My Story - Ceri James aged 36

My name is Ceri James and I celebrated my 37th birthday on the 3rd September 2005. I am married to Phil and we have 2 children, Josh (10) and Ellie (8).I used to have 2 jobs, one was helping in the local primary school canteen, and the other was in the local hospital in the evenings as a records clerk.

It was Monday 7th March 2005 and we both had a rare day off work. Phil and I went shopping and I managed to get him to buy me some clothes. We had had a lovely afternoon. We picked the children up from school, we all had tea, put the children to bed, it was a normal day. But not for much longer.

It was time for Phil and I to go to bed about then about 23:40 I had a pain in my neck then my head, I knew I was having a stroke and I knew my speech was going as I asked Phil to phone for an ambulance. I cannot remember anything from this point although I didn't lose consciousness.

I was taken to the Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend, where I stayed for a week. During this time, Phil, my mum and my sister didn't know what was going to happen next. Six days after being admitted, a Professor from Morriston Hospital in Swansea, came and assessed me, he then arranged for me to be transferred to the Neurology Ward down in Swansea.

The following day I was transferred via ambulance to Morriston and I that is the first thing I can remember since I had the stroke 7 days previous. I lost feeling on the right side but it transferred to the left side within the first 36 hours I had lost my speech completely, and was fed via a drip. My weight dropped from 7 stone 13 to 6 stone 8. I remember having lots of tests and lots of blood done. I had 2 lumber punctures in my back as they were trying to detect why I had suffered a stroke. As time went by I was taken off the drip. Yet I could only eat mashed food (like baby food) and drink thickened juice as that is all I could tolerate. I had to learn how to swallow again.

While on this ward I had terrible dreams, the doctors said it was the muscle relaxant that I was taking, so they stopped it, and the dreams went away. During my time on the Gower Neurology Ward, the cardiologist wanted to perform an endoscopy (magic eye) but I was unable to open my mouth wide enough for the probe.

After 8 weeks on this ward I was transferred to the Clydach rehabilitation ward, I was thrilled because I knew the next move would be home. I was put on warfarin tablets and had regular blood tests to check my levels. After a few weeks I went for the endoscopy and has soon has the probe entered my chest area the doctor could see the "hole in the heart", the doctor actually said it was more like a tunnel. Apparently this had been there since birth. The cardiologist said that this "hole in the heart" would explain why I suffered with migraines for most of my life.

I wasn't feeling very well last Christmas, I went to see my local GP complaining of numbness in my arm, he said not to worry and that it is more likely stress and that I was too young to have a stroke. I stayed on the Rehabilitation ward for 11 weeks. So I got to know all the patients and nurses by their first names.

The hospital was about 30 minutes drive from my house and my husband and mum visited every day. I progressed to eating normal food and normal drinks. They couldn't stop me eating and drinking. One Saturday was especially good, it consisted of breakfast, mid morning chocolate bar, dinner, box of chocolate fingers in afternoon, another meal at 17:00, chocolate milkshake and yet another bar of chocolate at visiting time that evening. Then funnily enough I was sick in the middle of the night, all over the nurse and the wall.

I had to learn how to stand then walk with a zimmer frame. I spent a lot of my time in a wheelchair, it makes me look at life differently now. During my illness I wasn't going to be pitied, I was determined I would get there. I used to have a lot of patience but now anything seems to be able to wind me up. I was having physio 5 times a week as well as speech therapy.

The thing that helped me get through the week was that I was allowed to come home on weekends but I dreaded the thought of going back and leaving my family! One day I locked myself in the toilet and couldn't get out it was so frustrating not being able to get up and open the door. Also I fell on the ward trying to stand on my own because I thought I could do it but I couldn't.

On a funnier note but it could have been worse. I was sitting in my wheelchair when I noticed that my teddy had fallen to the floor so I thought I had better get it, so I leaned forward in my wheelchair not knowing that I hadn't applied the brakes and I tipped forward the wheelchair shot backwards and I hit my head on the wall. It is funny now looking back. That incident feels like it was a long time ago and yet in reality it was only about 3 months ago.

Thursday 28th July 2005 is a lovely date, I was discharged from hospital. I had a surprise party waiting on my return and it was very emotional seeing my family and friends.

Since my stroke I have acquired a weird sense of humour which I can't control. But at least I can now walk around the house unaided but use a zimmer for outdoor use and a wheelchair for when I get tired. I suffer bouts of crying fits which I can't control but I am on anti depressants to help me.

Being in hospital has made me realise who my friends are. People tell me that they can see improvements every time they see me although it doesn't seem like it to me. I am having 1 physio session a week, and I am currently on a waiting list for speech therapy, although Phil says that I get enough practise anyway. I get very tired easily and am taking one day at a time.

My family have been excellent throughout my stroke and I wouldn't be here today without them all. (I have just started crying writing this)

I am waiting for an appointment to see a cardiologist in Cardiff. It is not open heart surgery; they are going to do it through my groin and up to my heart. I am dreading it but know I have to have it done. Then no more blood tests and no more warfarin.

It is now September and 27 weeks since my stroke. I have enrolled for the stroke club every Monday, and I have a new hobby of making cards which keeps me busy and I enjoy it very much.

Thanks for reading my story.

Update as of 14th May, 2006

Well I am fixed now! I had my hole in the heart filled in Cardiff hospital on March 3rd 2006. I had the operation cancelled 3 times, so I was getting very upset!!!!! I had the operation done through my groin and up to my heart and I was out the next day. I don't feel worried now that I will get another stroke. I have had only 2 migraines since my operation. I am now walking around with a stick which feels better than my zimmer. I am now getting on with life your only here once.

I hope this will help other stroke victims with PFO'S (hole in the heart). I am living proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel and life goes on.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Update - July, 2006

I had the operation In March which was quite uncomfortable. In June I went back to Morriston Hospital to have a Magic eye or toe and the doc discovered the device to block the hole in my heart hadn't worked as they thought it would. I was very upset and depressed. I am waiting patiently to go to see the Consultant in Cardiff to discuss open heart surgery, which I don't really want but will for a better chance at life.

Update as of 16th Jan, 2007

I am fixed now after thinking the operation to block the hole in my heart is now closed. I went through months of worry for nothing, but ay least all is well now and I can continue to make progress.

Thanks to Ceri 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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