Invictus

(alert – long post, typos can occur). Some people have noticed that sometimes I don´t answer question online or SMSs/talks, the last 1-1,5 year. So, I thought that I will clarify.

Since I had a job Teams meeting on Monday, I was somehow stressed, since I had no clue to use my computer.

I was wondering what had happened, I also had no eyesight on the right eye, since I had something similar in 2014 (eye challenge, though it was a stroke, it wasn´t), I thought I would wait.

Even it is stupid to drive with “one eye” & extreme headache, I went to job to show & explain that I couldn´t use my computer and my plan was to attend the meeting there.

I drove early, since I wanted drive before the rest of the employees would be on the road. Of course, I forgot my access card, so I had to stop and ask the guard to give me a visitor card.

My brain said: “Good morning! I forgot my card, my employee number is 219844, can I have a visitor card”. I nodded and I opened my mouth and……nada, nothing, no sound…

He looked at me confused and asked me if I was ok? I opened my mouth, again…nada. I thought “What the hell?”. I gave him thumbs up and drove back home (500m).

I was tired, so I started to clean my apartment and washed clothes. I was wondering how to fix my situation.

Tuesday 22nd August. At 07:00 I decided to drive to the hospital. Since I am not often at the doctor I didn`t know that he had move office from the hospital last year. The nurses I met at the hospital were confused since I couldn’t speak or write. I showed my visit card (It is in English) and they started to speak English. I was laughing in my head, since I could understand everything that they said (I could still understand Norwegian, English, German, Swiss-German & Portuguese when I heard it like before). Suddenly one nurse said. Maybe he needs a doctor? I gave thumbs up. And they said that he has moved, so they drew a map and wrote the name of my doctor (They had no clue that I couldn`t understand letters and numbers). So, I did thumbs up and drove home. I was confused and exhausted. So, I went to sleep.

Some hours later I the police knock on my door. They asked if I was Oliver Staudenmann? Thumbs up. They asked it they could enter. Thumbs up.

I saw that they was confused and spoke Norwegian and English and asked if I was Polish. Thumbs down.

Then I heard one of them was speaking on the phone with my daughter, Maria (She was stressed). He asked her what langue I speak. She replied, Norwegian, English, German, Swiss-German & Portuguese (well, not at the moment..). I think I was mostly Italian now with my hands.

Fast forward, the Police called an Ambulance, and I was sent to the Doctor and to the hospital in Stavanger (45min from here, Egersund).

I was a bit confused when my brother came to the hospital the same evening (My memory is a bit blurry about the exact time of events). But I understand that there was many people (family & colleagues – thank you!) involved while I was driving around to find some answers of my situation.

Well, status;

2023 (post August 20th ):

1. Brain stroke, two ruptured arteries. Led to Broca`s Aphasia = couldn`t speak, write or read.

2. Something blinded my right eye.

3. Something did that I had problems with walking balance.

4. I still had cramps & pain in shoulders.

5. Lost my Driver`s license.

6. Can operate my iPhone.

2024:

1. Diagnose: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (Multiple sclerosis (MS) damages the protective cover around nerves called myelin in your central nervous system. It can cause muscle weakness, vision changes, numbness and memory issues. While there isn’t a cure, treatment options can help you manage symptoms and slow disease progression.)

2. So, “Something” 2-4 above is answered. MRI (X-Ray) showed that my first MS attack was probably in 2008.

3. Had new Driving test in May, got back my Driver`s license.

4. Can read (slowly) all (well, four) the languages.

5. Can write (slowly) again: Norwegian (70%), English (30%). Então, Saudade…kkk Portuguese (<5%), Deutsch (<2%).

6. Operate Pc again (well most Mac).

7. Got a granddaughter! 

2025: Well, the rest is for some other chapter.

I have been asked if I remember all before the stroke, the answer is: yes. Amarone & Malbec are still favorites (Even I just have had approx. 6 glass the last 2 years). And, yes, I will travel again and learn new languages.

I am now satisfied. I used 4 hours to write this, and I only used google translate approx..5-6 times to find the words I was looking for.

I would like to thank all people who have helped me through this chapter e of my journey.

Thank you!