Stroke is like a merry go round that you cannot get off

By Bec Maitland

I was about to go on a holiday to Europe the day I had my stroke. I was a paramedic at the time and having some ‘me’ time was high on my list.  

With bags packed, I was ready to go - the taxi called and itching for an adventure. But I didn't get into a taxi, I was put into an ambulance and taken to Monash Hospital’s Stroke Unit instead. 

Photo: Bec holding a baby she had just delivered, 48 hours prior to her stroke

It was a sunny day, I was in my bedroom leaning over my luggage when I blacked out. I woke up sometime later with Nala, my Border Collie, licking my face. Her kisses are the only reason I woke up. I was home alone, so she was the only one there to help. 

Fully paralysed, I used Siri to activate my phone and call triple zero 000. It still amazes me that technology and my pup are the reasons that I am here today. 

At the hospital it was dire. My family was told to say goodbye, and it took several weeks before I was through the worst and there was more than just hope for my survival.  

I was left with PTSD, and a list of physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. In the beginning, the worst part was the brain fog. Every night dreaming of the old me, and each morning the realisation of this new me - which took a long time to embrace. 

I couldn't even think bloody straight - like a macabre Groundhog Day. 

I understood that acceptance is an important part of rehab, but how? How do you accept this new broken you?  

As I have discovered, it takes a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of repetition and a lot of help. Complicating matters, your recovery is like no one else's - stroke is not a one size fits all affair. 

For me, it was one very small step at a time, and even with small steps it was often one step forward and two steps back. My support crew helped me to diarise my progress, so that I could look at it and see my breakthroughs, no matter how small.  

I had videos, photos of what I was doing and every day a friendly face at the side of my bed. I owe my support crew a huge debt of gratitude. Diarising my journey post-stroke has been the secret sauce in my recovery.  

Thank you to the army of unconditional helpers, supporters, and angels who have supported me, you are my support crew, and I love you.  

Thank you to the non-professional counselors who have picked me up when I wanted to stay down, cried alongside me, rallied around when I was at breaking point, and listened to my heartache over and over again. 

Thank you for organising, and participating in, Stride4Stroke, which raised enormous awareness and money for a great cause. I THANK YOU 🙏🏻  

But to the hero of this story - Nala, my tough, sensitive, beautiful lioness paw-princess pooch. Thank you!  

I would be dead without you, and that is the frightening truth. Thank you for saving my life. Mummy loves you so much. 🐾🐶 

Photo: Bec and her dogs. Nala is the gold Border Collie

Want to join Bec and her bro Daniel for a their Stride4Stroke event, Nov 6, Peter Scullin Reserve (Melbourne). Find out more here.