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Let’s talk neuroplasticity and healing
I work in a hospital as a rehab assistant. I start seeing Stroke patients from within their first 48 hours in the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit.
While their shock, surprise and fear varies from patient to patient — there is that one question that comes up every single time.
“How long will it take me to recover?”
I find this question hard to answer every time, emotionally, but not practically. But in practical terms, my answer is always the same.
That answer is frustratingly vague and non-committal.
Not because I don’t want to commit, exactly, but because I can’t. Nobody can tell too much in the early days of a Stroke. Not me, not your Consultant, and none of the nurses or therapists.
Our experiences show us that there are too many variables to know how fast or how much a person will recover.
For example:
- No two people are the same
- No two Strokes are exactly the same
- No two recoveries will look quite the same
- Age and physical health makes a difference to your ability to heal
