"Physiotherapy team brought me back to life"

I was recently admitted to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for a Mitral Valve repair. The repair went to plan but it was discovered that I had Aortic Dissection. During the repair it later came to light that I had suffered a minor stroke.

This all lead to requiring 24/7 ventilator support and led to me having a tracheostomy to support my breathing for a lengthy period of time. After 1 week I was then transferred to ICU in Ninewells, Dundee and was taken care of in various departments until I was transferred to Arbroath Infirmary.

At this time I had very little strength after spending 11weeks unable to leave my bed. With lots of work and effort with the Physios, I could stand for very short periods of time but required lots of support and equipment like the Stand Aid and Sara Steady. Shortly after my transfer to Arbroath it became very clear that the Physiotherapy team were going to have me working hard to build up my strength. The stroke had left me with a loss of movement and strength in my R leg but the team quickly got to work supplying exercise balls and strengthen exercises.

Within the first month I went from standing with lots of equipment to sending my family a video of me walking with a Gutter Frame the length of the physio room. It was so difficult but I felt a real sense of accomplishment. I was determined to get myself back to normal and with the help, support and encouragement from the physio team and my family it felt possible! At each session the team would have something new for me to try, a new challenge to work towards.

By mid-January my family were able to take me out in a wheelchair for short periods which made me even more determined. I was walking with the use of a Zimmer frame and by late January I was able to get up off my chair myself and walk with my family to the ward door when they were leaving at night. That same week I was upgraded from a Zimmer frame to walking sticks and the challenge started again! I had to find my balance and had less to hold me up. Then the news came that I was  getting to go home in mid February. It was such a shock and I wasn’t sure if I was ready, I was so nervous, but the Physio’s upped their game again and made sure I was more than ready to leave the hospital for good. They took me outside and practiced walking with my two sticks and challenge me on different surfaces. It felt great to just be outside and walking, I felt like I was getting back to my old self again!

Since I’ve been home I have become stronger every week. My balance is nearly back to normal and I am able to walk with 1 stick when I go out and unaided in the house. I am back to driving and have been on holiday! I even have another holiday booked!

Without the support, perseverance and encouragement of the Physio team in Arbroath I would not be where I am today. They were such a helpful and reassuring team who kept me positive throughout this whole experience. I am still attending physiotherapy sessions regularly and make sure to do my home exercises as instructed.

Thank you so much to Sarah, Jerimiah, Alana, Bronwen and Heidi!