"Second to none care and assistance"

Over Christmas 2024 I had a stroke. I'm carer for my disabled husband and it was the Christmas period, I had plans, I couldn't stop for this. If I did what would happen to my husband. Anyway it might not be a stroke and besides the doctors surgery would be closed. So I did nothing until for four days until the surgery re-opened. I was given an emergency appointment and the GP gave me an urgent hospital referral. I had time to arrange care for my husband and a friend accompanied me to hospital, where I had a multitude of scans. A diagnosis was given, it was indeed a stroke. I was sent home the same day with a new medication regime. 

I now had weakness in my left hand and leg. I couldn't hold anything in my left hand without fear of dropping it and had great difficulty walking. I felt that I was dragging my left foot and was unable to lift it from the ground and was having to use a stick to assist me.

Over the next few weeks I did slowly improve but was left feeling quite depressed with my own stupidity. I could now carry one cup but not a tray and I had to really think about lifting my leg to be able to walk, even with the stick. Getting upstairs was a major problem.

This is when I met the Romsey Hospital Care Team. 

They came expecting to access my needs, but I didn't need equipment. What I needed was to be able to walk like a normal person again. Heidi swung into action, immediately giving me an exercise to help me reach my goals. Over the next few weeks Heidi and Caren came and spent time with me giving me a simple but effective exercise regime. Each time they came they went through the exercises with me, ensuring I was doing them correctly. Their diligence paid off. Instantly I was able to get out of my chair without fear of falling. Over the next few weeks the simple hand exercises have given me strength in carrying and confidence in carrying things. I no longer use a stick and can now walk without stumbling and without having to think about what I'm doing. And I can confidently walk upstairs unaided.

I've gone from thinking of myself as disabled and possibly needing a stair lift to being an almost normal person. 

I couldn't have done any of this without the help and care from Heidi and Karen of the Romsey Care Team. Their care and assistance with me has been second to none. I cannot thank them enough for their help in restoring me to a normal life.

PS I've learnt my lesson, my health matters, and we now have arrangements in place to care for my husband should anything present itself again.