Any other stroke victims on this board?

[9BallPaul]

The thread on Tom Ross's medical condition prompted me to author this one.

My stroke happened seven years ago. Brain bleed. Three weeks in intensive care, four more in a hospital room, and eight weeks in a rehab hospital. Don't remember a thing until about the third week in rehab, when I was convinced I was hanging out at Jerry Garcia's ranch. He was dead by then, but I was too, nearly.

Happy to say that recovery has been thrilling -- even though it's the highest mountain I ever climbed.

When I went back to the pool table, it felt as though I was playing left-handed. That's how clumsy my game was. It's taken three years of owning my own table to be able to run a rack of 8-ball, and I still can't manage to run a rack of 9-ball.

When I started playing as a kid at York Billiards, catty-corner from the high-school I allegedly attended, it took me about a year to run racks of 8-ball and not much longer to run single, and later two or three, racks of 9-ball.

Now I'm back to getting out once in a while in 8-ball, but 9-ball seems a long way off.

Anyone else?

 

[roberthans]

Stroked out

Eight years ago I went into severe Anaphylaxis from a bees sting. I didn't have a stroke but I stroked out. I ended out with fifteen dead spots in my brain from lack of oxygen.(I died) Some stuff got better. Lots didn't. The vision center in my brain is screwed up so my game will never be what it was. I still love the game but I have had to re-evaluate my goals.

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

I don't know if it counts as a stroke, but I had a sub arachnoid Aneurysm
in 2001. It was a serious bleed and the Dr. told me I was in the 10% who make it thru. Usually a person will get about 15 seconds before your brain cavity fills with blood. When my brain swole up, it pushed on my optic nerves and I pretty much went blind for a few weeks. I could see a bit out of one eye to get around but thats it. Now I just need my glasses for driving at night. Kinda corrected itself.

I get daily migraines and have to take some potent meds to keep them at bay. I wake up every morning feeling like I have the worlds worst hang over.

The only long term affect I have now is remembering things. I have to write myself a lot of notes in order to remember even the simplest things. I was lucky that the artery was close to the surface and the surgeon didn't have to go too deep to clip it other wise I might have had problems with motor skills, etc.

Theres is not a day that goes by that I don't count my blessings and if anyone doesn't believe in guardian angels, they are with us.

 

[DrCue'sProtege]

You guys have my admiration for what you have gone through. my mother had an aneurysm in July of '94, the doctor said it caused a light stroke. she had surgery to fix the aneurysm, but she never got back to her former self. finally, in October of 2008, she was called home by the Lord. That was a blessing.

You guys keep hitting those balls around, its great therapy, nothing like a good game of 9-Ball, 8-Ball, whatever you prefer.

Mike

 

[9BallPaul]

Eight years ago I went into severe Anaphylaxis from a bees sting. I didn't have a stroke but I stroked out. I ended out with fifteen dead spots in my brain from lack of oxygen.(I died) Some stuff got better. Lots didn't. The vision center in my brain is screwed up so my game will never be what it was. I still love the game but I have had to re-evaluate my goals.

Likewise, pal. I recommend a home table as terrific therapy. Best wishes.

 

[9BallPaul]

I don't know if it counts as a stroke, but I had a sub arachnoid Aneurysm
in 2001. It was a serious bleed and the Dr. told me I was in the 10% who make it thru. Usually a person will get about 15 seconds before your brain cavity fills with blood. When my brain swole up, it pushed on my optic nerves and I pretty much went blind for a few weeks. I could see a bit out of one eye to get around but thats it. Now I just need my glasses for driving at night. Kinda corrected itself.

I get daily migraines and have to take some potent meds to keep them at bay. I wake up every morning feeling like I have the worlds worst hang over.

The only long term affect I have now is remembering things. I have to write myself a lot of notes in order to remember even the simplest things. I was lucky that the artery was close to the surface and the surgeon didn't have to go too deep to clip it other wise I might have had problems with motor skills, etc.

