Stuart's story highlights fear of stroke - but there can be hope

The fear that goes through your head, when you’re told by your GP to pack your bag for hospital because you may be having a stroke is unimaginable. I’d called my GP with an excruciating headache having had some weakness down one side of my body in the days leading up to it. Other than the headache I was ok; I could walk, use my arm and I was lucid. Yet as far as the doctors were concerned I’d had a stroke. Within 24 hours I was home and that is when the symptoms of a typical stroke started to set in. I lost strength down one side of my body. I couldn’t walk or use my hand properly and I was unable to grip cutlery with my hand. My speech started to deteriorate and I was terrified. My emotions were all over the place and I would cry unexpectedly. The fatigue that came with my stroke was like no fatigue I’d experienced before. After getting up in the morning I would feel the need to go back to bed only two hours later.

COVID made things terribly challenging, I couldn’t see a physiotherapist, and I didn’t even see a nurse at first. The Stroke Association helped greatly when I was in desperate need of help. I watched stroke exercise videos on ‘My Stroke Guide’ to help my mobility. I was referred by the hospital to the Stroke Association’s Connect Service where I was able to ask questions about my stroke and receive information. The most recent support I’ve received is the ‘Here For You’ telephone befriending service. This has been invaluable. The person I speak to had a stroke, so I really feel I can talk to him and he understands. We talk about my frustrations as a result of the stroke, tips for what might help and I’ve been signposted to other sources of support. Stewart has been amazing and reassuring. He has made me more aware of my stroke and instilled confidence in me. Find out more about the ‘Here for You’ service here: www.stroke.org.uk/HereForYou