"My unexpected journey"

Following being diagnosed with a bleed stroke, I was transferred to ward 6B. 

The specialist senior medical team saw me first thing in the morning and clarified the information held thus far on why a relatively healthy person in their 40s may have a stroke. By this stage, my left leg was limited in movement and my right arm was completely paralysed from the shoulder down. The nursing staff were so caring and empathetic at this sudden change myself, family and friends were now experiencing. 

I became a very difficult venous access and required the specialist invasive devices team of Kimmy and Phil to cannulate me prior to an MRI. They were brilliant, fast, efficient, kind, caring and expert in their area, exactly what my anxiety of being extremely claustrophobic required!

After inserting my cannula and recognising the initial anti-anxiety medication was not going to be effective for me successfully completing the MRI, they liaised with nursing and medical staff in imaging to ensure I was adequately sedated. For this, I remain incredibly grateful!

In the afternoon, I, unfortunately, received bad news of tumours of the brain and that I would need to transfer to a specialist hospital for surgery and other management. It is at this point the 6B nursing staff made me cry with their empathy, kindness and initiative.

My afternoon nurse saw my partner leave the room in tears so came to see me. I told her the test result and she just said, I will talk to my coordinator and try to get you privacy (i was in a 2patient room at the time). Within an hour, I was moved to a single room and the nursing staff had arranged a kick-out-chair for my partner and completed required authorisations should they wish to stay with me. It gave us the opportunity to lay semi side by side holding hands, crying and processing this new hard-hitting information.

My nurse for the afternoon and night, Trudie, anticipated my every possible need so I did not have to request anything. I felt very safe and supported despite the still resolving brain bleed, my current symptoms and this new diagnostic information.

While I did have to wait for a bed for a number of days, I learnt a great deal about myself while working hard to rehabilitate my stroke deficit. In this respect, the allied health team and the encouragement from the nursing staff were invaluable.

I would recommend this ward and the staff attached to it to anyone.

Again, thank you does not seem enough.

You can read other parts of my journey here: The unexpected journey continues Fiona Stanley rehab