The New year by Nick Martin

This blog number three of a four part series, click here for part one and two.

The New Year (2016) arrived whilst I was asleep.

Over the weeks that followed, rehab took centre stage. I spent my time on the exercise bike at home, and walking up and down our steep driveway, which I found a huge challenge. When not exercising I was fighting with Centrelink, who knew how difficult it would be for a disabled man to get the Disability Support Pension.

I was still very tired.

During yet another visit to St Vincent’s I had a routine check-up and MRI scan. I talked with a physio and a social worker. I was still having problems with my sight, and the social worker suggested that she could speak with Guide Dogs Victoria on my behalf. This really threw me, even though I was having trouble seeing, the thought that I needed canine assistance was a bit too much for me.

A few weeks later a support worker from Guide Dogs Victoria came to visit me and provided me with instructions on how to use scan vision to help improve my eyesight. We also went through some reading techniques and discussed some strategies that I could use to help me become more confident in the kitchen.  No dog, but some great advice!

That night I managed to cook the first meal on my own since I had suffered my strokes. I made spaghetti bolognaise and had a couple of glasses of red. This may seem like a small win, but I’ve found stroke recovery is a string of small wins. I have learned how important it is to recognise and celebrate them.

On weekends Yvonne would take me to the golf driving range and help me by spotting the ball. Soon I was able to see the ball better with the help of scanning vision techniques that I had learned, and Yvonne’s prompts.

I had three goals at the time, return to golf, return to driving and return to work.

I started with a cheeky nine holes at my local course, the Belvoir Park Golf Club. It was a bloody great day, with good mates and a couple of beers, and I did alright (for the new me) on the course.

Next came a visit to St Vincent’s for an eye test to see if I could get my driver’s licence back. Unfortunately, it was a not to be. I was not surprised - just disappointed.

Then came the day for me to visit my workplace and arrange a date to get back to work. We agreed on the end of March, after I got the all clear from the neurologist. We worked out a suitable return to work plan we were all happy with. I was very lucky, and grateful for the support I received.

Yvonne came with me to my next neurologist appointment, and again life threw a curve ball at us. After the neurologist was finished with me, he took a long look at Yvonne and asked her all kinds of questions. He sent her to see her GP to organise an MRI scan and some blood tests.

I can’t begin to tell you how worried I was. I could handle my strokes, but I wasn’t sure I could handle whatever was going on with Yvonne.

A 4cm tumour was discovered on Yvonne’s pituitary gland, and when the blood tests came back she was diagnosed with Acromegalia and referred to Dr Ian Wang at St Vincent’s private. Thankfully, in April Yvonne had non-invasive surgery and the tumour was successfully removed. 

That scare gave me a bit of insight into how it must be for Yvonne dealing with my strokes.