I need to apologize to all here,

[Teacher of the Year]

28. My acute stroke was in Aug 2024.

My husband and I had never had a fight in our 18 years. Never raised our voices. I had never been anything but mildly annoyed on our worst days, and we've travelled together.

I found myself angry and yelling at him a month or so after the stroke.

And the look on his face made it terribly clear that something inside me was off and he was frightened for me. The Dr put me in counseling and soon after I had a PTSD diagnosis (in several areas). The stroke had taken down all those defenses we humans build up to get through crappy times and it was all hitting me at once. Bad stuff.

I've responded well, have not yelled at my husband again (unless he is upstairs and I'm asking if he wants a snack or something) and have come to accept that I am different now but in a way I can live with.

Forgive yourself, my friend. There is some clarity to be found as you figure out the new you.

Life just put a mountain in front of you. Damnit. Now you have to choose--sit or start climbing. But here is the deal, as you climb, you get stronger, and as you get stronger you will claw back parts of your life and in that comes small victories, medium victories and giant ones and you will celebrate again. Last month I added up some numbers in my head. It was the first time I've been able to do that since the stroke. And, just like that, this flood of relief and confidence hits as another part of myself clicks back into place.

Good luck on that journey.