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Now everybody, have you heard...

TransMonk Mar 26 2009 03:55 PM

TransMonk from The Santana Elbow thread on 03/02/09 wrote: I was walking to work a month ago and got a severe headache, tightness in my throat, dizziness and loss of balance. I got rushed to the hospital and they said my symptoms indicated I had a small stroke. But after a spinal tap, CT scan and multiple MRIs they could not find anything showing any blockage...in other words, no stroke. I've now visited different doctors (pulminologist, neurologist, physical therapist, opthomologist) 2-3 times per week for the past month and they're still not sure what's wrong. The initial diagnosis was an inner-ear virus, then I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, which is a problem, but seemingly unrealated. After a month, I'm still only at about 80% with my balance and I have abnormal sensation ability on the left half of my body. I really have no idea if it will start to get better tomorrow or if I'll be this way the rest of my life. I'm well enough to perform daily activities, but I'm not running or exercising at all. I have another MRI scheduled for Wednesday (but I don't have to travel to New York). My most recent MRI showed a blockage on the right side of my brain stem that they seemed to miss before. All of the doctors now agree that I did have a stroke back in late-January, so at least the mystery is solved. I'm still not right with my balance and my left leg still gets weird sensations and now it has aching pain almost constently. The MDs are confident that my balance and coordination will return and that I will recover from the fatigue I've been battling lately. They won't make any promises about the pain or loss of sensation in my leg, though they tell me that it has a possiblity of getting better...they just can't say when. I have blood work and an EKG to determine the best course of action to prevent further strokes. I'm glad they at least figured out what is going on. But, I'm excited for summer and would rather be closer to 100% once the weather gets warmer. I can walk and work without any problems, but doing anything more physical is a struggle.

d'Kong76 Mar 26 2009 04:28 PM

Good luck 'Monk, I'm sure having the mystery somewhat solved is a big load off the shoulders. Hope you're back to normal soon.

themetfairy Mar 26 2009 04:35 PM

What Kase said!

Benjamin Grimm Mar 26 2009 04:36 PM

I echo that sentiment.

DocTee Mar 26 2009 04:37 PM

Stay strong, man!

Edgy MD Mar 26 2009 05:32 PM

Glad you have a diagnosis. How's your playing?

metirish Mar 26 2009 06:11 PM

Shocking to me at least to hear that you had a stroke , all the best Monk.

TheOldMole Mar 26 2009 06:37 PM

You can make it back. And I know you will. All best.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 26 2009 06:50 PM

Glad to hear the docs found the source. Hoping for the very best for you, man.

Gwreck Mar 26 2009 06:53 PM

All the best for a speedy recovery.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 26 2009 06:56 PM

best fishes for continued improvement

Rockin' Doc Mar 26 2009 07:01 PM

I wish you a full recovery. Hang tough, Monk.

G-Fafif Mar 26 2009 08:18 PM

Keep goin'.

Fman99 Mar 26 2009 08:40 PM

Sending positive thoughts and vibes your way TM.

seawolf17 Mar 26 2009 08:42 PM

Hang in there, TM. We're with you.

MFS62 Mar 27 2009 06:55 AM

The location and causes of a stroke can be difficult to determine. Glad they were able to, and you're on your way back. Best of everyting. Thanks for the update. Later

Edgy MD Mar 27 2009 07:18 AM

Oh, I get it. It's a Billy Squier reference.

TransMonk Mar 27 2009 07:19 AM

Thanks to everyone for their warm wishes. As crappy and scared as I've felt, the support of friends and family I've had around me has made the experience the best it can be. That now includes the interweb. Thanks again. Edgy DC wrote: Glad you have a diagnosis. How's your playing? Haven't lost a thing in my hands (other than some temperature sensation)...so that's a great thing. I've been playing guitar for a few weeks now and don't notice any change in my ability from before. My voice isn't what it used to be, but I'm pretty sure I can get that back to normal with some practice. My hearing is also 100%, which was my first major concern. Edgy DC wrote: Oh, I get it. It's a Billy Squier reference. Thanks. I was hoping that wouldn't go without notice.

