I am not going off of my theme of parenting tips and advice as stroke can happen to anyone, of any age; even children and babies.
When I was a child , my uncle suffered a stroke in his forties. I thought that this was unusual as stroke only happens to old people, doesn’t it?
Little did I know what lay ahead of me.
One morning I woke with the mother of all headaches; as I have always suffered from headaches, including migraine, I wasn’t overly concerned.
I walked my dog as usual after taking some paracetamol, then still with the headache went into town with my husband. I wanted to walk in hoping it might help to shift the pain (it didn’t)
After lunch and more paracetamol I drove a few miles to collect my son from a friend’s house were he had stayed for a sleepover. I then drove him and his friends back into town, chatting to the lads helped me to forget about my headache a little, but it was still there.
That evening after taking a shower I was drying my hair when I really began to feel unwell, I called my husband.
The next thing I knew was a few days later when I woke up in hospital. I had suffered a massive stroke aged 43, this has left me without the use of my left side.
At first we all thought that I would make a full recovery. I had my stroke on a Saturday evening when the A& E department was particularly busy so I was left waiting, my husband and I think that this contributed to the severity of my stroke, although we can’t be sure.
Much to my husband’s disappointment I never lost the ability to talk, but I rely on a wheelchair when I go out, I can walk a short distance indoors with the aid of a leg splint and heavy duty walking stick.
My stroke has meant a complete change of lifestyle for everyone I had to give up my beloved career as a registered child minder and my husband has had to stop working as a self employed painter and decorator to become my carer.
I started writing a blog as a way to share the knowledge that I gained from the 14 years as an early years professional.
Before stroke I would ride every weekend, I have been riding at the Calvert trust, Exmoor several times but it is nothing compared to what I used to be able to do on a horse.
I have also just started to feel brave enough after 11 years to go out alone in my electric wheelchair.
With the help of family and some amazing friends I still have a social life and some laughs along the way.
I must point out that I didn’t experience any of the symptoms mentioned in the F.A.S.T. stroke awareness advertisement on the television, just the terrible headache.
I have much to be grateful for; my stroke happened at home and not while I was driving with my son and his friends in the car, or while I was looking after my minded children.
I am still fighting, still talking (very well!) and will never give up.
Stroke doesn’t have to be the end of life- it just means living a life differently than I had planned.
I hope that by writing about my experience of stroke it will help and inspire others.
Until next time.
Karen
x
Thank you for a very informative post. My dear sister passed away from strokes at a young age. It’s encouraging to hear that your life is so full, despite your injury. Thanks be to God you are still able to enjoy so much of life.
Thanks for your lovely comment, sorry to hear about your sister xx
What a lovely blog Karen , you have been amazing you just make the best of your life , not once have you said “why me” and you certainly don’t moan and feel sorry for yourself. Strokes are one of the worst things to have and you had a really bad one. Keep up the good work
Thanks so much, I will admit to thinking why me at times, but as I can’t change what has happened, I try to just get on with it x
Thank you for sharing this so honest and brave post, so inspiring.Please do keep on blogging about your experience!!! #thesatsesh
Thanks, I will x
Hard to imagine how difficult it must have been for you with such a huge change not only in your health but in your daily life but amazing you can find some positives
It has been difficult, Sarah, but as I can’t change what has happened, I can only look at the positives to be able to survive, thanks for your comment x
What a lovely, brave and honest post. I am glad that you are now able to go out and about on your own in your wheelchair and that you have such good family and friends around you. Well done for being so strong through what must have been such a terrible experience and coming out the other side to face the world! #KCACOLS
What a brave post to write Karen. I’m glad that you feel able to go out and about on your own a bit more now and that you have been able to keep up with some of your interests. #MixItUp
Thank you for sharing your experience.You may have saved lives by publishing this. My mother had a stroke, but she was much older. It caused dementia in her, and she was never the same afterward. I am glad to hear that you can go out and about. You are a strong, brave woman. Blessings to you!
