Support networks key to overcoming stroke

Mickey Clancy woke up on the morning of her 19th wedding anniversary feeling as if her entire left side had fallen asleep. That 7 o'clock wake-up call would change her life.

Clancy had suffered a stroke in the area of the brain that controls coordination, balance and voluntary movements.

Gone were the plans for an anniversary weekend in Las Vegas, as well as her ability to walk, sit up or even express herself. Gone also were any thoughts of starting a family. Six weeks after her stroke, the former quality control analyst for a biotechnology firm in California took her first steps and realized the woman she once had been was gone forever.

That was 11 years ago. Today the former California resident lives in Lombard and is working to empower, educate and provide support to stroke survivors like herself. Clancy still has some balance problems, walks with a wider stance, struggles through severe back problems, has difficulty multi-tasking and sometimes searches for the right words. But Clancy has absolutely no problem telling other stroke survivors that there is life, hope and potential after suffering a stroke.

Three years ago, the now 52-year-old helped launch Stroke Survivors Empowering Each Other, or SSEEO, with the American Stroke Association. The group works to improve services for stroke survivors, but also helps them network. Last year, the group began a monthly toll-free telephone call-in support group partly sponsored by Alexian Brothers Hospital Network.

For the next three months the group will highlight the emotional side effects of stroke, with Brian Leahy, director of the Neuropsychology Service at the Alexian Neurosciences Institute, leading conversations.

"Social support is the most effective tool in dealing with many of the emotional responses following a stroke," Leahy said. "But there's a catch-22 involved here. Caregivers can get depressed, too, which weakens their ability to reach out to others. Withdrawal only heightens depression and social networks tends to fade away."

Groups like SSEEO can help.

Stroke survivors and their families are only too aware of the devastating physical effects that strokes leave in their wake. Less clear are the psychological consequences.

"The emotional effects sometimes feel like a roller coaster, the biggest one you've ever been on," Clancy said. "In those early years and even today, I become angry, sad, upset for no reason, especially when I'm tired or frustrated about something. And as quickly as it happens, it's over. I know it's coming on, but can't do anything to stop it."

Crying even when not sad, emotional ups and downs, depression, apathy and lack of motivation, fatigue, and denial are some of the most common effects of stroke.

Recognizing depression symptoms is important, but often difficult, Leahy said.

"It's important to recognize which neurological factors can look like depression and be open to different kinds of treatment," Leahy said. "Not everyone recovers from depression with anti-depression medication. They may respond better to different behavioral treatments."

A stroke ravages the brain in a split second, but it can take months and even years to feel any sense of normalcy…a new normal.

"Life can be satisfying and hope-filled again," Clancy said. "I'm a better me now. I'm focused on things that I can do in my daily life. I'm able to bring change for me and for others."

The first call-in support group will be at noon Friday. Participation is free but advance registration is required. Call (800) 677-5481, ext. 7438. After you provide your name, mailing address, e-mail address and phone number, someone will call back with an 800 call-in number and pass code that allows access to the conference.