Joanne Palmer

The plan was for an early night as I had a job interview the following day. This wasn't really much of a change of plan as I didn't really go out drinking and never smoked, ate healthy and enjoyed myself with my family and friends. I had recently been diagnosed as asthmatic and worked full time for a Plastics/Melamine firm in Warehouse Management/Administration, a very stressful and a demanding job. I felt it was time to go back into office work, a less stressful job; I definitely needed a change!

The next time I woke up was 2 weeks later. I have no recollection of the previous 2 weeks. It was an anxious time for my family, waiting for me to wake up. I understand that my mum had tried to wake me as I had a job interview that morning but received no response. Upon entering my room she knew something was not right she shouted to my Brother (Phil) and he tried to wake me, still nothing happened, then my Mum ran down stairs and dialled 999. I was 32 and had a massive stroke (21st January 2003). I was taken to Walsgrave Hospital where I was assessed and the outlook was very poor.

My family and friends waited patiently as a Priest gave me my last rights. The doctors were searching hard to find an ITU bed maybe in Birmingham, Oxford or further afield when a bed became available at Coventry & Warwickshire Hospital.

I was in a coma, around 12 days and only given a 30% chance of survival with signs of permanent brain damage. After 12 days I woke briefly and mouthed "IT HURTS!" complaining of a headache. Since it was a Sunday the Doctors were called in and the team did a scan of my brain, they thought it was a clot that had burst or fluid, thank god it was only fluid! I was rushed to the HDU (High Dependency Unit). This was the start of my long road to recovery.

I woke from my coma to find that I had no movement in my left hand side; I could no longer speak and would have to learn everything that I'd learnt as a child again.

I was shown pictures of people who mattered to me to try and remember them. I could not speak to communicate my frustration. I had to learn the alphabet in high and low tones and when I managed that associate words with pictures, such as cat and WOW!, it felt such an achievement to be able to say those words out loud!

I could not eat or drink properly and when I requested a bath, etc; a hoist was used since I was wheelchair bound. My family and friends had to take me everywhere in a wheelchair, as you can tell it was very frustrating sometimes!

At the end of February I moved to a Stroke Rehabilitation Unit in Leamington Spa, my home for the next 2 ½ months. If I hadn't gone to Leamington Spa my rehabilitation process would have been a lot slower, hence a rehabilitation hospital is desperately needed for Coventry, to date there still isn't one.

I had my own room and was encouraged to eat in the communal dining room. During my time here I had intensive physiotherapy which was 5 days a week! (I now call them physio terrorists!) I had psychology, speech & language therapy as my tone was very flat and occupational therapy. From wheelchair to walking with a splint (I have dropped foot also use a drop foot machine) and oh boy! It never felt so good to feel tall again!

Nearly 7 ½ years on I'm now living in my own flat and I help run a group for stroke survivors (Strokes In Coventry) which is every Friday 12-2pm @ Warwick Road United Reformed Church, Warwick Row if anyone's interested!

It's where people who have had a stroke can come along and have a chat. We (Irene and I) also provide information if needed, in the form of a contact list I complied from my own past experience.

I also attend a Speakability group on a Monday every fortnight. They've made feel very welcome and yes, they're all a friendly bunch!

I now drive an automatic car with hand controls and loving the independence! I am a volunteer at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire where I work 3 mornings a week in the Community Midwives Office; assisting in admin.

I am still classed as disabled; suffer short term memory loss and concentration. Sometimes I find it difficult to get the words out (more so when I tire), have good and bad days and have very limited left side mobility (I was left handed; had to learn to write right handed) but am strong enough to have survived!

I hope that my story will help others in their recovery from a stroke.
Remember be positive, stay strong and above all,
Never give up!

Thanks to Joanne 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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