"Long waits and then little sleep"

It didn't start well, would have been a 4-hour wait for an ambulance. So my wife drove me to QMC (about 30 min drive), to check into A&E. Waited over 1.5 hours to see triage nurse. Then another 3 hours or so to see Doctor. The doctor said if I could've seen them within 4.5 hours I could've had a special injection, but now it was too late (6hrs).

Directed to a trolley in a busy corridor where I spent the next 6 hours and put on a drip.

Sent to C5, Intensive Care Stroke ward, around lunch time, tired and confused. I think I had BP, pulse and light flashed in my eyes and given some pills and water.

Not sure how well this went as I was way too sleepy, confused and anxious about my condition.

Slept for a short while and woken for more BP, pulse, eyes flashed and asked for my name, DOB and where I thought I was.

Sandwich and drink for lunch, was difficult to eat/drink.

By mid pm felt uncomfortable and sat on the side of the bed to alter my position - I was promptly told off for this.

Later I asked nurse if I could go to the bathroom, I was OK to walk there unaided.

Had an orange juice drink brought but semi reclined it was difficult to drink so I inclined the bed top end myself to make it more comfortable and easier to drink - got told off again. I would've preferred some assistance rather a telling off.

Managed to eat a sandwich and enjoyed a milky coffee later. Plus more trips to the bathroom by myself, gave me a chance to stretch my legs - didn't get told off anymore.

That night the ward was very noisy all night, various alarm noise and changing receptacle bins. The lighting was full on till very late. Wished I'd had a blindfold and ear plugs to help. Every 2 hours I'd be disturbed for BP and pulse checked and bright light flashed in both eyes - little sleep.

Next day went much better, I still made my own way to the bathroom to clean teeth etc. The walking there and back was giving me the opportunity to exercise a little bit, but enjoyed visits from stroke support team to help me with my speech and another visit for physio checks on my ability with my legs, arms and hands.

These visits gave me reassurances on my progress. I felt better that those visits felt like they'd gone quite well.

Enjoyed my walks to the bathroom and included having a shower that day. Also sent for a CT scan.

I was moved to a side room, because it was available and I was able to use the bathroom independently. Freeing my bed position in the ward for another patient.

The side room was much better, less noise and its own light switch. Nurse was very helpful by saying my night checks would only be every 4 hours so I got a lot more sleep.

Third day consultant said I would possibly be discharged, subject to MRI scan and carotid doppler flow tests being OK. After the scans I had to go back to main ward, as a patient with covid needed to be isolated in the room.

After a delay (fire alarm in another area) delaying issue of meds from pharmacy, I was discharged at about 5 pm. Slept well.

After this I've had follow up assessments at home.

These I found most supportive giving me tests for physical ability, touch sensitivity, peripheral vision. Most usefully cognitive tests (which were fun).

Also support regarding my swallowing reflex. This has been a worrying concern due to the choking, whilst taking my evening medication just before my stroke occurred. Overall the physio, speech and swallowing reflex support visits during and following my time in hospital were bright cases of care and reassurance of progress at a time when otherwise I would not know how I was progressing or what to expect.

It would've been very helpful for my wife to ask a few questions regarding the safety of exercising to my usual level of ability and general recovery time scale from a stroke.

After having a cardiac stent fitted some years ago I was able to attend a six week course of exercises under supervision to regain my physical fitness at the gym in the city hospital.

I would find it very helpful if there was a similar course for recovery from stroke.