I believe that stress caused my stroke

By Brooke, 

I own gyms. I’ve always been fit, strong, and busy - the kind of person who doesn’t stop. 

In January, I was completely fine. Healthy. Busy. But I’d had a really stressful week. I remember thinking - something is going to give. 

But you don’t think it’s going to be a stroke; maybe you’ll get sick or burn out.  

I got home from work, had a shower, sat on my bed to do some emails… and when I tried to stand up, I couldn’t. 

My body just didn’t respond. 

I ended up falling asleep. When I woke up, I had pins and needles, and my legs felt strange - floppy. It honestly looked like something was really wrong, but at the same time, I didn’t take it seriously. 

I still went to my hairdresser appointment, I caught up with friends, and we were literally laughing about my “dead leg.” 

By Friday night, one of my friends got worried and said we should go to Emergency. 

We got there and it was full - so we left. 

The next day was my son’s birthday. Life kept going, so I ignored my symptoms. 

Sunday, I went to the gym and saw Ryan, a PT who had a stroke a few years ago. He took one look at me and said, “I wouldn’t muck around - get to the hospital.” I only found out later that I had some of the same symptoms that he had.  

Still, my first thought was… how embarrassing if it’s nothing? I felt like a hypochondriac. 

But I went. 

And that decision changed everything. 

At the hospital, they were great. Because of the numbness, they were initially looking at things like MS. Then they told me it was a stroke. 

I immediately thought my stroke must have been triggered by stress, and even though I don’t have that as the cause – in my bones, I know this is why.  

I was in the hospital for about five or six days. I couldn’t write. My head felt heavy. My body wasn’t doing what I told it to. 

And then there was the loss of independence; I couldn’t drive for six weeks. I have three kids - 8, 11 and 14. I run three businesses. Suddenly, I was relying on other people to get me around, to help with everything. That was one of the hardest parts. I remember thinking - if you had to go through this alone, it would be so isolating. 

Recovery has been a process. I still have foot drop; I walk with a limp - but it’s getting better. 

I do physio. I go to the gym. I take it day by day. 

That’s all you can do. 

What Stays with Me 

Looking back, I honestly don’t think I would have gone to hospital if it wasn’t for Ryan. 

In that moment, having someone say, “this isn’t right,” made all the difference - because I couldn’t see it myself. 

Thank you for saving my life, Ryan. I owe you one!