My FAST hero is my daughter Rosa
I was a young fit 50-year-old woman when I had a stroke in November 2018. As a single Mum I was juggling family and a job with a lot of responsibility, but as a family we were all active and ate well – mostly.
It was the morning and I was at the beautician when I began to feel funny. When I lay down, I felt like I had fallen asleep but now I think it was because I had passed out. When I tried to stand up my leg felt numb, I was having trouble walking and I couldn’t focus or articulate myself very well.
I was with my 10-year-old daughter Rosa, who was looking very worried. When we got to the car, I couldn’t remember how to unlock nor start it. But somehow, I managed to drive the six minutes to our home not realising what had happened.
Rosa was getting more and more agitated, and she was saying that we needed to call an ambulance; however, I wasn’t thinking straight, and when I got home, I went into our bathroom in an effort to clear my head because her concern was making me worried.
While sitting on the side of our bathtub it suddenly dawned on me that I was having a stroke. I know that one of the signs of stroke is weakness on one side, which I had.
I emailed my boss and told him that I thought that I was having a stroke, who then called an ambulance and convinced me to go to hospital whilst organising for someone to look after my daughter, who was frantic by this time.
An hour later I was in an ambulance on my way to the local hospital. Unfortunately, although I was sure I had suffered a stroke, the doctor who assessed me did not agree, and treated me for an anxiety attack.
Over the next three days my symptoms got worse and I became slower of mind and developed issues with swallowing. I was choking even when I drank water. A girlfriend who was helping me to manage at home took me back to my local GP as she thought I had suffered a stroke too. My GP immediately sent me straight to another hospital. I was diagnosed with a TIA (mini-stroke) and then taken to Brisbane Hospital for treatment.
Once there I was diagnosed with a small hole in my heart, and I was given a patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure.
I am still frustrated that the treating doctors that initially saw me misdiagnosed my symptoms, but I am glad that I trusted my gut and got a second opinion.
I can’t thank my daughter enough for urging me to call an ambulance which I believe saved my life. I don’t know why I was so reluctant to call, it may have been the confusion from my stroke. But if I had taken myself to bed instead of getting help, I am not sure where I would be now. Rosa was brave and persistent, and mature way beyond her years.
Both my children have been magnificent and look after me with such courage and compassion. We are a trio, and nothing can break the intense bond that we have.
I have returned to work, but it is a balancing act between meeting my responsibilities and dealing with fatigue. Although I look fit and well on the outside, I struggle every day. I have a touch of aphasia, especially when tired, and I don’t think as clearly as I once did.
I read many of the F.A.S.T hero stories that were shared during Stroke Week, and I got some solace by reading them and knowing I am not alone. I am part of a community that is much bigger than myself.
Lastly, I want to remind people to trust their instincts, if you are having obvious signs of stroke, or are having a ‘funny turn’ call an ambulance immediately. Every minute that you question yourself 2 million brain cells die. It’s not worth the wait.
