Rowena Fox
My story starts when we were on holiday. My mum, dad, my partner Lee and our seven-year-old daughter Jessica were in Greece. I couldn't believe that we were there for three weeks to lie in the sun and relax. Boy was I wrong! Nine days later I had a stroke. It was Monday morning the 3rd of August. My alarm went off at 8.00 o'clock. I switched it off, got up and went to the toilet. When I finished I walked out of the bathroom to the French doors. I tried to open them but I couldn't. My right arm and my hand were numb. I walked away from the French doors. My legs were starting to wobble. Before I knew it I was on the floor. I had collapsed. I didn't know what was happening to me. I was out of it.
The next thing I remember is waking up in Zante hospital. The staff were all around my bed speaking Greek. I wanted to speak but I couldn't. I wanted to know what was happening to me. I was so frightened. I noticed that my mum, dad, Lee and Jessica were with me. I was pleased that they were there. I had to go for a CAT scan; it could not be done at Zante hospital. I was wheeled out in my bed to an ambulance. Lee and I were taken to a private clinic where I had the scan. When we got back the doctors said I should be moved to the University hospital at Patras. Only one person could go with me. My family talked about it and decided that my mum would come with me to Patras. I remember little about it but it was a long journey. Patras is on mainland Greece and the journey by road and sea took four hours.
In Patras I had lots and lots of tests, too many to mention. They thought I had encephalitis. I was treated for it for two weeks but I wasn't getting any better. The next test involved a camera down my throat. That wasn't very nice at all. With this test they discovered that I had a hole in my heart, which we had not known about before. The Greeks decided that the evidence of the hole indicated I had had a stroke. Where the clot came from and whether the hole let the clot through is not certain. When they realised I had had a stroke they let me go home. I was very weak, could not speak but had recovered some of the use of my right leg. After some discussion between my father and the insurance company, who initially suggested that my mother and I should travel home on the tourist flight, mum and I were transported door to door first class.
Once home I saw the stroke recovery specialist. He arranged for me to see a speech therapist and a physiotherapist. I had to learn to speak again. My speech was totally gone. The first few months were the hardest. I couldn't believe that I had a stroke at 28 years old. I lost all of my confidence. I didn't go out alone for months. I couldn't drive and so lost my independence. I couldn't read. I had problems finding words. I have dysphasia and dyspraxia but things are improving now, and I am getting used to it but I still struggle with people's names and places. I can drive now but feel happier with someone in the car with me.
I had physiotherapy for seven months and then went to the hospital gym for eight weeks after that to get my stamina back. I still get pins and needles in my right hand I'm hoping this is a good sign. The right side of my face is numb. I think that the feeling in my face will be the last to return. I have my speech therapist once a week I used to have it twice a week so I am getting better. I need talking practice now more than word forming practice. I go dancing now. I used to dance as a child and I know that I would not have gone back to dancing if it wasn't for my stroke.
I lost something that was precious to all of us. I lost my gift to speak. I have changed so much as a person. I am a lot stronger now but I do have sad and depressed days however there are more happy days than sad. I don't take anything for granted anymore. I live day to day because you don't know what is round the corner. My speech has improved and my hand, arm and leg have improved. I'm back at work now. I only do 6 to 10 hours a week. It's enough for me at the moment. It's a start, I still get muddled up with my speech and it goes when I get stressed or upset. I hope it will get better with time. I want to live like I did before. It will take time but I will succeed! I am on warfarin until I get the hole in my heart fixed. I am nervous about getting it done but I think it needs repairing so I can move on.
I can't believe how far I've come in ten months. I want to thank my speech therapist Nicola Richards and my physiotherapist Tracey Johnson for the work they have put in to help me get better. I see a counsellor now. I need to admit what has happened to me at such a young age. My counsellor is helping me to come to terms with it. I have to say one last thank you to my family, Lee and his family and to Jessica who has been calm and understanding through my problems. If it weren't for them I would have given up ages ago, so thanks a million.
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