In October of 2001 I suffered a series of strokes which changed my life and the lives of those around me........

This is a brief overview, for those who like me, are/were fairly ignorant about the effects of a stroke... (Until the day that changed my life.)

While relaxing one evening at home I felt a niggling chest pain. I was slightly concerned about the discomfort but tried to ignore it in the hope that it may soon go away.

After a couple of hours of unsuccessfully trying to relax the dull chest pain continued. I decided that going to bed might relax me, and the pain may possibly subside.

The ongoing discomfort in the middle of my chest continued , I couldn't sleep, and during early morning the pain was still with me but slightly more intense. It was a continuous dull pain and now it was beginning to worry me.

At around 4 am I decided that a visit to the local hospital was in order as I was concerned that I was having a heart attack. I was saying to myself, 'I'm just imagining things'.

I was driven to the hospital and admitted to the emergency ward.

After a series of tests and constant monitoring over the next couple of days I was told that I had indeed had a heart attack and it was likely I would need a double bypass heart operation.....

Surprisingly as a person who has very rarely been ill, I accepted what I was told and thought ' Oh well; here we go!'

I spent some considerable time in hospital reading a classic novel that I'd read as a young teenager. 'The Coral Island' by R M Ballantyne if you are interested.'

I was transferred to another hospital to be presented for an angiogram. This is a medical procedure that shows blockages and narrowing in the arteries etc.

This was to be the moment that changed my life!

'I have some good news!' I heard the doctor say.

He repeated 'I have some good news for you!'

I hadn't realised he was speaking to me as I couldn't see anyone, I only heard his voice.

The good news,  was that I had very little damage to my heart. 'Only one of the very small blood vessels in the outside section of your heart has been damaged.' The doctor  told me.

The bad news,  and no one knew this at the time was that during the angiogram a blood clot had moved into my brain causing permanent loss of half my eyesight affecting the sight in both of my eyes.

This partial blindness had happened to me a year earlier for no apparent reason, but it lasted for only a few days. This time it was permanent. Both occurrences were as a result of a stroke.

Three years later I still wakened each morning hoping, in vain, that I can see normally again. I appreciate that I am much more fortunate than the many who can't see at all.

It was around a year after the angiogram experience that I had another stroke.

I had been out to a friends Birthday party. Had a pleasant meal and a few beers in good company.

I awoke the next morning with a tingling sensation down my right hand side leg and arm. It felt like an electric shock. I called out for help, but no sound came out of my mouth.

I tried to call out again; my lips and face were like jelly. My attempts to shout out aloud were in vain. My mouth was behaving like a deflating balloon. My wasted breath passed through my uncontrollable flapping lips. I was now in shock!

I tried to get up and out of bed, I couldn't move. I moaned as loud as I could, I rolled out of bed and crawled on the floor to the bedroom door. By this time my wife had heard me and quickly phoned for an ambulance.

I had experienced my third stroke.

I lost my speech and virtually all of my memory but oddly I felt good.

My arm and leg were moving again probably before I reached the hospital.

With physiotherapy I re-learned how to eat and talk; and three years later, I was almost back to normal, but with half my eyesight, and elements of memory loss remaining.

Oh! I forgot to tell you.

Before my stroke I was really good at spelling. Now I have difficulty spelling menny simpel wurds. But thanks to the invention of computer spell checkers I have managed to write this article!

While in hospital I continuously wondered if I was going to die. The doubt was there, I was afraid to ask the questions and no-one offered reassurance.

I remember that during my experiences a doctor said to me to 'Take things a day at a time'. This made me think 'I don't have long to go!'.

Another doctor was a little more reassuring. He said, 'If ever I have a stroke, I would hope that it was like the one you have had!'

I must admit I have been very fortunate compared to many other stroke victims.

That's my story. 

I have provided an account into my experiences. I hope it is useful in helping you and others to understand the issues of having a mild stroke.

I won't ramble on much longer,  I will just 'dot point' a few issues and provide a source of useful information on coping with a stroke.

Best Wishes.

Les Parris

The Uncertainties

'Am I going to die today?'

This thought remained with me every day for  three years after the event, but not so intense now. I try to keep my mind occupied on positive thinking. Hence my time spent on developing websites, writing a book, writing poetry, designing a board game for youth employment and eventually returning to playing music in 2005. The band I play in is called 'Us Blokes'.

Medical Issues

I am now on medication to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, blood thinners, and indigestion tablets. Lipitor, Losec, Persantin, Astrix, Atacand, and Noten. The medication seems to be working well.

Emotional Effects

I have cried like a child on a number of occasions. The effects of stroke have multiplied my already emotional feelings three fold. However, time appears to be healing the emotional issues.

Support

There is a great deal of support available for stroke victims. Much of it is from families who have had experience of stroke in their family. Maybe a husband, wife or grandparent. Young people are not risk free either.

Physical

I am aware that many stroke victims are totally paralysed down one side. I have been very fortunate. Maybe someone is looking after me.

From Independence to Dependence

Stroke can totally change a family's lifestyle

Uselessness

The emotional issues are probably just as traumatic as the physical issues.

The Worries and the Thoughts

Thoughts of what could or should have been, are almost continuous.

Although I don't like the idea of 'taking one day at a time' there is always some uncertainty about the future.

I am sure you will agree that 'prevention is better than the cure'. If only we were more aware before the event.

I hope you find my account useful.

I wish you and your loved ones good fortune and good health for the future.

Les Parris ( Author)