Tips for stroke-surviving software engineers

Suffered a stroke in 2004 (migrainous infarction). Became half blind. Rested for a good year. Became a photographer for 8 years, then switched back again to software development. From then on, the limits were: WFH only, limit stress, run away from job if things go bad again. Nap if brain feels exhausted. Sleep, more and better. 20 years later (53yo), I'd say I'm doing great! Also fitness helps remind me to take care of the body...

Had a stroke 2 months ago at 55, after an entire life (professionally since I'm 16) as a dev. I mostly followed these rules apart from when I got dragged into a project that was sufficiently interesting that I started overworking. 12-14h days.

Just don't do that. I used to do that just fine and that's why I thought I was OK. I mean, I USED to go on in huge coding benders, did'nt I ? Well apparently not at 55, when the pressure has been on for months instead of weeks.

Other things to watch -- diet! With the work came less free time, put on weight etc and all the good habits I had built for years, disappeared.

And the worst bit you can think of is "Oh but I'm so CLOSE to being done, I'll just fix it up later when I can relax". Just don't.

I lost all sensation on the right side. It is coming back slowly. I can still work, didn't lose speech or mobility or strength, I consider myself super-mega-lucky in that.

Strikes close to home. 8 years ago I was in a bike accident that took me out for 4 months. I instantly felt dumber. The headaches became a fact of life, and the need to get out of the house early in the day to avoid brain fog creeping in became a routine.

It... sucks. I've still progressed my career and made significant strides, and come to appreciate things that I never would have noticed if I kept on my previous trajectory, and while I don't think about it much anymore, for years it ate at me.

Good advice. I had one young too; I worked long days and had no life outside my company; it was in an economic downturn so I was also burning out (hindsight). I figured out what was important to me and that all changed everything.

I think these are also good strategies for anyone who suffers from mental illness/burnout.

Most of the advice is good for pre-stroke persons too. Might even avoid having one.

I haven't had a stroke (yet) but I find all that to be generally good advice. Good read!

> Let it hold state so your brain can judge rather than store and needlessly cogitate on stuff.

Isn’t that needless cogitation something that helps creating new links in your brain and helps against cognitive decline in later ages?

Good read. Recovery takes time, and steady small steps help rebuild skill and focus.

Thank you for sharing.

Reading this, I'm reminded of the idea that we should all care about accessibility, because barring death or radical advances in restorative medical technology, we will all rely on accessibility tech in some way eventually.

Besides what is listed here, have you observed anything that your coworkers or managers can do to help accommodate you? i.e. Is there a version of this for folks working with stroke-surviving software engineers?

FYI that article is rendering light-grey text on a cream background color here (Safari, iOS), it’s barely readable

I had a stroke when I opened this site and it was light mode