Sunday 30th May 2021 a day I will never forget. I went through a terrifying experience—I had a health scare that I never saw coming. I believe by sharing my story it could help others who might find themselves in a similar situation. As I recount what happened, I hope you’ll think about your own health and the steps you’re taking to protect it. Let me take you back to the day when everything changed…"
It was a beautiful sunny morning . I had just sent a group chat to my family to suggest they all come to mine for a BBQ the time was 10.17am. I jumped in the shower and was excited about the rest of the day. As I stepped out the shower my balance was off, and I had a strange feeling in my head… my brain was trying to process what was going on. It wasn’t long before I realised that I was having a stroke.
I felt a tingling sensation in my fingers and then in my face. I was alone in the house my life honestly FLASHED before me.
The biggest fear was that I was home alone and at the time I felt like this would be how my life ended, which might sound like an overreaction but that was how I felt.
I reached for my mobile which was lying on my bed but couldn’t pick it-my fingers were numb. It took a few seconds, but I eventually managed to call 999. When I tried to speak the words were all jumbled it sounded like I was drunk.
The operator seemed to know what was happening and reassured me that she would stay on the line until I could talk with her. The time was 10.26 am…less than 10 minutes had passed!!
The tingling sensation started to pass, and I was able to enough information for an ambulance to be dispatched.
The paramedics were amazing they calmed me down, first they took my BP, they advised me that they needed to get me to the hospital straight away. My BP was in the region of 260/120. I was in serious need of medical assistance.
My daughter happened to arrive at the same time as the ambulance, she ran upstairs, and we both burst into tears.
Once at the hospital it was all systems go, I was exhausted my head was the sorest it had ever been all I wanted to do was sleep, bloods were taken and I was given a blood thinner but within the hour, I had another episode this time it was milder, I was reassured that the blood thinner was doing its work.
I had some routine tests which included bloods which were difficult to take as my body was in shock then a CT scan which was inconclusive but thanks to the persistence of the nurse, she arranged a doppler test, for those who don’t know what a doppler test is a non-invasive test that uses reflected sound waves to assess blood flow through major arteries and veins. Much the same as pregnant woman would get to monitor their babies.
The right side of my neck was checked first then the left side. I knew it was bad when the nurse told me to sit still and stay calm!!
The main artery was block by around 95% (I was a ticking time bomb) this meant I required surgery. Immediately.
I was sent for an MRI scan which is more detailed, the results showed I had a bleed on my brain and had suffered a stroke.
I had to prepare to go into surgery the next morning. A piece of plaque had become dislodge in my main artery and travelled to my brain causing a bleed.
The next day I had an operation called a carotid endarterectomy. The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels that carry oxygen and blood to the neck face and brain.
I was in surgery for 5 hours under local anesthetic, to allow the surgeon to monitor my brain function and minimise the risks for a further stroke, blood clot or heart attack, which was very scary.
I posted my story on Linked a few months later and 2 people contacted me to say I potentially saved their partners lives. one woman was away for the weekend and when she returned her husband was acting strange, she had read my story, and it triggered something, so she sought medical advice. Turned out and he had had 2 strokes. The other one was a man who said his wife had slurred speech that had passed and if he hadn’t read my story they wouldn’t have gone to the hospital.
I consider myself lucky and try to remain positive that I survived to live another day ( hopefully many more ). A few weeks after my stroke a friend of mine suffered a massive stroke, he was in hospital for 5 months. He is paralysed down one side and has been left with a condition called Aphasia which is a speech impediment. He is 10 years younger than me. He is overweight and has never exercised. I am please to now say that he is doing amazing and now shares his story through various forums. He now does exercise by swimming and has changed his lifestyle.
I wanted to give something back to the amazing staff that saved my life so I signed up to the research team at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.
Research is crucial for prevention as well as recovery.
Looking back
I had noticed minor changes in my body nothing major, I was bit lethargic and had some blurred vision which I put down to needing an eye test. This was around or just after covid so I couldn’t get a face to face with my GP but on a telephone call she advised me that I had nothing to worry about!!!
My advice now would be “Trust your gut”.
In hindsight I was lucky I don’t think anything would have prevented my stroke, but due to a relatively healthy lifestyle I minimised the impact and continue to do so.
Research shows that most people who have these episodes put them down to dizzy spells and ignore them, ultimately this is a warning sign and will eventually show itself in a more sinful way if left untreated.
Life after a stroke
I have made small adjustments -which include resting a bit more, keeping up with exercise and recognising when I need to slow down. I still get a bit lethargic towards the end of the day and on occasion slur my words but all in all life is good.
If I can give one crucial piece of advice it would be to invest in a blood pressure monitor, people with high blood pressure often have no clue they have it. It has the nickname “The Silent Killer “.
