"Diary of a Stroke admission"

I'm in my late fifties, too young for a stroke.

I didn't even feel unwell, but at work just after lunch suddenly my speech started coming out all wrong.  Colleagues recognised something was wrong and quickly got me to hospital.  I still didn't think anything was wrong, I just felt a bit funny.

In the emergency room very quickly the stroke team arrived, people were rushing and that is the first time I felt panic.  But the teams first response was to let me know what was happening, who was there and that I was safe.  In an environment where you have no control, feeling safe feels the most important thing, especially when lots is going on around you.

Later that evening I was moved to ward 53 a stroke high dependency ward.  A stroke is confusing and my brains ability to process what was going on was fried.  Moving up to the ward was another stressful change. What helped was I was told exactly where I was going and what was happening.  Even if I didn't remember details, knowing I had been told felt reassuring. 53 is a busy ward but I always felt seen, important and listened to.

After a couple of days I was moved to a Stroke Recovery Ward.  Ward 36, I was in a side ward with 4 beds much less intense, not as many machines around and much more relaxed environment.  But still with the same high level of personal care.

Treatment and care plan felt for individual and centered around what I needed.  It looked different to other patients around me.  My stroke effects were different to each person on the ward and care clearly reflected my needs.

Therapy sessions were intense and often several things happening in the course of a day.  That can feel hard especially when you are tired and want to rest.  But that intensity paid off with big improvements all meaning I could get home quicker, and more importantly able to manage at home.

Staff were also great managing expectations. .I thought I'd be fine after a couple of days, then home and after a couple of weeks be back at work.  That's not how stroke recovery works.  My expectations were well managed without feeling disappointed that timescales were going to be longer than I wanted or expected.

On discharge there was a clear discharge plan, referrals were made and what to expect from community teams well explained.

At home recovery is going well, it is still early days but everything that the ward said would be put in place has been put in place.

Nobody wants to be on a stroke ward, it is a scary confusing time, but staff were fantastic at inspiring hope.

Thank You