HereHoldMyBeer

My wife had a major stroke about 5 years ago and I see this with her too. People want to take her left arm that doesn't work and help her, but with a paralyzed arm, lifting it can cause extreme pain if they do it wrong, plus it isn't helping because if she started to fall, by holding that arm, all they are going to accomplish is pulling that shoulder joint out of socket.

Now holding a door open for her is outstanding, but it is so hard for her to be as independent as she can be, and yet not offend good people just trying to help.

How hard was it getting used to other people having to do all of your.. personal hygiene?

My wife lost use of one of her arms after a stroke and it was hard for her to aclimate.

Well, I don't think that would have helped at all.

This isn't directly regarding ebola, but as a neurosurgeon perhaps you can answer me. My wife had a hemorrhagic stroke 5 years ago. Does the part of the brain that was damaged and still doesn't work, go away and her brain look like swiss cheese, or is the part that doesn't work still there and just non-functional? She has zero use of her left arm, short term memory is very bad but speech is ok but softer and her left leg is weaker but she can still climb stairs.

Thank you for your answer.

My best High school friend's father had colitis and had to have a temporary colostomy bag while his insides healed up after the surgery and such. This goes back to about 1980 and I had never heard of such a thing at that time.

His used to make all kinds of farty sounds as thing were moving around in there and it embarrassed him some but as he said, it wasn't like he could do anything about that part.

Does your make those sounds? I hope you can deal with the embarrassment ok and get past that as a young girl it might be a problem.

Good on ya for the AMA, and I wish you a long and healthy life.