I was recently on a stroke survivors group, where various members were sharing what they were doing right before they stroked. While reading each one, I wanted so badly to go back in time and change something!! Anything for a better outcome. There were actually signs a few days before my husband stroked that we didn't realize were signs. Boy, if only we could just have those days back again!!!

Finally, my husband has begun to put on some weight. Usually people are trying to loose weight, but in his case, he was very very thin. However, the reality of him not being ready to return to work has us both down. He wants to continue applying for jobs, but the fact that he has this fatigue makes working an 8 hour work day impossible. There are some cognitive issues that will also make his ability to do his job to the standard he use to a little difficult. Although the fatigue is the bigger issue. Recovery is an ongoing process indeed. Patience and acceptance are the lessons learned.

Apathy also seems to be with a lot of stroke survivors, I also wonder if it effects other head injury survivors. Apathy can be very misunderstood by the caregiver if we don't know ahead of time that this can be one of the side effects of many stroke survivors. Perhaps other head injury survivors as well. It's very disturbing when it seems our loved ones don't have much interest in what they once did, or maybe in what they should. My husband had a lot of apathy following his stroke, but a lot of it has gone, although not all. After his stroke, the roof could have caved in and he literally would have shown little to no reaction to it. It's been 2 years out from his stroke, hopefully more of him will return as he continues to recover.

I wonder if fatigue is a big problem for all head injuries or only to some stroke survivors? It appears that Ritalin has been able to help some stroke survivors suffering from debilitating fatigue.

I'm researching ways to help with post stroke fatigue. I wonder if it's something that will get better with time. Post stroke fatigue can be really debilitating. Some days he sleeps all day.

A family friend gave my husband the book 'The Brain That Changes Itself'. It's fascinating how the brain is constantly healing itself and how we can help it along.......After my husband had his stroke, he lost a lot of weight and hasn't been able to gain any of it back, until recently. I hope it's a sign of internal healing, as his weight was really very low.