In an instant

By Joanna

In 2016 I suffered a stroke due to two aneurysms in my brain. I was 35 years of age and 32 weeks pregnant with my daughter Melanie. In an instant the life I and my husband had planned with our baby changed forever.

It was a Saturday, I wasn’t in any pain, I had no symptoms to alert me to the stroke that was on its way. I had cleaned the house and was about to head out to do the grocery shopping. 

My husband noticed that I was having a ‘funny turn’ my eyes had crossed and I was slurring my words. He recognised that I was having a stroke and called an ambulance immediately. 

After surgery, I was placed into a coma to allow my brain to heal. I was in the coma for two months and during this time doctors delivered my baby girl via caesarean.

I effectively missed my beautiful daughter’s birth and then spent a further nine months in hospital missing those precious first few months of her life. I am so grateful to the doctors for doing what they needed to, ensuring Melanie was safe and well, but I will never get that time and those moments back. Stroke robbed them from me.

Even now simple tasks at home are a challenge. My speech is affected and it is hard for others to understand what I say. I have to use my left hand, as my right arm and hand don’t work as they used to, even doing my own hair is a challenge. I can’t eat or drink normally and I am leaning to eat ‘normal’ foods. My toddler has a bigger choice of foods than I do, but I recognise I am lucky because I can now breathe on my own.

Today, I am determined to be the best mum I can and make the best of my life after stroke. It didn’t affect my memory, I am sharp as a tack, but the physical and communication problems I face throw up challenges with my day to day living. Luckily I have a wonderful husband and family who all pull together to look after me and my daughter.

I haven’t stop dreaming, I aim to get back to study and to reach my goals. It will happen, it will just take time.