Javed Ameer talks about how he picked up the pieces after a cerebral stroke and his three mantras for successful rehabilitation.
Trigger warning: Includes suicide ideation
1. What were the immediate effects of your cerebral stroke?
I returned home, paralysed. and almost 80% blind (could only see silhouettes!), led by my daughters. Extremely miraculously, my total vision came back one fine day as I stood in my balcony. The whole vision just came suddenly as if someone has wiped your windscreen clean. Was such an unbelievable experience. Almost mystical. No doctor has been able to explain it. Now after my last brain MRI, the doctors are telling me that in the same way I may start walking straight one fine day. Hopefully!
2. How did you go about your rehabilitation in the initial stages?
As my physiotherapist once said, “Just take your medicines and do your exercises and forget about it. Let the body mind its own business.” By God, it does and how!
3. Where and from who did you get your maximum support from?
Myself. Believe me, this whole family thing is overstated. Even when say, you faced any other issue(s) in your personal/professional life, try and go over them in your mind., At the most you may have ‘shared’ them with your family when they were ‘over’ and done with. You were ‘absolutely’ alone when you were actually in the eye of the storm, so to say. Hence in any case you will have to draw upon your very personal resources when you are in serious trouble.
I must have seen some seven or so of the so-called top hospitals in the country. I have no qualms in naming the Krishna Heart Hospital near Anand. Their physiotherapy team actually propped me up. I was completely bed ridden. I would not bother talking about the rest of the hospitals..
Moreover, the will to live has often been tested. The only reason I have not yet gone to the railway line nearby is because of the thought what if I survived and lost a limb or two. Just the other day I tried climbing the table to reach the ceiling fan to hang myself. I barely could climb the table but could not stand on it and fell down badly and hurt my knee. And I laughed at my own stupidity.In that moment, I actually forgot what I was about to do then went looking for the pain-killing balm humming the stupid ‘zhandu balm’ song. So I guess I will live!.
4. How did you try to help yourself, because self help goes a long way in healing oneself.
Reading, music, meditation helped. What helped the most was the decision to consciously accept. Become a “fatalist”! Critical thinking often becomes too much of a pressure. Whatever happened was good, is happening is good. What will happen will be for good. Trust in God and exercise. Just be physical. It tires you out and keeps you away from all and any critical thought. No thinking.
Related Reading: Everything in Life Can Change in An Instant
5. What is your condition now? How do you go about your daily chores?
I am good. Mobile. My only problem is that my head reels constantly, 24 hours a day. The last MRI shows no hope in medicine/surgery. Doctors say it will just either heal itself and will disappear like your blindness or the healthy part of the brain will slowly take over and it will stop. Hence waiting but am good. No complaints. Can drive too though don’t enjoy it unless in the mountains and/or on highways.
Another crib is that I still cannot pick my nose with the index finger of my left hand. Am working on it. Maybe I shall overcome that too, one day.
6. Are you able to travel out of the house independently? Do you need to use anything to support yourself?
Travel - oh yes I can. No opportunity yet though! Now I can even sit on my haunches. Previously I used to topple over but with consistent pushing myself in exercising, I achieved the feat.
7. How is your social life at the moment?
Limited. People are polite though but like to avoid me.
8. How has your condition taken a toll on your professional life, assuming that it has?
I had to leave my last job because of the condition. With this improvement, will now start looking for opportunities though am sure they will be limited now. I don’t know yet. Have to get into the market soon.
9. Has medical advice helped you? In what way? Do you still consult a doctor for rehabilitation?
Was always regular with my doctor before and since. Helps to monitor you better.
10. What would you say are the 3 most important tips for rehabilitation for a cerebral stroke patient?
- Be ‘physical’. Cycle, walk, jog, run, exercise………
- Accept your fate and state. Mentally. Faster you do it, better for your peace of mind!
- Reading can take you places (my choice has been travelogues), music and meditation help but remember you are there absolutely alone. Don’t even expect anything from anyone. Each one of us have our own battles. Get up and go. As I said ‘be physical’.