Farmer Ted Mar 27 2009 01:16 PM

I'll be playing Hum Machine on the iPod this weekend. That'll send some good vibes your way. Bring it on Pepeyon.

metsguyinmichigan Mar 27 2009 03:09 PM

Hang in there, my friend!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 29 2009 05:54 PM

Edgy DC wrote: Oh, I get it. It's a Billy Squier reference. How could I not get this? I was wondering what connection I missed to 'Mockingbird.' I think I maybe had a stroke.

cooby Mar 29 2009 07:16 PM

My goodness, Transmonk, take it easy! Glad you're on the mend; I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

G-Fafif Mar 29 2009 07:17 PM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Oh, I get it. It's a Billy Squier reference. How could I not get this? I was wondering what connection I missed to 'Mockingbird.' I think I maybe had a stroke. As much as there is strength in numbers in terms of those pulling for Monk, there is also an increasingly large contingent now admitting the same thing. I always liked Carly Simon over Billy Squier anyway.

Edgy MD Mar 29 2009 07:18 PM

Is Carly Simon/Billy Squier preference an either/or thing? I really hope not.

G-Fafif Mar 29 2009 11:14 PM

Edgy DC wrote: Is Carly Simon/Billy Squier preference an either/or thing? I really hope not. I wouldn't think so.

Centerfield Mar 30 2009 09:05 AM

Best wishes TM.

dgwphotography Mar 30 2009 09:58 AM

Wow - TM - I missed this the first time around - good luck - you'll be in my prayers.

Methead Mar 30 2009 02:16 PM

I missed this as well. Good luck, man.

TransMonk Jan 26 2010 10:24 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Well, it's been a year today since the stroke and I would put my recovery at 95%. I've regained almost all of my balance and coordination. I still sense temperature differently on my left side, but my body has adjusted. Hot and cold feel different than they used to, but now I associate the new feelings with what they're supposed to mean. The only thing that has gotten worse is the pain in my leg. The docs tell me that there is nothing wrong with my leg but that my brain is processing the sensations wrong and making me feel pain. They have had me on medication since July and have been steadily increasing the dosage. I'm almost maxed out on the dosage, so if it continues not to work, I may have to look into a pain management clinic. The pain is not debilitating, but it is always there enough to annoy me. It basically feels like growing pains or arthritis and gets worse the day before rain or snow. Today also marks my 60th day of being smoke free, which every doctor has told me is the best thing I can do to prevent further strokes. I've been exericising and trying to eat better as well. I fear every day that I may have another stroke without warning, but I feel the best I have since the first, so I'm hoping that taking preventative measures and knowing all of the signs will mean no further episodes. I'm hoping to play softball this spring and have a fully active summer.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 26 2010 10:36 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Best of luck with the recovery, Monkee.

metirish Jan 26 2010 10:46 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

All the best Monk , great to hear the good news.

themetfairy Jan 26 2010 12:19 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

WTG TM! Hopefully that pain will subside and you'll be back to 100% soon.

d'Kong76 Jan 26 2010 03:38 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Keep on keepin' on, Trans.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 27 2010 01:58 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Angry gum-chewing always helped me when I quit the puff-ery. Stay strong, sir.

metsguyinmichigan Jan 27 2010 10:30 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Recovering from injury? Did you alert Omar first? Get well, my friend! Glad you're doing better.

Fman99 Jan 28 2010 06:42 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Angry gum-chewing always helped me when I quit the puff-ery. Stay strong, sir. I cut down drinking straws to cigarette length and sucked on them like they were smokes. And they'd fill up with my own spit which was mostly disgusting but also slightly awesome. I was an irritable jerk for a while there and then it passed. Good luck with that TM.

TransMonk Jan 28 2010 07:04 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. I did both the gum and the straws to get by at the beginning. I'm past the point of constant cravings now, I only get the desire every once in a while and it's not strong at all. I've come to far to give up now.

Edgy MD Jan 28 2010 07:12 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Way to take that stroke and kick it's ass. Let me ask, has anybody suggested that your personality changed any?

