Robert Runcie

Aged 52, settled with a family and established in a senior position at work when my life was to change beyond anything I could have imagined.

On 22 April 2010 I was on the train going home from work and looking forward to dinner with my wife Elisabeth. 10 minutes into the journey I became violently ill. Vomiting, dizzy, hot and cold sweats, unsteady on my feet. I thought I had food poisoning!

When I stood up to leave the train I felt dizzy and could not understand why I found it hard to walk. A train guard helped me cross the station and to a seat in the ticket hall.

My mind was clear but my body had stopped responding.

Luckily a friend sat with me for a while until his wife appeared to pick him up. We got up to leave, I lurched uncontrollably to the left and within a few forced steps could progress no further.

Wheel chaired in to the "Walk in Clinic". Head spinning, headache, double vision, vomiting and slumped to the left. Very high blood pressure. My wife and son appeared and I knew I was going to be alright (no logic just a belief).

I was admitted to hospital where I spent the next 8 days.

After 3 days of tests the neurologist confirmed my stroke.

For the first 4 days I was unable to get out of bed or stand, luckily my vision returned. I could hear and speak clearly. I then managed to move very slowly on a Zimmer frame progressing quickly to using a walking stick. After being taught how to manage stairs I was discharged.

I was lucky to have 1:1 physiotherapy 3 times a week for the next 4 weeks. Supervised by my wife I rigorously practiced the exercises at home. Her guidance coupled with my determination and drive produced outstanding results.

Once I was declared "functional" by the physio I was recommended to attend a weekly stroke exercise class. It took a couple of weeks for me to feel I was benefiting as I struggled with the noise and distraction of other people.

A visit to a podiatrist resulted in some brilliant exercises and shoe orthosis to recover the foot arch (weakened by the stroke) and pronation of my ankle. Within weeks my gait and fluidity of walking greatly improved. I still meander when tired.

My left side was weak but I had no paralysis or visible loss of body strength. I did have extreme pain in my head, balance problems and "pins and needles" in my lips. The left side of my head was numb, some feelings but the nerves do not respond to hot or cold sensations.

Before leaving hospital I thought the major problems to overcome were ataxia and balance. Even with a cane walking was nowhere near straight and standing still very hard - impossible with eyes closed.

Coming home I realised that the brain attack had been much more severe. I found I couldn't cope with noise (people talking, T.V.). I was sleeping at least 12 hours a night but still waking up fatigued!

Over the next 2 months, holding my wife's hand for reassurance and to guide me we walked, always with a stick. Progressively the walks increased in pace and length. Ataxic gait and deviation from straightness lessened slowly day by day. Gradually my nervousness, loss of balance and stress caused by cars, people (even birds singing in trees) reduced.

Progressively we attempted trips further afield. If I over reached myself the effect would be loss of a day or days to extreme tiredness.

Once the head pains reduced I found reading personal experiences of other stroke survivors was valuable. So much to learn!

I have lots of 'notions'. Often I will wake and feel normal. I have struggled to accept that I am recovering from a serious illness. Feels at times like it has happened to a third party, not me.

Accepting that normal is the here and now, not what I think it was, has been an essential part of my recovery.

I have been lucky so far in my recovery. 100% support from my wife, without which I could not have recovered so well or quickly. Good support from the Peterborough Hospital, My GP and local Community Stroke Coordinators. Physiotherapy in hospital and for 4 weeks afterwards was essential to get me moving. Ongoing work with the stroke exercise group has given me an outstanding physical recovery to date.

Less clear and understood are the unseen impacts on my brain. This is where the newly formed Peterborough Stroke Coordination team has been invaluable. Their experience of brain injury has given me timely therapeutic advice and programmes to complement the physical side of stroke recovery when I have needed it.

9 months since my Stroke, not yet fit enough to return to work but this is my objective over the coming months.

I am still the same person with the same intellect and humour, just slower. I am now rehabilitating my mind as well as strengthening my body.

Thanks to Robert for sending in his 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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