a place for the old

I had my latest check up since my stroke. Me and Luke couldn't be late so we had to get a taxi to the hospital, but managed to walk all the way back without my stick.

My stroke consultant said she was so impressed with how far i've come and in six months time you'll never of known I had a major stroke. Which I don't believe.

When I go to the 'ambulatory care unit' to wait for my appointment i'm surrounded by old people, It's a place you go if you have; TIAS (mini strokes), DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), Cellulitus, PE (Pulmonary Embolism)Cellulitis,Anemia and COPD( Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
I am always the youngest in there, The other patients just look at me in confusion as I walk through with my walking stick. Today was a different day, for the first time I wore a dress with my splint on show (it looked awful) but I honestly couldn't care less anymore. I'm just so happy to be walking.When me and Luke got in the taxi, the taxi driver looked at my leg splint and asked if we wanted to be dropped off at the Fracture clinic, I just laughed.

 I am always the youngest in there, The other patients just look at me in confusion as I walk through with my walking stick. Today was a different day, for the first time I wore a dress with my splint on show (it looked awful) but I honestly couldn't care less anymore. I'm just so happy to be walking.Last night me and Luke went out for dinner, I walked all the way to his house on my own (my first walk alone since my stroke) And I felt so independent, I had the biggest smile on my face and held my head high. I passed one of my neighbours who stopped me and said ''you're so brave!''  Whilst walking through town we passed a drunk man who pointed at me and said ''whats that all about then!'' pointing at my hand and leg splint. All I can say about him is if it happened to him i'm sure he wouldn't cope and he's a wanker. Luke was so annoyed with him, and I just kept on walking, i'm not going to let someone who needs to get drunk to have fun ruin my day. And his teeth were clearly fake. I have no time for people like that, people who feel the need to make someone feel down. And i've been through much worse than his petty comments.





 

Anyway, my reason for this blog post is just to clarify that strokes can happen to anyone at any age and as i've had one, I'd honestly do anything to prevent having one; stop smoking, check your cholesterol, look out for any warning signs, be aware of if you have any illnesses and if they can cause strokes. 

I visited my old ward (the harvey ward) at Canterbury hospital. If anyone reading this knows anyone who's had; brain injuries, a stroke or a  serious accident. then get them to be moved to the Harvey ward, It specialises in physiotherapy and occupational therapy. And without the physiotherapy I received whilst there I wouldn't be standing/walking now. I owe them so much.I saw all the old nurses that had looked after me, they were so happy to see me, poor Luke was just standing waiting for them to stop telling me how far i'd come. I stood there with the biggest smile on my face, they all hugged me and asked me how i'm doing. I always cry when I walk far or see someone I haven't seen since my stroke, because I feel i'm a different person and I don't want them to think anything less of me.