The stories of stroke survivors are what drives our fight at the World Stroke Organization to achieve our goal of a world free from stroke. Welcome to our stroke survivor stories series, which we'll pop up on the blog every Thursday, you may wish to contribute to this poignant narrative of stroke globally. Please contact Sarah.Belson@stroke.org.uk
Ten years back, when I
was forty-two, I flew to Dubai to be employed as a domestic helper. When I was on the verge of
fifty, I had ill health, so I flew back to Sri Lanka in
late September 2016. The following day, suddenly, I
fell down in my room. I noticed that I could not talk and move my right arm and
right leg.
Could
you access hospital?
I was helpless because
nobody was at home. I started dragging myself along the floor
slowly and was able to come to the verandah. There I saw a neighbour, so I waved my left hand which was movable. Luckily,
she saw me and ran to me quickly. Then with the help of my neighbours, I was
admitted to a local hospital and was found to be anaemic and was transfused
with two pints of blood. On the same day, I was transferred to the National
Hospital in Colombo for a CT scan of my brain. I was
diagnosed as having a stroke and was transferred to the stroke unit of the
National Hospital.
What
expectations did you have for your treatment, rehabilitation, therapy and recovery?
By the time I was
admitted to the stroke unit, I was unable to talk, walk and swallow. But my
vision, hearing and bodily functions were not affected. I feared I would be bed-ridden and I felt that my life was not worth living disabled. I started losing my courage, strength and
hopes.
What
was your experience of treatment and/or rehabilitation and therapy?
The next day, I
heard a gentle female voice from my bedside. She was the Doctor-in-charge of
the stroke unit. She took plenty of time to explain my condition to me and
my family and she advised me to engage in physiotherapy, occupational therapy and
speech therapy daily. She also explained the importance of not losing courage. I just listened to her with tears in my
eyes. I could not do anything else as I could not utter a word.
What
has helped you in your recovery?
Slowly, day by day, I
started improving with medications and the rehabilitation programme. At the end of
the first week, I was able to talk, sit up in the bed, walk with support and
swallow semi solids. My hopes started blossoming. Everyday, I had to
undergo well planned schedules of physiotherapy and occupational therapy. The
counsellor was a kind lady who met me frequently. The social worker helped me
to get the financial support that was granted by the government. After staying one month
in the stroke unit, I was completely recovered without any residual deficits
which I did not expect at all at the outset.
How
did your family and friends feel and respond?
Although members of my
family were shocked and disappointed, they gave me the maximum care and support
that was vital at that moment.
