I thought I’d introduce myself and share a little of my story.
I had my haemorrhagic stroke on April 26th this year (yep… only 3½ months ago!) while running a 5km Park Run, no less. I was with a friend and her husband, and before I knew it, I was rushed to ICU and placed in a coma. My partner was told not to expect much… that I might not even make it.
But 2 or 3 days later, I woke up, unable to speak and unable to move my right arm and leg.
I won’t go into all the gory details (you all know them only too well), but it’s been a whirlwind 3½ months full of progress. I’ve gradually regained my speech (though aphasia still tags along for the ride) and my mobility. I’m now walking unaided, even up and down stairs, and go for a 1.1 km walk every day with my partner and our dog.
Right now I’m doing physio five times a week and speech therapy once a week, though I’m thinking about shifting my focus a little more towards speech.
My next goal, driving!
I know I’ve been luckier than many, and I’m so grateful. I just wanted to share my story — and hopefully pass on a little of that luck to anyone who needs it.
Hi Kylie
Like you I (and a lot of lucky others) survived and like you am trying to work out the best way to go. My stroke was in March was also in coma for 2 days. Unable to walk or eat am coming to terms with my situation I commend you on your walk every day as that distance every day would give me a wobbly leg. Keep going and all the best
Russ
@kylie26april thank you for sharing your story. It will inspire & give hope to many. It must have been very difficult for your family to hear you may not make it but you have and it sounds like you have come a long way in a short space of time. I’m sure it has been hard work & taken a lot of determination on your part.
I have no doubt you will achieve your driving goal.
Keep us updated with how you’re dojng. We all love to celebrate others achievements.
Hi Kylie, you’ve made a remarkable recovery and I’m sure many readers will find this inspirational, thank you for sharing. I’m sure you will reach your goal
to drive again.
Keep On Keeping On, I’m sure there’s nothing stopping you now.
Good luck with your speach therapy.
Onwards and upwards
Hello fellow parkrunner! It must have been really scary for your family, and the parkrun core team who I’m sure sprang in to action. It sounds like you’re making a great recovery.
I too had a haemorrhagic stroke (January 2024) and remember sobbing on both Saturdays I was in hospital because I was missing my beloved parkrun. It’s been a huge part of my recovery journey and now I a, back regularly parkrunning. I hope you make it back there soon
Your experiences help us understand the diversity and different rates or recovery, different levels of recovery and challenges faced by survivors who on the face of it might look to be exactly the same.
It helps demonstrate we might be in the same boat, we are not alone and we all progress at our own rates and the rates at which our own bodies and personal circumstances allow.
I went to watch parkrun at first so I could still see friends etc. I returned to walking parkrun after 3 months. I was told I could run again after 6 months. I did a mix of walking and volunteering and then after a year felt ready to run/walk again. I’ve just taken it really slowly and gone at my own pace with a nice mix of volunteering so I can still feel involved. Good Luck with your return and let me know how you get on.
Oh yes it could be possible. Add it to your goals along with driving. You’ll know when you feel like it is something you could try again. Start slowly & build up. I like how @Bigmugoftea eased back into it.
Wow @kylie26april you are amazing and seem to have the best support around you.
Your story is truly uplifting and you are proof that mountains can be moved.
Reading your story has uplift me for the day.
I do a very demanding job, so your words are encouragement
I wish you all the best for a fntastic recovery and good luck with achieving driving aggain.
I hav still to challenge that one.
I was fortunate I was left with no stroke mobility issues, mine came later, when my back seized and both my knees have gone. My Chiropractor fixed my back and is now working on my knees. It has taken months.
Just continue at your own pace and do not try to overdo it. Plenty of water and rest and after 20 months my speech and energy levels are still challenging. I was lucky and the doctor passed me fit to drive after about 5 months. A bit nervy at first but driving offers so much more freedom. You sound very positive. Bob3
