Claire

My story before and after stroke

My name is Claire and here is my story.  In 2009 things were great I was 30 and had a loving partner 4 kids and I was working part time and went on holiday once per year. Xmas was fast approaching working overtime to pay for it, I was getting headaches which was usual for me.  On 12th December 2009 I had a headache took paracetamol and carried on with my day, this headache wasn't budging so when came home I got a bath and that's where it started ...  I don't remember much from there on so please bear with me.

I came downstairs sat down had a cuppa but spilled it as I dropped the cup, I was asked if I was OK and as I answered my speech went weird plus the headache was now a massive migraine. Doubled over holding my head I threw up like a thick black stuff at the time we didn't no it was blood. At that moment an ad came on TV the FAST ad my partner wasted no time in calling 999 next thing blue flashing lights.  What I said above is how my partner saw it happening. I drifted in and out of consciousness and was left on what my partner describes as a death ward where you're not expected to make it. 

He came next day to see me. I was so happy to see him but couldn't tell him what was wrong with me as I wasn't sure myself all I knew was when I got up to use the loo I dropped to the floor I couldn't get up. I was scared to tell him this in case he left me, however he told me I'd had a stroke caused by loads of bleeds on my brain that is what he'd been told. I was devastated I lost the feeling in my right side and couldn't do hardly anything for myself and all I did was cry thinking he would definitely leave me now. How wrong was I he told me not to be silly I was his world mum of his kids and he loved me no matter what.  

In March of 2010 I was doing quite well taking steps here and there and learning to cook again, however I kept being sick. Advised to have a coil fitted as pill was no longer option due to not knowing cause of bleeds, I went to family planning confident that I'd have the coil. I had shock of my life I was pregnant how is that possible I explained about having the stroke. Dating scan showed that I conceived around 15 December another shock seeing as I had stoke on 12th and wasn't discharged till 23rd lol. 

Visits to neurologist told us baby had saved my life and my brain must have received messages from within to reboot like a computer.  Now in 2016 my little boy is a healthy 5yr old, I'm now engaged to the man who sticks by me no matter what, our other kids are older and help look after me are really protective of me and tell people about my stroke and how proud of me they and my partner are with how I've done loads in my aceivements in learning to do things again and how far I have come. I love my little family and my partner so much I think that's why I recovered as they say love conqueres all.