Hello everyone
I am Sarah new to this group, I am a the parent of Emily (27) who was on a holiday of a lifetime with her boyfriend, on Wednesday morning after a night out she was talking to her boyfriend and then just slumped over, he went to get help from the hostel manager who came to look at my daughter and unfortunately gave her boyfriend the wrong advice which was to sleep it off, we think this was the first sign of a stroke, after sleeping for a while she got up to go to the toilet and had lost the use of her right side and was unable to speak, her boyfriend called for an ambulance they went to the local hospital and then was shipped off to a larger hospital 3 hours away, once there she had an MRI and they confirmed a stroke, this has been a big shock for our whole family made worse because she is 15 hours away, my husband left yesterday morning and is with her now in Chiang Mia, he says she is in high spirits but her right side is paralysed and she can’t speak at all he is communicating by her blinking, we are so worried about her she was so fit and healthy before this, we are waiting for the results of a blood test to see what caused it, any help and advice anyone has would be greatly appreciated at this very difficult time, thank you
Welcome to this community @Toystory2025. It must have been scary getting that news, especially being so far apart at the time but good news that your husband was able to get to her quickly. She’ll be very happy to have her dad there, I’m sure!
There are a number of younger stroke warriors here who will no doubt be along soon to give their input. In the mean time, be reassured that your daughter is in the best place right now. She has youth and previously good health on her side, with family and a boyfriend to help her through. She has every reason to fight for her recovery and to do well. You’ll feel much happier once she’s safely back home. Hope that happens soon.
Take care for now and keep us updated when you can.
Trace
Oh Sarah, how worrying for you all. So good that her Dad can be there with her. I hope she makes good progress and you find out what caused her Stroke.
@Toystory2025 Sarah, I’m just saying hello as a Mum ( though an ancient one now.)
I can’t imagine how dreadful it must have been to get the news about Emily. What a relief to know her father is with her.
She is young and fit, which will stand her in good stead and things will improve little by little.
On a practical note make sure you keep in contact with her holiday insurance company and keep them updated on the medical advice being given.
Try and take one day at a time, your mind will be rushing ahead which does you no favours. If you can stick to dealing with the here and now it will help. Having said that I do not underestimate how impossibly difficult that will be some days.
I will be thinking of you all and hope she is soon stable enough to travel.
Wendy
@Trace57 thank you for your replygetting these responses does put my mind at rest, and I do find that forums are an excellent place to get help and advice
@Trisha2 yes thank you we are waiting for blood test results they take so blimin long 
Thank you for your kind words, it is hard for the family who are not with her, because my husband is with her he feels more reassured than I do, we just get a few photos/ facetime occasionally but we have to stop because she gets tired, insurance has been great and have said they can cover repatriation - phew.
Hi. I’m a young stroke survivor (33, stroke in my brainstem).
Youth and fitness will definitely help her. Stroke doesn’t discriminate but she’s starting in a better position than someone much older or out of shape etc.
Blood tests will probably show nothing sadly. Realistically they will give her blood thinners and send her on her way home for further investigation and physio/rehab.
It’ll be the best place for her anyway once safe/able to travel.
Wishing you all the best. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask
@Toystory2025 - welcome to this community at a difficult time.
From what you have said, the situation is stable and things look positive - your daughter is communicating by blinking which is excellent and she is with her Dad and boyfriend which will be comforting and reassuring for her.
Importantly, the insurance company is being helpful and so that should help get Emily back home and into rehab for a good recovery.
Wishing you and your family all the very best.
Namaste|
Just had the bad news we didnt want, the brain damage is irreversible, the doctor thinks at best she will only be able to walk a few steps with a walker, she will only manage short sentences in time, where do we go from here ? what preparations do we need to make for her return ?? thanks
Sarah ,if you have the inclination, read some of the stories on here.
Speaking as a lay person, it is far too soon for anyone to make such a pronouncement.
Intensive rehab and the determination to improve may prove the experts wrong. Read about neuroplasticity, and how there is research to show improvement continues long after the first few months.
We are all different, always remember statistics don’t show how an individual will get on only the general trends.
Please don’t lose hope. I’ll say that again, please never lose hope, start with tiny goals.
You can be amazed by progress, tiny signs of progress are like beacons lighting the way to better things
Thinking of you Wendy
Thank you Wendy I have tears in my eyes reading this xx
Because I am new to this site I am struggling navigating it where do you suggest I look for relevant posts ?
Oh heck, I’m hopeless at looking for things too.
