running after a stroke June 28,  2016  7:22am EST

My stroke was initially accompanied by incontinence, extreme weakness, and slurring of speech. Since it occured on the first day at sea on a trans-Atlantic cruise the only medical help was the ship's doctor. But he would not prescribe anything except to give a confirming diagnosis that I had, indeed, had some kind of stroke. Since he couldn't order an MRI, he wouldn't prescribe since he couldn't rule out a hemorhagic stroke (which would prevent him prescribing a blood thinner). Since my wife was a nurse practitioner, she suggested purchasing some aspirin from the ship's store for a temporary guard against another stroke. (We did not take out cruise medical insurance, and, so, were reluctant to comply with the ship's doctor to have the port agent at Cork, Ireland, to have transport arranged in Cork to obtain an MRI at the Cork hospital). So my condition began improving so that at Cork and at subsequent pots-of-call, my symptoms seem to be abateing. Back in the States, my local neurologist ordered the usual battery of tests following a stroke, with the result: of "no smoking gun" could be found. I continue to take the 370 mg aspirin daily, but continue to experience (during running) a notable weakness (or lack of control?) in my legs accompnied with shortness of breath. I interpret the symptoms as the result of the death of a number of neurons which wouldhave triggered the relevant muscles in my calf and ham string muscles, normally. Of course, the 64 dollar question is, "Will any amount of conditioning bring back those dormant neurons, and if they do, will it be in time to revive those neglected muscles?".This was rather lengthy, but I've learned that there is a dirth of understanding when it comes to strokes and their remedies.