Benjamin So Rocks

At 27, Benjamin Buchanan didn’t think that continuing to smoke and engage in the practice of “dabbing” while smoking could actually have any seriously negative health affects on his body.  His perspective drastically changed when he received a life changing wake up call in December 2017 after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke.  Read about how he is changing his life for the better through his faith and courage to overcome all obstacles on his stroke recovery journey.  

So around this time last year I went to a doctors appointment complaining about chest pains. After a few tests and ultrasounds, the doctor diagnosed me with a congenital heart abnormality. At the time, I was super into dabbing and smoking marijuana and smoking cigarettes.  The doctor told me if I didn’t quit smoking I should be expecting a heart attack or a stroke within the next 8-10 months. So I decided to go against the doctor’s advice and continued to smoke.

By December 13, 2017, I had a vessel in my brain burst to abnormal circulation which resulted in me having a hemorrhagic  stroke. I was completely paralyzed and put into a medically induced coma.

 When I woke up in the hospital, I couldn’t believe it was real. I felt like my family was playing a joke on me. I ended up spending 22 days in the hospital before I was transferred to an acute rehab facility. The physical therapists and occupational therapists that I was working with in the hospital said I’d be there 6-8 weeks. Depending on my progress, I woke up everyday just wanting to go back to sleep! So pissed off at the position I was in. And through a lot of prayer and 3 hours of therapy a day – occupational, physical and speech, I only had to spend 8 days in the rehab center! The doctor, and the therapists were amazed.

I have crappy insurance so I haven’t had my brain scanned since back in December.  I had two seizures while I was in recovery at the hospital due to over medicating. The doctors were giving me 45mg of morphine every 8 hrs, and up to six 10mg Norco pills as breakers in between waiting for the morphine.

The first thing the doctor did when I got to the rehab center was take me off the pain meds and put me on some other pain reliever. I can’t remember the name, but the doctor at the rehab center did not want me on opioids at all!! And he was shocked to see the dosses they had me on.

Now I’m just chillin still waiting to see a neurologist. A couple weeks ago, I got my referrals for the outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy and they said I’m good, I don’t gotta do anymore of them. They were all shocked by the progress I’ve made since December.  

I’ve got personality issues, depression and anxiety from what I can tell. I’m really anxious about getting in to see the neurologist to see how it’s looking. I’m not sure how you guys feel about religion, but I’ve been really focused on devoting my life to GOD.  Since all this happened, I’ve realized I ain’t trying to gamble my life not knowing where I’m going.

To continue to follow Benjamin’s journey, follow him at @binyaminyo on Instagram.  Connect with more stroke and brain injury survivors on the YouSoRock Facebook Support Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/yousorock.