Headaches and pin cushions

For about three weeks I’ve had pretty severe headaches. Since my strokes 5 1/2 years ago, I’m pretty in tune with all aches and pains. In particular, when I get headaches I get pretty focused.

Nevertheless, I just assumed that the headaches were caused by too much stress. The only thing that would take the pain away would be a Norco. And even that would basically dull the pain but not take it away.

When I had my strokes, I had a very consistent pain. My left temple throbbed and I had right side vision auras.

These recent headaches have been completely different. I would note the severity and the locations of these headaches just to make sure I wasn’t having another stroke.

In those three weeks, I only had two days with no pain. At my Idaho Aphasia Support Group last Wednesday, I told the group about the headaches. I also told the group that my wife said many times that “ given your history of strokes and seizures don’t I think it would be wise to check it out?” I always responded saying that these headaches were different so I wasn’t concerned.

At the support group, a stroke survivor — a woman of course! — essentially said, “Just like a man! What is wrong with you! Listen to your wife!”

I told my wife about the support group, and she laughed replying “ Women are always right.”

Finally, I went to the ER last Tuesday because the headaches we’re not getting better, and I finally realized that I needed to “check it out.”

Back to Saint Alphonsus Hospital again. The doctor remembered me because he ordered an MRI for me a couple years ago. When a doctor remember you it is somewhat embarrassing.

I described all of my symptoms and he ordered a CT scan rather than an MRI. Getting a CT scan should be simple. However, I have “bad veins.” We always ask for the best vampire in the hospital. It seems they can never find a vein or my veins “roll” or “blow.”

This was the same. Three different nurses, an hour and a half to find a suitable vein, and many tries and bruises just to do a simple three minute procedure.

I was chatting with one of the three nurses or maybe the doctor about my veins. Because I have this congenital condition called fibromuscular dysplasia which affects my arteries, I asked if that condition might cause the collapsing veins.

They simply don’t know. Nevertheless my arms now look like pin cushions.

Five hours later, the results were in: headaches we’re not caused by any further brain damage. That is great news!

On the other hand, we still need to figure out what is causing the headaches. Since we got the results of the CT scan, headaches have been better. Perhaps the headaches were a self fulfilling prophecy: I was getting more headaches and I got headaches worrying about it.

It is a conundrum.

Phantom Blindness and Taking a Break after Strokes

I met with my eye doctor last week about taking some time off from my vision therapy. I have been doing therapy since my stroke almost two and a half years ago. I am tired, and a need a break. My doctor said, “This is completely understandable. Take some time off.” At the appointment, my doctor tested my vision. Because of the strokes, my vision was affected, and I have a problem in my field of vision on the right side. I have a deficit with my right side peripheral vision. However, it is getting better. During the test, I told him that I “sense things on the right side of my peripheral vision.” It seems that I know that something is there, but I cannot really distinguish what it is. He told me that there is a body of thought describing phantom vision or phantom blindness. A Polish researcher, L. Bieganowski, described this phantom blindness this way: “The subject of the paper is the phenomenon of phantom vision. It occurs among the blind (or almost blind...

What is wrong with us! A lot: Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria

This morning, from 10:30 to Noon, at St. Lukes in Meridian Idaho, I participated in the “Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria Support Group” started a year ago through Idaho State University. We meet weekly. So, what is wrong with us? Aphasia is the name given to a collection of language disorders caused by damage to the brain. A requirement for a diagnosis of aphasia is that, prior to the illness or injury, the person's language skills were normal. The difficulties of people with aphasia can range from occasional trouble finding words to losing the ability to speak, read, or write, but does not affect intelligence. This also affects visual language such as sign language . The term "aphasia" implies a problem with one or more functions that are essential and specific to language function. It is not usually used when the language problem is a result of a more peripheral motor or sensory difficulty, such as paralysis affecting the speech muscles or a general hear...

January

January 10th was the 13th anniversary of my first stroke. After 18 days in the hospital (including my second massive stroke were I lost almost everything) we celebrated my son’s seventh birthday. I wanted to celebrate my son‘s birthday but I had no idea the sensory overload would cause. The flashing lights, the unbearable noise of the crowds and the music, and loud conversations caused me to panic. In the midst of my brain damaged confusion, I had to go to the bathroom. At that point I really didn’t know how to navigate the restaurant even though I had been there many times. I didn’t know the concept of letters and I didn’t know what “men” and “women” were on the doors. My little son gripped my hand and said, “Daddy… I will take you to the bathroom.” Stumbling through the crowded restaurant I was scared. My son guided me to the proper door and asked if I needed any more help. After I finished I came out and he grabbed my hand and took me back to the booth. In January this year, We cele...

Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

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