"My stroke recovery journey"

I went from a ‘healthy’ independent person to the opposite extreme in a matter of seconds earlier this year.

I went on an emotional rollercoaster, but under all my feelings was a song – ‘Be Still and Know That I Am God’. I started singing this song to myself as I lay on the floor waiting for the two hours to pass until my husband was due to return time.

I was transported to Peel Health Campus. I have already written to compliment the staff there for their exceptional care for my whole being there that night, right down to the PCA (patient care assistant) who stayed and held my hand while my husband went to make phone calls.

I was told I would be transported to Fiona Stanley and there I would receive the best treatment.

I was taken up to a ward on the 6th floor. As I was transferred onto a bed the nurse was singing 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus'.

It was obvious I was totally paralysed on my left side from a bleed the size of a golf ball. But how thankful was I that I could talk, remember, and see clearly.

How amazed I was at my family. I had always worried because I only had sons that I would not be cared for in a crisis. I had suitable pyjamas and toiletries within hours. My husband was my constant companion and my daughter-in-law made sure he had a supply of meals for the week.

Although I was no longer in control, I felt so much love. My grandchildren were bought in often and encouraged to massage my hand and brush my hair and just cuddle me.

On Father’s Day we had a picnic in my room; pizza and cake.

On Day 6 I was taken to the State Rehab Unit.

Prayers were being answered. My first question was ‘will I be going to a nursing home?’ – ‘no’ was the reply.

I started physio with Meagan; I can only say her method of using the element of surprise didn't give me a chance to panic. During my first session I stood up and I think they called it walking but I would say I didn't do much of the work that day. I knew then that if I would stand I could be able to transfer. That was very positive for me. I had huge difficulty finding the mid-line of my body. Meagan would encourage my husband to stand to my right just out of my reach and tease me so I would lean my body that way.

Two and a half weeks after the initial hospitalisation I had 3 hours leave, and we went to the park for my husband's birthday. It was great to be out. It took some getting used going in a car. The park was confronting as only a few weeks before I had been there playing with my granddaughter, and now I was there in a wheelchair.

During the next week the social worker said I was marked for discharge in 3 weeks I went into total panic mode as I couldn't walk and still had no use of my hand. This was a huge problem as I am very left handed.

Meagan calmed me down and promised nobody would be discharged who wasn't ready.

During that week my physio concentrated on transfers and standing. The next weekend I came home each day. Our home had ramps installed and I had a wheeled commode. It was a crazy, busy weekend with lots of visitors.

By now I was getting some very limited use of my left hand. A problem for me was I had been encouraged to start using my right. I know there is no crystal ball but it did create some problems that have now been resolved and I will mention later.

The next week physio concentrated on walking along with correct posture. My arm and I still weren't friends, but I did have some movement.

We had a family meeting on my birthday. So positive, except that is when I heard for the first time something I knew but didn't want to hear – ‘no driving’.

I was home that weekend for overnighters. I was told that if I could leave the wheelchair outside and manage to walk with close supervision around the house I would be able to come home the following week. I now had a shower bench and bed rail added to my equipment.

So all the panic on my part of the estimated discharge date was not needed.

I don't think there are enough words to express how dedicated every member of staff in the rehab unit are to their career. There encouragement and excitement at each milestone is inspiration to push on. So I walked out of the State Rehab unit just over a month after my initial hospitalisation.

Then begins life at home, and all its challenges and frustrations, both physically and emotionally. Anything I tried to do ended badly and even personal care took forever and was totally exhausting.

My husband and I were at each other’s throats and that was scary. I needed him more than ever and yet was completely irrational.

RITH started and a little more structure brought security and increased confidence.

When I was challenged as to what I could do I started to say why aren't I doing my shoelaces and buttoning my blouse. I relearned to tie my shoelaces at the same time as my young granddaughter. It felt so good.

Going back to starting to use my right hand, by now I was extremely protective of my very swollen painful left hand. The RITH occupational therapist (OT) and physio put me on a program where I covered my right hand and only used my left hand for a certain time each day. Although the program caused me to have a major meltdown, because the world is designed to be right-handed, I really started to focus on my left. I remember the first time I removed the oedema glove and washed my hands together. Bliss.

The meltdown also gave me a chance to talk with a social worker and neuro OT which was very helpful in understanding more of the emotional effects of having a stroke.

After six or seven weeks with RITH, I have moved to the next stage of rehab.

I have reached so many of my goals through their guidance and techniques – ‘do it 200 times and the brain learns a new path.’

Sure, tapping my fingers isn't exciting but going back to playing the piano is.

Stretching up and putting something on a shelf isn't fun but, pegging the washing for me was a great end reward.

Taking all the equipment back to the hospital was freedom and that walk to the park and pushing my granddaughter on a swing was all my dreams come true.

RITH does the part that a hospital can't do because there is no place like home.

One day at a time.