phone (enabling paramedics to immediately ascertain my address without me having to talk much). For this reason, I consider myself as having received a new lease on life on January 20th, 2012. I've chronicled my journey towards recovery on these Facebook spaces, and appreciate all the words of encouragement and offers of support from all of you as you’ve tolerated all my posts and updates. This year in particular, I want to continue to bust the myth of the Two-Year Plateau when it comes to Stroke recovery. It refers to the notion that one gains as much movement and function in two years, as one is going to get, and then one hits a plateau. Nothing tangible supposedly comes after this. This proud stroke survivor and son of Plateau State, Nigeria says “No Can Do!” to that, and Amen to God’s miracles in my life that have seen me through one adversity after another, given me the will to live and love, and enabled me to spread the word and hopefully helping others along the way.

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to help others (improved health and wellness, better organization and embracing new beginnings are the others). As for the first, I’m blessed to be in a position to volunteer at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston as a Peer Visitor, gaining immense joy from being able to regularly visit with and talk to patients who are also stroke survivors and their families. The hospital president recently told me how valuable it is for stroke patients to obtain validation from seeing us, about the possibilities of recovery as they embrace Spaulding’s motto: “Find Your Strength.” I’ll continue to sound the clarion call for health, wellness and awareness of stroke and heart disease, and hope you’ll indulge me while I do. Believe me, your likes, words of encouragement and feedback have all been valuable, and they help drive me, especially on those down days that inevitably come from time to time. Know that sometimes, FB provides the only medium of interaction I have with others. Bless you for reading thus far, and thank you for your time.

Stroke Survivor: Pay It Forward

Two years ago today, since I had first come in on a stretcher, I was determined to walk out of Spaulding Rehab Hospital after my 30-day inpatient stroke rehab and did. Visited the new site today to give thanks to the amazing nursing staff and therapists...Thanks to #nurses and #therapists everywhere! #Strokerecovery #PayItForward

Stroke Survivor: My Three New Years - Busting the Myth of the Two Year Stroke Recovery Plateau

Stroke Survivor: My Three New Years - Busting the Myth of the Two Year Stroke Recovery Plateau

January 20, 2014 at 11:59pm

1)  On the first day of the year on the modern day Gregorian calendar, I join billions around the world in that ritual of shedding the old, while welcoming the new. As usual, I had many blessings to count - including life and limb; health and wellness. I had a roof over my head, nourishment, access to many luxuries and a job to help provide those things. More than most, I enjoyed the love of family and friends.

2) On January 6th, I celebrated my second New Year. Being so close to the more popular New Year, it's always offered me an opportunity to re-calibrate the commitments I made 5 days earlier. This also marked the 15th anniversary of my dear mother's calling to be with the Lord. It offered yet another opportunity to reflect upon the values she instilled upon her 7 sons, and the example she set by her faith, words and deeds. As I remember the eulogy I gave at her funeral in 1999, some of the lasting memories I recall were that of her selflessness in serving those who were less fortunate than her. She was a devoted member of the St. Piran's Church Choir, regularly visited prisons, helped beleaguered women and children, helped Housegirls and Houseboys attend school and establish meaningful careers, volunteered with the Red Cross, serving as Plateau State Chair, chaperoned many a young bride through the protocols of her wedding day, and regularly giving to the needy - Christian and Moslem alike.

3) On this day 2 years ago, I suffered a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), a.k.a "A Stroke." My Dada suffered the same fate in March 1989, but sadly, did not make it. This is why I believe he woke me up and enabled me to call 911 from my home phone (enabling paramedics to immediately ascertain my address) when I took a nap after experiencing stroke symptoms that I hadn't recognized. For this reason, I consider my self as having received a new lease on life on January 20th, 2012. I've chronicled my journey towards recovery in this space, and appreciate all the words of encouragement and offers of support from all of you. This year in particular, I want to bust the myth of the 2-Year Plateau when it comes to Stroke recovery. This refers to the notion that one gains as much movement and function in 2 years, as one is going to get, and then one hits a plateau. Nothing tangible supposedly comes after this.