Theres is not a day that goes by that I don't count my blessings and if anyone doesn't believe in guardian angels, they are with us.

Yep, memory isn't what it should be. I'm taking meds, but still have a built-in excuse for missing those elusive anniversaries (speaking to you, Mrs. 9BP).

 

[Blackjack]

The thread on Tom Ross's medical condition prompted me to author this one.

My stroke happened seven years ago. Brain bleed. Three weeks in intensive care, four more in a hospital room, and eight weeks in a rehab hospital. Don't remember a thing until about the third week in rehab, when I was convinced I was hanging out at Jerry Garcia's ranch. He was dead by then, but I was too, nearly.

Happy to say that recovery has been thrilling -- even though it's the highest mountain I ever climbed.

When I went back to the pool table, it felt as though I was playing left-handed. That's how clumsy my game was. It's taken three years of owning my own table to be able to run a rack of 8-ball, and I still can't manage to run a rack of 9-ball.

When I started playing as a kid at York Billiards, catty-corner from the high-school I allegedly attended, it took me about a year to run racks of 8-ball and not much longer to run single, and later two or three, racks of 9-ball.

Now I'm back to getting out once in a while in 8-ball, but 9-ball seems a long way off.

Anyone else?

I haven't had a stroke, but I do have Parkinson's Disease. Like any brain injury or neurological disorder, it changes absolutely everything. It has completely changed my fundamentals, my stroke, and my balance. On my best days, I play at about 40% of my ability prior to the onset of my Parkinson's symptoms. At first that was very frustrating and extremely humbling. I started surrounding myself with people that had to overcome tougher hurdles than I did, and it motivated me to keep playing despite the results. Pool is what I enjoy doing, and I'll never quit. I am sure that Tom Ross has that same passion, and I know that passion will provide much needed strength and determination during his recovery process.

 

["CaliRed".]

I have not had a stroke, but do have a muscle disease that wastes away my muscles over most of my body. It's been cranking away at doing that for about 37 years now, so the decline is slow, but steady.

I stopped playing for about 13 years due to relationship pressures and several other issues, picked up a cue about a year ago again, and found out how much I had lost over those years. When I bent over the table, my shoulder practically fell down to my waist:smile: It was extremely painful and even with pain meds, the 1st hour was torture for the 1st 6 months. I kept at it 2 times a week for 2 hours a session and it's got a lot better.

I still hurt afterwards, but it's well worth it. I lived and breathed pool for many years of my life and I am so happy to be back playing again. I know I will never be worth a sh1t at it but I can run a rack every so often and I can make amazing shots and beat other players that play every day (sometimes) so I"m happy with the whole thing, considering.

Pool is a piece of me, that will forever be part of who I am, so I will continue to play it till I can't. I don't care if I have to stand straight up to shoot or use a bridge on every shot, I'm going to keep playing this game, because it is a wonderful feeling when I'm playing, and it brings back many wonderful memories of years gone by.

I'm playing 3 times a week now for 2 hours at a time, to prepare myself if I play any champions at the Derby, don't want to embarrass myself too much I actually anticipate each day I know I am going to play and can't wait for the time to get to drive over there to play... it's exciting.

So all of you, don't worry about how you use to play, once you come to grips that "that was then, this is now" you can move on and enjoy what you can do now. Enjoy it now, for someday you may never get to chalk a cue again, that day will come for all of us someday.

 

[kvinbrwr]

Count Me In

I had a stoke. It was a big fat brain bleed and when the radiologist saw my MRI he called me with the news that I had a brain tumor the size of an egg. Nice read fella, scared the sheeet out of me and when the emergency room Dr looked at her results and pronounced "stroke" we were all high fiving and she was all "this is not good news".

For me it was 3 days in ICU and a week in the hospital and now a lifetime of blood pressure meds. I was way way way real lucky, the bleed was apparently huge, but just by good fortune the place in my brain it occurred left me with some extremely minor visual stuff and that's it. Had it occurred elsewhere, I could have been flopping around on the ground and now years later still learning to walk or speak or worse.

