Hi Everyone
My Mum had a mini-stroke whilst on holiday in Japan. No further signs of bleeding or permanent damage. She is still in hospital in Japan (I believe she is being discharged tomorrow (Weds). ) My Dad is with her and is a (retired) Dr. She will be fit to fly home earliest 5th June. Is there anything I can do to support her whilst she’s in Japan and what can I do to support her when she arrives home? Feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all!
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While she is in Japan all you can do is research. Once she is home your father will probably be her principle carer and will need your support. This could just be sitting with your mother to allow him to go out; cooking a meal; helping with housework. come back if you have more questions when you have more information on your mother’s condition
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Hello @HollyCK - Welcome to the community.
Sorry to hear about your Mum’s stroke, but good to know things look stable and importantly your Dad is with her to reassure and support her.
Without knowing the exact care needs of your Mum and her care plan once she is home it is difficult to say how you can help. Unless your Dad has asked for help and would like you to do something remotely, perhaps as @Janetb says, you can do research and find out the sort of care your Mum will need and how it might be provided. Will there be a need to make any sort of home improvements to help her?
I guess once you have specific questions we may be better placed to help out. Right now, the best thing to do is accept that Mum has had a stroke and look forward and think how you might be able to support her and your Dad.
All strokes are pretty unpleasant, but I suppose you might think that a mini-stroke is the “least unpleasant” version as hopefully the damage it will have done will be easier to manage and repair.
The health professionals who assess her and treat her will be able to better explain what has happened and what sort of post-care rehab and ongoing support might be needed.
Wishing you, your Mum and your Dad all the best.
Namaste|
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@HollyCK Hi & welcome to the community. Sorry to hear of your mum’s stroke. Made even harder for you as she is in another country.
There probably isn’t too much you can do at this stage. You might be able to male contact with her GP & see if they can do a referral to the stroke team so she can ge followed uo once she is back in the UK.
It really will depend on how the stroke has affected her. She is likely to get some fatigue & may need help to do some things when she does. You could contact the Stroke Association helpline 0303 3033 100 to get their advice on things you can do to make her return as smooth as possible.
I hope her return goes smoothly & I am.sure you will feel better once she is back in the UK.
Best wishes
Ann x
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Hello Holly,
I just remembered we had a similar incident a few months ago with a loved one having a stroke overseas and family having to sort things out. There was a lot of information shared and I wonder if you might benefit and learn from reading the experiences recorded therein.
Here is the link to the post.
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His @HollyCK and welcome. The best piece of advice I can give you just now is read and understand what stroke is about. And know that no one truly knows better than a stroke survivor themselves. The best place to do that is on here, or anywhere there are stroke survivors, where it’s told from real life, lived experience. You will learn about fatigue, brain fog, balance/vertigo issue, cognitive impairment, short term memory issues, decompensation, and so much more, because no two stroke are alike.
Don’t expect, don’t assume anything, allow her plenty of time to first find and compile her words before she even speaks.
Most important of all, be very patient.
Lorraine