Written By : Imran Razib
Alina (not her real name) had turned 49 two weeks before her stroke. She had just got home from work and served her children dinner. She sat down to watch television and noticed spots in her vision, as if she had been staring at the sun. She thought it strange but was convinced it would go away.
When it didn’t and only grew worse, it dawned on her that this wasn’t normal. She got worried and called her doctor.
As she was speaking to him, she had an odd feeling in her hand. The doctor said he was calling an ambulance and asked Alina to stay on the line. When she told him she didn’t need an ambulance, she was sternly told her symptoms weren’t good.
The ambulance team called and asked for her details, which she gave but she couldn’t remember her own phone number. She knew this was unusual but thought maybe it was because she was panicky with everything that was going on.
Her focus after that was to remain calm and keep her children from seeing the ambulance as she didn’t want them to be anxious. She went out to the porch to wait and quickly said goodbye to her husband. She took a few steps and noticed she was walking diagonally.
Then she collapsed.
Alina was aware but was unable to construct words to communicate. It felt like she couldn’t control anything. When she woke up, she realised she couldn’t move her right arm or leg, and her speech sounded different.
The medical team explained that she had suffered a mild stroke, and indicated where it had occurred in her brain. They also detailed the treatment they had given her, including medication she had to take for life.
Alina was in total shock. She asked if she would ever get movement back in her arm and leg. The doctors said they were not sure as they couldn’t tell how much brain injury she sustained. Only time would tell; if her body started to improve early, it meant she was more likely to make a good recovery.
She started a rehabilitation programme with the help of her doctor, nurse and physiotherapist. Her son and daughter were her biggest heroes – they would encourage her to colour and draw with them “to wake up mummy’s hand”.
Alina would get regular physiotherapy exercises twice a day. Over time, with dedication and hard work, her hand and leg mobility got better and her strength returned. Today, she pretty much has most of their functions back.
She finds that the biggest challenge in her day-to-day life is tiredness and loss of concentration. This tiredness comes on suddenly, wherever she is, and makes ordinary things difficult, if not impossible, to do. Simple things like writing, having a conversation, or thinking at work become impossible.
Four months after her stroke, she has returned to work, and has adopted a healthier lifestyle involving better food choices and more exercise.
She has made new friends and looks forward to joining them for morning walks before work. Her weight has improved and she feels more confident about herself and her health.
Alina is sharing her story so people will educate themselves about the “FAST” symptoms of stroke:
Facial drooping
Arm weakness
Speech difficulties
Time to call for help
She reiterates that speed and time are important, and that being young – below age 50 – is no guarantee that one will not have a stroke.
Stroke is a silent killer. More women die of it than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer. The best way to prevent it is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and not to drink too much alcohol.
These lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and arteries becoming clogged with fatty substances, which are the main causes.
TELEME Healing Life Stories is a collection of inspirational stories of how ordinary people triumph over their health conditions and recover to lead a healthier life after that. Feel free to email hello@teleme.co to share your story.