TransMonk Jan 28 2010 07:46 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

I'm curious to know why you asked, but no, no one has suggested that. I would guess that this past year has been the first time I have bowed out of certain activities because I was unsure of my physical capabilities (I didn't drive for about 6 months, I didn't get involved in many sports activities). But for the most part I think my personality has stayed the same. I'm so thankful that my speech, hearing and fine motor skills weren't effected at all. I think that if any of those would have been diminished that I would have been devastated.

Frayed Knot Jan 28 2010 08:00 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard... Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 28 2010 08:06 AM

The reason he asked about your personality is that, as a guitar player with leg pain issues, you're just a medical degree and an obnoxious demeanor away from your own FOX television series.

Edgy MD Jan 28 2010 08:03 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Two friends of mine have sperately told me that their intimates have suggested that their personalities changed. One said people though he was more of an asshole. The other less of one. I knew them both exclusively post-stroke, so I have no idea. I imagine trauma hits us all differently, and we adapt differently. I also imagine it could all be speculative nonsense.

TransMonk Jan 28 2010 08:20 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

2009 was a quite different year for me. Along with the stroke, I went through a divorce, so along with the physical changes, there were some emotional changes too. Luckily, I fell in love with a new girl fairly early on who has only known me post-stroke, so if I've changed she accepts the new personality. If anything, I live for the day a bit more, I call bullshit a bit more and I'm optimistic about planning for the future a bit more rather than being content with where I am in life. I'm not sure if that makes me any more of an asshole to the people I interact with, but if it does, I can live with that.

A Boy Named Seo Jan 28 2010 01:06 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

TransMonk wrote: If anything, I live for the day a bit more, I call bullshit a bit more and I'm optimistic about planning for the future a bit more rather than being content with where I am in life. I'm not sure if that makes me any more of an asshole to the people I interact with, but if it does, I can live with that. If there's good to come out of a stroke, I think you found it. We could probably all use a little more of that mindset. I sure as hell could. Keep up the good, man.

TransMonk Jan 26 2011 10:20 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Two years. Coincidentally, I had a physical yesterday and the vitals all seemed normal. 118/68 BP, 72bpm HR and a 110 LDL. I'm 14 months smoke-free, put 1000 miles on the bicycle in 2010 and played softball from March through September. I've lost 20 pounds since this time last year. I started running in November and have planned on running 1000 miles in 2011. Overall, I feel great. The pain I have is going to be chronic, but it is managed with medication. I don't think I'll ever sense temperature the same way as I did before, but my body (mind) has adapted so that "too hot/too cold" has become different, but distinquishable sensations. I think I've done all I can do to lower the risk of reoccurance to it's minimum. As a side effect, I'm probably as healthy as I've ever been.

metirish Jan 26 2011 10:51 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Good stuff Monk....continued good health

themetfairy Jan 26 2011 11:48 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

WTG TM!

A Boy Named Seo Jan 26 2011 06:04 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Seriously, man, good to hear. Continued progress, homie.

Fman99 Jan 26 2011 07:50 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Good on you TM.

G-Fafif Jan 26 2011 08:06 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Congratulations Monk. Keep it comin'!

d'Kong76 Jan 26 2011 08:19 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Keep on keepin' on, Trans. (ok, yah I cut and pasted but I just re-read the page and liked that lol)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 26 2011 08:20 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Yes, continued good health. Did you ever get a good explanation as to why it happened?

Rockin' Doc Jan 26 2011 09:31 PM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Great report. Continued good health.

TransMonk Jan 27 2011 07:49 AM Re: Now everybody, have you heard...

Thanks for the comments everyone, it means a lot! John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Did you ever get a good explanation as to why it happened? Nah. I'm guessing smoking a pack-ish a day for 15ish years, being 20-ish pounds overweight, a family history of high bood pressure, eating like crap, drinking too much and the stress of splitting with my wife all contributed to a perfect storm at that moment in time. It was an eye opener as to how badly I was blindly treating my body at the time. Like a lot of younger folks, I kept telling myself I'd make changes in my habits when I needed to rather than because I wanted to. Well, my body told me that I needed to...which made me want to and I've been able to eliminate pretty much all of those risk factors from my life.