Stroke Survivor: Discharge from the Hospital!

Shipping Out of the Hospital: Discharge Day!

I arrived at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital 30 days ago on a stretcher for acute inpatient stroke rehabilitation, and recently told my therapists I was determined to walk out on my own power. Thanks to God for all those miracle workers - providers, physical, occupational, therapeutic and speech therapists, nurses, nurses aides, and support staff - for all they did and do every day to help patients and stroke survivors like me get better and "Find Our Strength."

Stroke Recovery: Symmetry Training On Stationary Bike

No rest for the weary on this Saturday... Rehab continues. In this video, I'm rocking the stationary bike for 2 miles to further strengthen my left leg. Imagine that I couldn't move it 2 weeks ago! Also walked some 200 feet with the cane and the left arm muscles are starting to kick in, especially my biceps.

Hole in the Heart: We Are The 10%!

Hole In the Heart: Of All Stroke Survivors, We Are the 10%!

February 3, 2012 at 1:07pm

Admit it... You saw the title and thought this was about the Occupy movement, didn't you?  The answer is that I am like Hall of Fame football player Tedy Bruschi, who when I met him two and a half years ago, I had no idea I would come to have something more in common with than our love for our beloved New England Patriots.

Friends, as I sit in a wheelchair writing this with one functional hand on the 14th day after suffering a mild stroke on my late brother Yakubu's 45th birthday anniversary January 20th,  2012, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge your thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement , flowers, cards, gifts, texts, FB posts, and visits.  I've changed the ringtone on my phone back to Michael Jackson's "You Are Not Alone, " for that is exactly how you've all made me feel.

So how come  a 41 year-old can have a stroke?  There are several answers to this question, ranging from risk factors to family history, etc.  Some of you may recall that my Dada died in March 1989  at age 55,  2 days after he suffered a stroke

What happened in my case?  I'll start by conjuring up an analogy that my US based frirends can relate to -  that of retired New England Patriots All-Pro Linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who suffered a stroke at age 31, two weeks after helping his team to a 3rd Superbowl World Championship.  We are both part of the 10% of the population in whom the hole in our hear between the two upper chambers does not close after birth (the  article says it's 25-40%, but I'm going with my cardiologist Dr. Cheema on the 10%. One of the links below goes further to explain why" patent -foramen-ovale" or  PFO, the so called hole in the heart, can result in a stroke in  people like Tedy and me. At this time, my primary course of treatment is aspirin, which is also referenced in the article. I'm also on blood thinners (Fragmin), cholesterol meds (Zocor) and blood pressure meds (Lisinopril). Another link describes the type of stroke I had - a Lacunar Stroke, affecting a part of my brain called the Corona Radiata.   Mine was a Pure Motor Stroke, causing weakness in my left leg, left arm, and the left side  of my face with minimal speech impairment.

I have two reasons for writing this: 1 - To answer the questions "What happened to you"and "why/how could it happen?" 2)In the hopes that you my friends and family, may become more aware about strokes, their warning signs, and their prevention.

I have newfound mad respect for nurses and the things they put up with, and am thankful to my doctors and therapists at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital for the magic they do everyday around me.

I close by acknowledging the love of family that I have felt these last twoweeks like never before - especially Ibro who put everything on hold to come up from Maryland to spend 12 straight days with me, with plans to return again in a few days. Mostly because ofthe love of family, any desire on my part to feel sorry for myself was quickly cast asunder.


Remain blessed!!!

Cheers,
~ Musa

http://articles.boston.com/2005-02-18/sports/29216944_1_bruschi-family-patriots-pro-bowl-linebacker-patriots-headquarters

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2005/03/tedy-bruschis-patent-foramen-ovale-pfo-caused-stroke.html

http://know-pfo.org/2009/05/28/we-need-to-do-more/

http://stroke.about.com/od/causesofstroke/a/lacunar_strokes.htm

With #54 himself, future Hall of Fame New England Patriots linebacker Teddy Bruschi