Thanks for your kind words, one thing that I didn’t mention is that since stroke my memory seems to have been supercharged, wish it had been like this when I was taking exams! X
You are a strong and brave woman. Thank you for sharing your story. I am so glad you are able to continue with some of your interests. Blessings to you. #KCACOLS
That was so interesting Karen – I get a LOT of headaches/migraines and waking up with one is quite normal for me – and I do exactly what you did to try to get on top of them. It’s scary to think how easily it can go from a “normal” headache to something much more serious in only minutes. I’m so glad you can focus on the positives and that life is still good for you and your family.
An honest, informative and brave post. Thank you for sharing and keep on being an inspiration ! #TriumphantTales
When I was in hospital there was a girl of 18 years on my ward who had a massive stroke. I watched her recover from coma to being able to walk and talk again. Being so young I think helped her recovery but she still struggled. It can happen to anyone. You sound like you are making the most of your new situation, well done for getting out and about and back on a horse. And well done on sharing your story and letting people know just how much a stroke can affect you. Never give up x
#thesatsesh my fav thing about blogging is when people share part of their lives. What an experience and defo keep pushing the boundaries and challenging your condition
Thank you so much for sharing. I’m sure your story will help others. I have a friend that recently suffered a stoke in her late 40s and we don’t know if she’ll ever recover fully. Well done you for starting to get out and about on your own again. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.
Thank you for sharing your inspirational story on #itsok. It is only when we are faced with life’s challenges do we realise our true strengths. It is tough I am sure, but the attitude you have is great – that life does not have to come to an end; one just has to find another way of living it.
A very inspiring post with such important messages – i’m so pleased you’re now feeling confident enough to go out independently. Thanks so much for sharing so candidly about how the stroke has affected your life and how it crept up on you. #thesatsesh xx
A very brave and informative post to share #blogstravaganza
You are such an inspiration that something that seems so life shattering just requires a change to the mindset. I’m so glad to hear you’re venturing out in the electric wheelchair alone, hopefully the wind blowing through your hair 😉
#GlobalBlogging
Hi Karen, it just goes to show we never know what’s around the corner. It was very lucky you weren’t driving or childminding at the time of your stroke. The consequences would have been unthinkable.
Thank you for sharing your story with #keepingitreal.
xx
Popping back from #Blogstravaganza – thank you for linking up and sharing your experience. It must have been terrifying, but what a strong and positive attitude you have.
Thanks Jo, it hasn’t been easy, but as I have said I am still fighting and still annoying my husband by taking! X
You are one brave momma, a real inspiration. Thank you for writing about stroke and showing us you can still live your very best life. I wish you good health going forward! #KCACOLS xox
Thank you, Lisa x
Back at you, from #mixitup xoxo
Oh Karen, what a story- it just goes to show it can happen to anyone at anytime. I am so pleased to read you have such support around you! Thanks for sharing your story.
Back for a visit, from #ablogginggoodtime xoxo
Karen thank you for sharing details of your ordeal. Like you my husband’s experience did not include any of the FAST advertisement and it is important for people to realise that those symptoms are not exclusive. Also as you say speed at identifying and treating the symptoms is imperative for a better recovery but often that is not possible. It is wonderful that you have managed to adapt your life and have such a supportive network of family and friends. Happy New Year to you. #TweensTeensBeyond
I had a mini-stroke (TIA) at 30 years old. I also had the terrible headache with no other symptoms. I have speech and short term memory issues as a result.
It’s a long way back from a stroke and I’m glad to see that you have been able to make a new life for yourself.
Karen this is an uplifting and positive post and you have an important story to tell. I hope that many others read it and take the message on board. Have a great 2019 and thanks so much for sharing you post with us at #TweensTeensBeyond
I have so much respect for your positivity Karen. You are inspirational and it is a joy to read how you continue to adapt your life to include the things you love to do in the best way that you can. That takes huge strength and I hope you continue to unravel new lifelong loves each and every day. Thank you for sharing with #tweensteensand beyond and I hope that 2019 brings all that you wish for.
Thank you so much, Nicky for both kind words x