Angie Hensley
This is my story - I'm Angie Hensley from Brighton, single mum of 3, I am 42
This is day 10 after my stroke, the date is 2.1.2005 my sons birthday.
My stroke happened on the 23rd of December 3 days after my birthday, we were just getting in the car to deliver Christmas presents in Swindon. l dropped my bag getting into the car then again when it was passed to me. My boyfriend noticed something was wrong and drove me to my Dr's where they called an ambulance.
l can remember feeling tired out of sorts and having no strength or patients with every one busseling around me, next thing l know I am in hospital with all my family looking at me and crying, some were going on about "awh, look at her face", the left hand side had dropped. I went for a scan on my head and thought it was very loud. Next l was grateful to be placed on a ward to relax and sleep. The next day was Christmas eve, l cried buckets because they wouldn't let me home to put the presents under the tree or the ones in their stockings, it broke my heart l couldn't go home. The following morning the kids all brought the presents to the hospital, but l couldn't remember what l got and struggled to open mine as my left arm wasn't working, it had affected my left side :-(
Then suddenly, "oh my god", l needed to spend a penny and there was only male nurses around to help, 'shock horror' l was so shy l insisted on a commode not a bedpan. I stood up, fell over smacking my head on the sink, giving myself concussion for 3 days and very bad bruised ribs. I still could not go home till l could transfer, ,they said, so that night l made myself use the commode and crawl back up my bed, saying to myself 'l will get home l will'. By day six l was walking without any help bathing and dressing myself once l mastered the stairs they let me home. On day 7, l used the washing machine then the kettle and made a sandwich, it felt amazing to be of help at home. Now its day 8, my left side is still letting me down, but I am looking after my kids while they watch over me and I am never going in hospital again. All l want now is to get Christmas back and cook a proper Christmas dinner, it feels funny when l smile, like half my face pulls tight, but l am still trying to smile straight.
Thanks to Angie for sending in her profile. Anyone else who would like to share their story can send it along with a photograph (if you're not shy!)
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