"Stroke Patient thoughts on improvement"

My Story

I suffered  stroke some 19 weeks ago, (just over 4 months ago).  At first I thought I was ok but after 4 weeks and half days hospital, I had had enough of it all and was ready  to come home.

At first I felt ok, but the stroke had a strange effect. I realised I hadn't been able to get down to thinking about it and still find it difficult to do so. I had become sort of muted about life and didn't say much, but then after a week back at Church I took my singing into my hands and went for it. Thank God I did because I wouldn't have made much obvious improvement had I not done this. I went back a week before Easter, some 5 weeks following my stroke and I have been to Church every single occasion since. (thought I would mention that, as it is important to me) I have been singing in Church choirs over 60 years.

I began work with the Nursing Team by way of an interview with Shelley within 1 week of my initial diagnosis saw Roanne (OT) a week later and was able to see Margaret, my speech Therapist a couple of weeks thereafter.  I was able to see 3 Therapists for 3 weeks until Roanne was admitted to hospital for booked surgery. (Is she recovering and indeed recovered well enough to return to her full-time duty? I wish her well whatever).

Her replacement was Rhea who was an OT. I got on well with all the Stroke Team nurses I saw over the next 3 months who helped me make enough progress to bid them farewell. I do not think I would have improved to the extent I have done, had I not seen these 4 Nurses. I shall be forever grateful to them.

I still don't feel well - that is, the same as I was before my stroke and I find that frustrating. However, I realise that it is going to take me longer to recover than I had thought.

My partner's thoughts on my improvement:

My partner was very keen that I should add something to his story under the above heading. So firstly echo his gratitude to all the four therapists he has mentioned. Their incredibly prompt  support, their expertise and advice combined with their friendliness contributed much, I am sure, to my partner's undoubted progress.

I am also impressed that notwithstanding their work with my partner has ended, he is to be reviewed not only six months, but also twelve months from the date of his stroke. I was finally further impressed when he was referred to specialists in the team other than those mentioned, namely Posy and Gavin (forgive me if I have miss recalled his name) being psychologist and physiotherapist respectively to ensure  that no aspect of my partner's health was not considered.

Despite the fact that he still feels, to use his words' unwell' and acknowledging that of course he is still struggles on occasion to do things as he used to, he continues to improve and in my heart (inexpert) opinion, has made enormous progress in what is still relatively a short period of time.  I am confident, as always have been, that he will continue to recover and improve over time.