Knowledge is power

By Marcus Burgess 

I was a very fit 47-year-old guy when I had my stroke in August 2020. I competed in Muay Thai, was a personal trainer and worked in security. Being fit was my passion and my career.  

The day I had my stroke, was just like any other day. I was getting into my car after a training session, and suddenly felt really off.  

I had been dealing with a slight injury in my neck, so had been experiencing some numbness in my jaw, but this time it felt different. 

My mobile slipped out of my hand and I could not pick it up. I felt numbness down my left side and couldn't move my mouth properly. 

I have been to several first aid courses and had learned F.A.S.T. signs of stroke acronym. I realised very quickly that I was having one. 

I knew I needed to get out of the car park and back to the gym to get help. Somehow, I managed even though I was not too steady and the fear was building.  

An ambulance was called immediately, but by the time the paramedics arrived my symptoms had mostly disappeared.  

At the Gold Coast Hospital they ran an MRI, and found that I had had a frontal lobe stroke due to a blood clot that had come from a 12-15 mm hole in my heart. I had a PFO closure the day. 

I was in hospital for several days, and apart from the initial facial numbness and loss of strength in my left hand, I have not had extensive physical impacts. 

My emotions however are a different story. For most of my adult life, I have competed in physically demanding sports - martial arts, running and obstacle course racing. I know I am mentally tough, but stroke, it changes you.  

Stroke, it tests you every day, just when I feel like I have gotten a handle on things, it can take another little piece of you or throw up an unwanted challenge. But I am fortunate, I know the reason for my stroke. I recognise many younger survivors of stroke do not. 

I can see the impact my stroke had on my family too. My then 3-year-old son saw me taken away in the ambulance and due to COVID-19 restrictions could not see me while I was in hospital. A year later I can still see he is alert to people's health. He often asks me about my heart, and if he sees an ambulance, it can set him off - it breaks me.  

I am back at work now, and supporting clients to reach their fitness goals. Around 29 strokes a day happen to younger people, and this is what I keep telling my fitness clients. No matter what level of fitness that you are, whatever exercise you do, it is better than no exercise.  

You need to keep on top of your health, know your blood pressure and cholesterol, eat right, and move. I believe my fitness has helped me in my recovery too. 

My clients, they know that I have had a stroke, and I want them to tell others. I have read the quote – a stroke can happen to anyone, at anytime and anywhere. It is easy to not apply this to yourself, but no one has a crystal ball.  

Because I knew the signs of a stroke, I was able to save my own life. I can be the father and husband that I want to be. I can get back to my work and my passions. I want that for other people too.