I was 48 and working in a bakery as a sandwich maker I would start work at 6am and finish at 2pm and believe it or not, it was a stressful job. I have three sons’ and at that time they were 27, 25 and 15 and my husband worked (still does) with the Police in Scotland at a station just 5 minutes away from my work.
Christmas Eve 2014, I went to work as usual, I let myself in and started prepping my ingredients. I was on my own for the first half hour till the manager came in. Around 6.30am I started to feel a bit odd, nothing I could put my finger on but I had a feeling that something bad was going to happen. I was trying to cut some sandwiches and I couldn’t hold the knife properly, I had no grip. I was beginning to feel generally unwell. Then I couldn’t hold the knife at all and was having real trouble standing up.
I went to the manager and said I felt ill. I was basically told too bad, as it was only the two of us in I would have to get on with it. I waited another 5 minutes and by this time my brain was telling me I was having a stroke, but I was telling myself don’t be daft. I went downstairs to where the office and staff room were, I don’t remember anything else.
I woke up in Resus at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. My husband tells me I phoned his mobile as he was on his way to start a day shift. He couldn’t understand a word I was saying, I was speaking complete gobbledegook. He knew straight away what was wrong. He came straight to my work and put me in the car and drove to the hospital about 6 miles away.
I remember being told I had had a stroke and we needed to decide if I was to have thrombolysis. It was explained there was a 1 in 4 chance it could make things worse or even fatal, we decided to go for it. I was admitted to the Acute Stroke Unit where I stayed for a week, I remember very little of that week. I had CT scans and was told I had most likely had a clot in my neck that caused the stroke. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t use my left arm or leg, I seemed to be forever wetting the bed and the staff having to change it. The frustration of being sat in a chair with the call button that is just out of reach!
Later, I was moved to the Young Persons Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at Astley Ainsley Hospital. I was the youngest by about 30 years, no joke!! I spent a couple of months there. Having intensive physio, OT, speech, and language therapy. I was sent home able to speak, able to walk using a rollator inside and a wheelchair outside.
At home, I continued to have physio as an outpatient for 12 weeks then it stopped. My bedroom is upstairs so I have a commode for toilet purposes. During this time, I had to attend numerous meetings for work, eventually I was paid off after 13 months.
Today my speech is generally okay. I still forget what things are called from time to time and I slur my words when tired. I can’t walk unaided and I use 2 sticks inside and either the rollator or my wheelchair outside, depending on how far I must go. My left side is still weak and I need some assistance washing and dressing. I can do most things like making tea and toast etc, it just takes a bit longer than before. I spend a lot of time on my own as my husband works shifts with the Police, they have been excellent with him allowing him time off for my various appointments.
At first, I wasn’t happy in my own company at all. I’m now quite ok with it. I have learnt to crochet by watching YouTube videos. I even sell my crocheted baby things now. I still go on holiday to my beloved Pefkos on Rhodes It takes a lot of organising but I feel safe there and know it inside out.
I’m not too fussed about trying to get back into any kind of work. I don’t know what I would be able to do anyway and I’m much more relaxed about money matters. Before, I would worry and was always doing overtime. Now, we are doing fine with my husband’s wage and my PIP and ESA.
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