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In the quiet hours……

PixieDust

By PixieDust
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PixieDust

PixieDust

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A year ago today, I found myself in the familiar halls of the Stroke unit, this was not new territory for me, I had been there back in 2022.  This was a place that I preferred very much not to revisit any time soon however that was not to be the case and what followed was months of rehabilitation which is still ongoing.

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What’s been especially difficult is that despite extensive testing, no clear cause has been found, and the possibility of more strokes remains very real.

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I felt it was important to share my experience and what better time than the anniversary of the event. The poem below was written during my time in the stroke unit and reflects what I lived, felt, and witnessed whilst I was there. I’m not sharing it for sympathy, but in the hope that it encourages awareness and reminds everyone just how vital it is to recognise the signs of a stroke and to act quickly because doing so can truly make a difference.

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Think F.A.S.T. act FAST

A stroke is always a medical emergency. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage.

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The F.A.S.T. test as an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke. Using the F.A.S.T. test involves asking these simple questions:

  • Face Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
  • Arms Can they lift both arms?
  • Sp'eech Is their sp'eech slurred? Do they understand you?
  • Time Is critical. If you see any of these signs, call your emergency hotline straight away.

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In the quiet hours……

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Creme walls

Long halls

Buzzers beeping

Beds creaking

Bodies crashing

Nurses racing

Doctors thinking

Strokes reeking

Family pacing

Heart tracing

Faces drooping

Limbs flop

Chop, chop

Act fast

Time’s past

Meds layered

Tests tailored

Diagnosis

Prognosis

Specialists added

Charts rapid

Legs wobble

Hobble, hobble

Words slur

Thoughts blur

Push-pull

Cotton wool

Squeeze

Squeeze

Lift

Lift

Torch eyes

Smile awry 

Fog descends

Words bend

Numbness lingers

Butter fingers

Life changes

Rehab embraces

Tears shed

Not dead…….

ro****

ro****

Posted

Thank you for sharing the signs and the need to be vigilant in helping others. The strength that you share your private self with us is makes me wish to hug you. Have a great day.

he****

he****

Posted

Hey pixie celebrating a long friendship ttyl Tiger

Ki****

Ki****

Posted

My stroke was Feb 2017. I was a swashbuckling sailor the day before. I sold my sailboat. I dropped off the earth for awhile.
I limped back. Im not finished, my mind is strong. But it's a hard, tough road. I've faced hurricanes, and seas taller than thought possible. But the loneliness is crushing. The snubs and being ignored and shunned is something I thought were impossible are my new reality.
So Pixie, I will be your friend if you'll be my friend.
Be my friend...
Gene

me****

me****

Posted

Glad you are still here to share this experience, hopefully you are getting stronger each day as you.recover. Take care

Deleted Member

Posted

This is brilliant sis!!! Was this when I told you I thought you were having a stroke ? Or was that the 2022 incident? Either way I'm so sorry you're still going through this and there is no answer for you yet 

PixieDust

PixieDust

Posted
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6 hours ago, lil-monster said:

This is brilliant sis!!! Was this when I told you I thought you were having a stroke ? Or was that the 2022 incident? Either way I'm so sorry you're still going through this and there is no answer for you yet 

Thank you sis 👯 That was in 2022 when I could barely type to save myself. Yet somehow, I mashed enough letters together to let you know something was wrong and you immediately jumped on VC. Bless you for always being there. 💜💜💜

TDC4goodtimes

TDC4goodtimes

Posted

I can do relate, I had knee surgery in mid September of 23 and the 30 I had a stroke, then again in May of 24. It's so scary. I was actually in the waiting room of a clinic to do PT for the surgery when I had the first one. I had developed a clot. Only warning I had was a slight headache. My right side is weaker now, and my balance is not the same. I'm the lady half here.

PixieDust

PixieDust

Posted
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2 hours ago, TDC4goodtimes said:

I can do relate, I had knee surgery in mid September of 23 and the 30 I had a stroke, then again in May of 24. It's so scary. I was actually in the waiting room of a clinic to do PT for the surgery when I had the first one. I had developed a clot. Only warning I had was a slight headache. My right side is weaker now, and my balance is not the same. I'm the lady half here.

I am so sorry you had to go through that. Having a stroke is terrifying enough, but having a second one so soon after gosh so not good.  Thank you for sharing your story and I hope with each day you start to see some improvement with strength but I know it can be a long road ahead, hang in there the best you can.  Sending much love. 🩷🩷

on****

on****

Posted

Not gonna lie…. This is exactly why I’m here.
When you mentioned the “stroke unit” 🤣 I truly thought it was some new sex toy for a second until context straighten me out 🤷‍♂️
Somebody gets after you with the ole “stroke unit” you’ll know it! 😊😅.
Now … I’m gonna go finish reading it

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