I think Efren said it best in my case, "I got lucky".

My heart goes out to people that had it worse, because I can relate and it could of been me. I would like to say to anyone that has high blood pressure and is putting off having it treated for whatever reason, you might really want to rethink that position. And, if anybody wants any advice regarding blood pressure, please feel free to contact me.

Kevin Brewer

 

[kvinbrwr]

The thread on Tom Ross's medical condition prompted me to author this one.

My stroke happened seven years ago. Brain bleed. Three weeks in intensive care, four more in a hospital room, and eight weeks in a rehab hospital. Don't remember a thing until about the third week in rehab, when I was convinced I was hanging out at Jerry Garcia's ranch. He was dead by then, but I was too, nearly.

Happy to say that recovery has been thrilling -- even though it's the highest mountain I ever climbed.

When I went back to the pool table, it felt as though I was playing left-handed. That's how clumsy my game was. It's taken three years of owning my own table to be able to run a rack of 8-ball, and I still can't manage to run a rack of 9-ball.

When I started playing as a kid at York Billiards, catty-corner from the high-school I allegedly attended, it took me about a year to run racks of 8-ball and not much longer to run single, and later two or three, racks of 9-ball.

Now I'm back to getting out once in a while in 8-ball, but 9-ball seems a long way off.

Anyone else?

That's a crack-u[p that Garcia's Ranch deal.

You know the famous Michelangelo painting of creation where God is reaching out and finger touching with Adam? I had a repetitive dream in ICU where I was Adam and reaching out the the finger reaching to touch me with the spark of life belonged to my gorgeous ICU nurse.

You and Jerry.

Me and Cherry.

Thanks for the laugh and good luck to you

Kevin

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

That's a crack-u[p that Garcia's Ranch deal.

You know the famous Michelangelo painting of creation where God is reaching out and finger touching with Adam? I had a repetitive dream in ICU where I was Adam and reaching out the the finger reaching to touch me with the spark of life belonged to my gorgeous ICU nurse.

You and Jerry.

Me and Cherry.
Thanks for the laugh and good luck to you

Kevin

Makes me want to run out for a Ben & Jerry's "Cherry Garcia"... :thumbup:

Best,
Brian kc

P.S. Glad you all are here!

 

[bullshot]

my handicap isn't anywhere near as severe as a stroke, but i recently dislocated my knee cap. I wasn't able to stand up and shoot pool for a month and I currently limp around the table and have to shoot with my front leg straightened instead of bent, it's taking some getting use to.

 

[12squared]

Paul,

Great post!

You all have my undying admiration for what you have endured. It is inspiring for all and shows that pool is not only the great game we love, but is therapeutic as well.

A quick story: My Father-in-law, Mike, played football at the University of Michigan in the mid-late 50's. He & his wife have retired to Ann Arbor for the last 20 years. Mike had played and enjoyed golf for most of his life. In 1997 he suffered a major stroke that he still endures today. I tell you this because of what he and his Dr. friend have started - "Strokes for Strokes". Once a year 20 or more stroke victims get together and play as many holes of the 9-hole golf course they can stand.

At first, many of the victims would not want to participate because of their handicaps caused by their strokes, once they were pushed into it by loved ones, you cannot keep them away. I'm told their attitudes have improved dramatically since they started participating. There are many businesses that donate prizes and there is a nice banquet afterwords for the entire families. I hope to make it to Ann Arbor one year so I can witness it first hand and help.

So here's my point - Maybe someone can start a "Strokes for Strokes" get together for the pool world as well? I'm not suggesting everyone travel once a year, but maybe hold a local pool tournament for stroke victims in their community, and maybe at the same time frame. Of course, it would be a handicapped tournament (OK, bad joke ). Just an idea that I would be happy to help get off the ground in Colorado if there is interest. All participants do not have to have been good players, just enjoyed the game.

What do you guys think?

Maybe Kevin can donate one of his Ernie's or Tad's (sorry Kevin).

dave

 

[9BallPaul]

Back at you

Paul,

Great post!

