Corinne - Stroke at 30 in Oklahoma, USA

I work with computer systems for easier use, usually with adapted hardware and/or software. When I finished my consultation one particular day I decided I was going home because I felt awful.

I got home and lay down. Then I had a shower and almost passed out. After my shower I just wanted to sleep. I became very dizzy and I passed out again. When I came to, I called my GP. His nurse said to come to the surgery right away. Somehow I drove there without hitting anything. When I checked in I was told the doctor was too busy to see me but I could see his assistant. The assistant told me I was just dehydrated and I should go home and drink Gatorade, which I bought on my way home. It was too tiring to get a glass so when I lay down on my couch cushions I just drank straight from the bottle. That evening my husband convinced me to go upstairs to sleep on our bed instead of spending another night on the couch. Since I didn't want him to get whatever I had, he slept downstairs on the couch. He helped me upstairs and I went to bed. At about 4:00 I woke up and I needed to get to the bathroom. I was able to walk there, but on my way back to bed I became dizzy again and blacked out. I fell to the floor at the foot of our bed, I was unable to get up and get back into bed.

Meanwhile my husband had heard me hit the floor. He ran upstairs to check on me. I tried to tell him that I had fallen and that I couldn't get my legs to do what I wanted them to do. My speech was hard to understand and, knowing that something major was wrong, Scott called the ambulance. They had to carry me down the stairs. I remember it was cold outside and I was mad that they had to take my temperature with a rectal thermometer. Once at the hospital I was rushed off to have a CAT scan that showed that I had had a "massive" right-sided stroke. I was unable to move my left arm by that time. I also remember thinking, "OK doctor, don't be an ass - we both know I can't squeeze your hand with my left hand, and get that damn light out of my eyes". They told Scott that I had had a stroke as he tried to convince them that I was not on drugs. They really didn't know what to do. Here I was - a usually active and healthy 30 year old. They initially thought that I had the stroke because I was taking the pill.

When my condition was stable, they moved me to a rehab centre. I spent 9 weeks there, constantly wondering what the hell I had done to cause my stroke. I was also very displeased because I was the only person under 50 in the unit and they weren't helping me cope with 30 year-old issues - like being told I should never have children, that I would not be able to go back to work. I still had a life to lead and they all acted like I was crazy to think I would eventually go back to a life outside of that centre. The rehab staff were using cookbook therapy for an 80 year old. They didn't know what to do for me, not an uncommon experience among the readers here on this site.

Thanks to Different Strokes I hope some changes can be made to how rehab programs try to make the patient fit the program, when it should be the other way around. Since my release in April I've returned to work full-time. I am unable to drive because of cuts in my vision. I still have OT and physio three times a week.

My emotional control seems to get a little better every day. I still fight depression and a lack of self-confidence. I can now walk with just a stick, for which I thank God every day. I think my sense of humour and wonderful family and friends are the reasons why I have made it through this far without losing my mind. The doctors decided after numerous tests that I have a defect in my right carotid artery called a dissection, which they feel isn't worth repairing. I'm getting another opinion. I feel very lucky that I never lost the ability to talk so I was able to tell a doctor off if I wanted to. I realize someone somewhere has it harder than me so no whining. Thanks to this wonderful site I know I'm not alone in this daily battle. Thank you to you all.

My story isn't unique or exciting, but this website has helped me a lot, as well as the email friends I have made. If anyone needs someone to talk to, please contact me. I would like to help if I can.

Thanks to Corinne 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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