Dear LPG

I was talking recently to someone and, for some strange reason we got onto the subject of the stroke advert that gets put out on television every now and then.  It is quite alarming and worrying to watch and leaves a really clear message that the quickness of anyone who witnesses someone having a stroke will influence the extent of that person’s recovery.

The chat reminded me of my experience though, which was quite different.  It happened to me about 12 years ago and I didn’t even know.  

I had just retired but opted to continue working part-time.  I live alone and I went to sleep one evening.  I will admit to having had what I would call a funny turn, but it did not last long, and I awoke the next morning completely unaware that anything was wrong.  I got up and dressed and went off to work and it was then that the alarm bells started to ring. 

I have to admit to feeling a little weaker than normal that morning, but I accepted that this happens from time to time.  My morning routine included a shave which meant that I was looking at my reflection for some time but I noticed no real change.  Luckily, I was working that day and set out as usual, and it was not until the morning tea break that one of my colleagues mentioned that I looked different and another told me that I was talking a bit differently too. I asked in what way but the answer was I just did not look so well although the people who told me this could not be more specific than that.  

A couple of other people told me the same thing later that morning which was when it occurred to me that perhaps I needed to see a doctor and when I got there it was confirmed;  I had suffered a stroke some time during the night. 

When I first was told officially that this had happened to me it did not really make a lot of difference but now, years later, I’m very aware of the gradual effect that it has had on my health and my life.

I know that it happens as one gets older for many reasons but I am now unable to do so many things that I took for granted not that long ago; lifting items that I had no problem lifting in the past, things taking longer to do, and my extreme adversity to the cold in spite of the fact that I worked in a job that kept me outside in all weathers without any problem for years. I suppose I will never know if this is just my getting older, but I cannot help but believe that my stroke is also a contributing factor, and I will always wonder if getting medical help earlier would have made a difference.

So, it occurs to me that as the advert says, ‘FAST’ is the watchword, but if more than one person you encounter mentions that you don’t quite look yourself take it on board and find the nearest A&E.

CP, Brockley

LPG has found the advertisement that CP was talking about and also an account of a stroke victim in the USA.

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