You all have my undying admiration for what you have endured. It is inspiring for all and shows that pool is not only the great game we love, but is therapeutic as well.

A quick story: My Father-in-law, Mike, played football at the University of Michigan in the mid-late 50's. He & his wife have retired to Ann Arbor for the last 20 years. Mike had played and enjoyed golf for most of his life. In 1987 he suffered a major stroke that he still endures today. I tell you this because of what he and his Dr. friend have started - "Strokes for Strokes". Once a year 20 or more stroke victims get together and play as many holes of the 9-hole golf course they can stand.

At first, many of the victims would not want to participate because of their handicaps caused by their strokes, once they were pushed into it by loved ones, you cannot keep them away. I'm told their attitudes have improved dramatically since they started participating. There are many businesses that donate prizes and there is a nice banquet afterwords for the entire families. I hope to make it to Ann Arbor one year so I can witness it first hand and help.

So here's my point - Maybe someone can start a "Strokes for Strokes" get together for the pool world as well? I'm not suggesting everyone travel once a year, but maybe hold a local pool tournament for stroke victims in their community, and maybe at the same time frame. Of course, it would be a handicapped tournament (OK, bad joke ). Just an idea that I would be happy to help get off the ground in Colorado if there is interest. All participants do not have to have been good players, just enjoyed the game.

What do you guys think?

Maybe Kevin can donate one of his Ernie's or Tad's (sorry Kevin).

dave

I think I like it. I've got the table and the home bar.

 

[12squared]

In the Denver area, so far it would be you and Tom, and Tom's not ready. Do you know of a Denver group for stroke victims? I think how it started in Ann Arbor, the Dr. wanted Mike to be an inspiration to other stroke victims. Maybe the thing to do for the Denver area is to talk to your & Tom's Dr.s and they can introduce us to those that may be interested. That would be a start. If it's received well, maybe I can do the same in the Fort Collins area. Who knows where it could go or if there would be any interest at all beyond this forum.

By the way, I had a typo, my F-i-l had his stroke in 1997, not 1987. Sorry.

Dave

 

[9BallPaul]

In the Denver area, so far it would be you and Tom, and Tom's not ready. Do you know of a Denver group for stroke victims? I think how it started in Ann Arbor, the Dr. wanted Mike to be an inspiration to other stroke victims. Maybe the thing to do for the Denver area is to talk to your & Tom's Dr.s and they can introduce us to those that may be interested. That would be a start. If it's received well, maybe I can do the same in the Fort Collins area. Who knows where it could go or if there would be any interest at all beyond this forum.

By the way, I had a typo, my F-i-l had his stroke in 1997, not 1987. Sorry.

Dave

Great suggestions. I had a doctor in rehab I could call. And this thread may be showing up in Google searches, so yeah, word could be spread. If Tom's brain injury is anything like mine (and I don't presume that it is) he'll need some time, probably a year, before he's back to the table. But we'll see. He's a pro, I'm just a basement banger.

 

[richiebalto]

Great suggestions. I had a doctor in rehab I could call. And this thread may be showing up in Google searches, so yeah, word could be spread. If Tom's brain injury is anything like mine (and I don't presume that it is) he'll need some time, probably a year, before he's back to the table. But we'll see. He's a pro, I'm just a basement banger.

Good luck in the future with all you guys health,you guys sound like a bunch of warriors to me,enjoy pool to the fullest,and your lifes also!

 

[poolcuemaster]

Thats a great idea guys, I just had a stroke on October 13th and I was very lucky this time. I'm working hard at not having another stroke or a heart attack by putting myself on the caveman diet, I've lost 26 lbs in 2 months and its not hard. I was scared real bad and hated the days in ICU so much I never want to go back again so losing weight and being able to get off these diabetic drugs is my goal. I am playing pool as good as ever at times and skipping a beat on other days but no pains or eye problems so very lucky. I know the lord sent me a warning .--Get well quick Tom--Leonard