Thank you to my husband my rock and the love of my life

By Sarah

Life can have a strange way of throwing unexpected challenges your way, and this year has been a testament to that for me. At just 30 years old, fit, healthy and in the process of planning my wedding, I had a stroke.

It was in January, I was at a cafe with Shan, my partner and as I came back from bathroom, I suddenly felt really odd. I couldn't move one of my arms when I spoke, it was complete gibberish.

It was terrifying. Shan noticed that as well as my speech, I had a vacant stare like I was unable to focus. He knew immediately that I was having a stroke and knew that the nearest hospital was less than five minutes away.

During the short drive he was on speaker with his mother, a nurse, who confirmed his fears. I was showing signs of a stroke. Even with all this happening I was in two minds about what was happening. Am I overreacting or am I sick? But I could see the serious look in his eyes, and I am forever grateful that he acted quickly and calmly.

I had a round of tests, but the CT scan didn't show a stroke. I was told it might have been an aura migraine and sent home whilst more tests were done. After a week I was given an MRI which showed that it was indeed a stroke. After a month of further testing, the cause of my stroke was found – I had a small hole in my heart.

In the first few months, I was constantly fatigued. I had only enough energy to get to lunchtime and then I would sleep. I did not feel like myself, I would cry uncontrollably, I couldn't exercise, socialise, shop, or focus on a conversation.

I would experience waves of anxiety and would keep replaying the stroke over and over in my mind - it's completely discombobulating to be fine one-minute and seconds later, not. I would have times where I thought I couldn't feel my hand - and I would stick my fingernails so deeply into it that I would bleed and bruise. I just needed to know that I could still feel, and I wasn't having another stroke.

We were also planning for our wedding. I recognised that it was something that I was not going to be able to do. But Shan took on all the responsibilities of planning the day while looking after me.

He put his trauma and fears aside and focused solely on helping me to recover. I cannot find the words to really express how much this meant to me. Partner and husband are words I use to describe Shan, but that doesn't go deep enough. He is so deeply in my heart and soul, and I am so, so deeply grateful that we found each other.

Along with the support of Shan, I wouldn’t of been able to heal and recovery without the support of my sister De’anne and my mum and dad - Greg and Kerry. I’ll forever be in debt to my beautiful family.

A few months on, my recovery has been a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges. There are times when I feel overwhelmed and unsure if I will falter, but my husband was always there, holding my hand, wiping away my tears, and encouraging me to keep pushing forward.

To follow Sarah and Shan on Instagram.