@Anna_Moderator can you help?? or @EmeraldEyes @Mrs5K .
Maybe start researching neuro occupational therapists, physios. Stroke Association has a help line. Call: 0303 3033 100*
Email: helpline@stroke.org.uk
I’m sorry to say, but be prepared to fight for the help Emily will need.
Don’t panic. There are many people, including those on this forum, who made and are making amazing progress long into their stroke recovery.
She is young, that will genuinely help her so much. Life may never be the same again but with determination and physio she can regain a lot of her old self back.
Also regarding using the forum, if you hit the little magnifying glass icon at the top right of your screen you can then search for things you might find helpful
This might be a good link for you to have a read through, regarding recovery:
I am also new to the world of strokes, as my 50 year old husband had a major stroke in early January. Like you I thought all was lost as he was unable to follow simple instructions and couldn’t speak (or move his right side). Honestly as the others have said everyone’s story is different, but I have been truly amazed at what the brain can do.
Factly your doctor is correct in that the actual damage to her brain is irreversible, everyone’s is after a stroke as brain cells don’t regenerate. However he has no way of knowing what recovery is possible for her at this stage. Recovery comes first from the brain swelling recovering (which she will still have at this very early stage) and then from neuro-plasticity, which as everyone says is massively in the favour of younger victims as its the brain forming new connections.
Focus on getting Emily back to the UK, keeping her spirits up and getting her the best rehab you can in the UK - do you know where she will be sent when she arrives into UK ?
Different Stroke is a charity that has lots of information about younger stroke victims. I also found calling the Stroke Association helpline and just chatting to someone who knew about strokes and was so very supportive very helpful in the early days.
I am very surprised to read this because my husband has been in hospital for 3 months following a haemorrhagic stroke.
Not once has any member of staff ever said what he is likely or unlikely to achieve. I have also been through his notes and there is nothing in there about what the future might hold!
I wouldn’t pay too much attention to what they have said. Maybe it all got muddled in translation.
I should think she will be returned to her nearest hospital to where she lives and then a Stroke Rehab Unit. Thank goodness she has a good insurer.
If it’s any comfort there have been about six people in our village who have had strokes in the last year and they are all doing really well. They are all the clot type of stroke.
Keep strong and positive!
Recovery is possibly.
I am sure your daughter is a fighter and so much can clawed back from this evil condition!
My husband is 16 months in from paralysis on his right side and the loss of speech. We make progress every day in some aspect but it does take time. X
@Toystory2025 - In addition to all the very good advice you have already received, I would agree with the above from @HitchinWife.
A major positive I note from your post is your daughter is communicating using her eyes - this is actually very important as it allows you to keep her updated on what is going on and keep her involved. Let her know what is going on and what is being done.
In all likelihood, she is very aware of everything and understanding everything, but for now she is unable to vocalise or communicate other than using her eyes. One of our contributors on this forum Lorraine, @EmeraldEyes mentioned that after her stroke she was totally aware of everything going on around her but unable to communicate.
What you have been told may have been lost in translation or it may simply be an opinion - sometimes medical professionals don’t like to “raise your hopes”.
Keep your daughter involved at all times and she will help you to help her. When making decisions on her behalf, talk to her, explain what you are doing and see if she agrees - this is important 
At the same time, be aware that stroke has an effect of draining energy and Emily may need time to rest and recharge, so do allow her that as well.
Namaste|
@Toystory2025 just popping by to say hi & welcome to the community. So dorry to hear of your daughters stroke & at such a young age too. It must be very worrying for you especially as you can’t be there. Glad her Dad has been able to travel out to be with her.
I read your comment about her brain damage being irreversible. Technically that is right but the brain is a remarkable thing and it will start to rebuild new pathways. I would suggest it is far too early to know how muxh progress she will make. The one thing we all know is if you’re prepared to work at it then progress can be made. I should imagine the language barrier is adding to an already stressful situation.
I have added a couple of links to previous threads where people have had strokes overseas. Have a read through these. They are from a different countrybut some of the things you’ll need will be similar.
I.would also suggest touching base with a GP to seek their advice on what you need to do for her return. I imagine the insurance will transfer her straight to hospital and then things will progress from there. I ahould imagine now you just want her home but she will need to be fit to travel first.
If you want to have a read of other stories you can click on the three lines (on my phone it is top right on another device it could be elsewhere), then select topics. You should then get a list of topics to scroll through or you will be able to select, unread, latest or new.
You can also search on key words. To do that select the 
and enter a word and select search.
Best wishes
Ann