"I had a stroke"

I had a stroke , my husband said I was lying in bed awkwardly, and when I sat up I couldn’t speak and bouncing of the walls. He called my sister, and as soon she saw was me she called an ambulance.

Within 1/2 hours I was up in a ward, the first 2 days were a blur, inside I was panicking and anxious as I felt helpless and no communication made it worse, I wouldn’t use my right arm or hand and as I am right handed I was helpless in all aspects. The worst part was seeing my family’s faces then they came in, especially my husband and my sister - we had just lost my mum the year before and my dad has Alzheimer’s and has had 6 strokes since she died,the thought of me now lying there broke them.

The staff in the hospital were absolutely on the ball. From doctors, nurses , physio, OT, dinner ladies and cleaners, I can’t thank them enough. When I was discharged from hospital I had a few days at home before I went into Hairmyers Hospital to get surgery on the left side of my neck - my artery was 80% blocked. The doctors and nurses who attended me were excellent also, they made me feel as ease and I also felt I was in safe hands.

I spent one night in hospital before I got home to start my recovery, .a week later I got a phone call off Elaine to ask how I was and arranged for her to come for a visit, when she was out she explained all the help that is  available for me, and put me in touch with Coathill Hospital, and to this day she is still is regular contact with me.

I then got a call from Emily from speech therapy and she arranged a house call. The house call went well , she had a good look in my mouth and explained the sort of food that would be suitable for me to eat, the next meeting took place at Coathill and which I enjoyed very much. She explained all about Ashphia, and really worked with me on my ability to tackle the most difficult words. We set goals together no matter how weird they sounded they were suited to me and things that thought were important to see

While I was seeing Emily she noted I was having difficulty with my right arm, I was having a lot of pain in it so she had a word with Lesley who was a physio, and since then I have attended physio. I unfortunately still have difficulty with it to this day , so I haven’t been able to do much exercise. She suggested acupuncture to help ease the pain, I am now on my second week and so far it’s going well.

I also attend the OT with Laura which I enjoy , she explained how important it is to ensure I eat healthy and regular. She advised me how to plan my daily routine to ensure I have proper resting periods, I also have regular homework to take home from all three that keeps me on my toes .

I recently got discharged from speech therapy as I have reached all my goals , and we both are happy with how far I have came. I still have trouble with my speech but nothing I can’t cope with and I get a lot of help from my family and we also are able to laugh at my mistakes, I feel relaxed and any anxiety I had is behind me , and it’s all down to the help I have received from everyone x