An Unexpected Detour
Kris’s Story—Her Difficult Journey Following a Catastrophic Stroke
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My life, for as long as I can remember, has been influenced by my perception of what I wanted to do or be "when I grew up." Each step was mapped out for me by loving parents and doting grandparents. As I matured and it was time for me to enter college, some of my earlier plans changed drastically, ranging from becoming an attorney, psychologist, teacher, special education teacher, and ultimately, a special education diagnostician. But all options being seriously considered were those that fulfilled my desire to be successful in my chosen profession and to live a life looking down my road to "happily ever-after." As the new year dawned in 2009 I was full of plans. My position as a Special Ed Diagnostician was both challenging and rewarding. Each day that passed gave me a sense of accomplishment and hope for the future - the future academic growth and success of the children whose lived I touched every day. My career was headed down the right path, I was enjoying motherhood, and each day was full of promise and love. Then, March 28, 2009, was the first day of the rest of my life. I say this because everything from that day until now, is so extremely different from the life I had built with such resolve. When I went to bed on March 27th, I had no way of knowing that my life was about to be forever changed. In the early morning I suffered what was diagnosed as a dissected carotid artery stroke that affected the left hemisphere of my brain, and in most cases is fatal. I was a patient in two hospitals where I spent 65 days receiving varying levels of professional care. My story is written in the hope that reading it will help stroke survivors, their families and loved ones better understand what can be done to cope with disabilities, disappointments, realistic expectations, and possibilities for a productive life after a stroke.
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About the Book
This is the story of how a successful, professional young educator, wife, and mother survived a near-fatal and debilitating stroke at the age of thirty-six. It was written in the hopes that her lessons learned and recounted experiences will help other stroke victims, their families, and friends as they begin their own period of discovery and healing. Every stroke is different, but recovery protocols are very similar for each survivor and those who love them. Perhaps this book will be a road map as they collectively navigate a myriad of fears, hopes, feelings of despair, and needs during their own personal journey back.
About the Author
Ann Cochran had a successful first career in the fields of legal and construction administration. Following several years of working in those areas, she decided to join a friend in a local interior decorating company where she stayed for 3 years. At the advanced age of 30 she settled down in her lengthly career in field office marketing in the defense and aerospace industry. She is a dedicated wife, homemaker, loving mother of 4, and a doting grandmother of 6. Writing this book has been a labor of love while collaborating with her youngest daughter Kiirstin’s story about her devastating stroke and the ensuing 8 year struggle to cope with her disabilities, all the while raising a 2 year old son.