The trauma of stroke has proved to be one of my biggest teachers

By Eddie

Sunday 21st June 2020 was a day like any other Sunday.

My daughter, Hannah, and I had been out and had returned with some purchases from Bunnings.

I was repairing a broken clothes airer in our lounge room and as I stood up, I felt strangely lightheaded but thought nothing of it. I figured it was low blood pressure, so I ignored it and took out the rubbish.

As I walked back toward the house, I felt lightheaded again, but as I walked up the steps my left arm flopped down to my side.

I knew that feeling wasn't right, so I hurried towards the back door. I tripped as my legs collapsed underneath me.

My wife, Caroline, was home, and recognised that I was having a stroke. She had recently covered the F.A.S.T. signs in a first aid training course.

She called 000 and looked after me, keeping me calm and comfortable while the operator spoke to her, monitoring and guiding what she needed to do.

The ambulance arrived about 5 minutes after being dispatched from Kingston. The paramedics quickly assessed me before moving me into the ambulance, rushing me to the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH).

Somehow, I was able to walk with help from the paramedics. There were 13 stairs from our front door to the ambulance. I counted them all to keep my brain ticking over.

I was in ICU for five days and was then moved to the RHH stroke ward for two more days before being moved to the acute rehabilitation unit (ARU).

It took me three long months to get on my feet again, walking with an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for footdrop and a walking aid.

Looking back, I realised that I had had a mini stroke (TIA) 4 weeks before my stroke while I was working from home. I was on my computer, and I stopped typing to look at something on my phone. As I went to start typing again, I couldn’t move my arm properly and couldn’t remember how to type. I tried to call Caroline but couldn’t speak. This weird sensation probably lasted around 10-20 seconds and was gone again with no lasting effects – until the big one.

I mentioned this to my doctors and was told that a TIA can be a warning of a bigger stroke to come. I wish I had known and listened to my body.

The stroke really knocked the stuffing out of me. My mobility was very affected, but in the last three years and have made a lot of gains. I don't use walking aids anymore, I still have footdrop, but I am constantly working on improving my gait.

I started back at work in my prior role again in 2021, which helped me to build my confidence. I was in a bit of an emotional hole. The grief takes over, but having work gave me more of the social connection that I had been craving. The organisation I worked for at the time were excellent and provided a very inclusive environment.

The next big milestone for me was to drive again. I got my license back and have a modified car with a spinner knob to help me to steer.

Then an opportunity came up for a role in a different company. I was hesitant to apply, I was a 51-year-old man with a physical disability. But I decided that I was the master of my own destiny and if I wanted something different then I should go for it. This may seem like a normal thing to many people, but getting your power back after stroke can be a bloody big thing.

I got the role. I have been in it for nearly 12-months, it's challenging and bloody rewarding.

On June 21st it will be three years since my stroke. To recognise how far I have come and celebrate my survival, I plan to walk to the top of Mount Wellington by the end of the year. I am in training and taking mini walks to build up my conditioning.

The trauma of stroke has proved to be one of my biggest teachers. I have learned more about myself and the strength of my family through his experience.

But, if there were only two things to take away from my story, they would be:

1. If you have any warning signs, no matter how short they last or how insignificant you think they are, find a GP you are comfortable with and get yourself checked out. It may prevent something much worse from occurring.
2. At the time of my stroke, I was in an excellent state of health and fitness. While I could spend hours questioning why I had a stroke while in such good shape, it is better to look at how being in good shape has greatly improved my rate of recovery and will continue to do so moving forward. So, get out there and be active every day. Eat well and don’t take your health for granted.