An Important Community Message

National Stroke Week 2015

I don’t usually use this platform for personal reasons. But, as I often say, some rules are meant to be broken. And this is an exceptional circumstance that calls for a rule break.

This week (14-20 September 2015) marks National Stroke Week in Australia. And why this is important to me is because about seven weeks ago I had a stroke.

At only 30 years old, I was floored when my radiologist gave me that diagnosis around 12 days after I passed out and woke up an hour later in the emergency department at St Vincent’s hospital. So this whole stroke thing has quickly become a big deal to me, and my loved ones. Thankfully for me, my stroke miraculously caused no significant impairments and you would have no idea that I’ve had a stroke if you look at me. I am incredibly lucky.

However, since then I have wondered why a “perfectly healthy” 30 year old would have a stroke; reflected on life with a perspective usually reserved for people much older than me; and adjust to a ‘new normal’ life.

Stroke in young people – anyone below the age of 45 – is becoming a more frequent occurrence. John Hopkins Medicine reports that 10% of all strokes happen in young adults (out of around 800,000 total strokes annually in the US). These can be due to a variety of uncommon conditions, such as arterial dissection, vasculitis, cerebral vein thrombosis, and moya-moya syndrome. However, a 2013 paper by Sultan and Elkind reported that young adults [who suffer from a] stroke also have a high burden of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, obesity, and substance abuse.

In addition to that, those who regularly get fewer than six hours of sleep a night have an increased stroke risk, even if they don’t have a history of stroke, aren’t overweight and don’t have an increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Generally these findings are applicable to middle- to older-aged people, but they are something that you should understand and use as an incentive to start getting into good sleeping habits now. Making sure you get at least 7-9 hours of good quality, continuous sleep every night will hold you in good stead in the long run.

Facing a stroke diagnosis was incredibly overwhelming. Particularly when you realise the damage that could have resulted from it, and when you start to realise all of the family, friends, and colleagues you would miss had the worst-case scenario occurred. It’s bloody scary. And I think the hardest part to overcome.

Forever the eternal optimist, I see that there is a silver lining to this cloud. And to this end, I have become strengthened in my resolve to see how I can better use Get on Board, my board positions, and my board experience to help more people. I figure that there is clearly a reason why I was spared from the worst effects of a stroke, and that I must prove myself worthy to whichever entity or force played a hand in my successful recovery.

Combined with the emotional challenge of coming to term with being a ‘stroke victim’ – or, as I prefer, a ‘stroke survivor’ – I have had to adjust my life. I understand that doing the same things I did before and expecting a different outcome (i.e. not having another stroke) is the definition of insanity.

I was someone who prided themself on working their butt off. Day in; day-out. I could work anyone under the table. These days, I just can’t do that. Physically I am limited in how far and hard I can push myself. In the weeks immediately following my stroke I was exhausted from simply existing. Now, about seven weeks out, I can work half to three quarters of a day before I hit the wall.

But it kills me that I am still limited.

I haven’t fully accepted that identity change and it feels like I am mourning the loss of my closest friend (and I still cry when I write about it, think about it, and talk about it).

I am working on “Lisa 2.0” by mentally priming myself to accept my limitations, and to not let them define who I am. If I am tired, I take a break. Some days I even take a break before I get tired. How novel to have an actual lunch break these days! If I can’t finish a task, I try not to beat myself up about it, and I leave it for the next day to complete. I go to bed earlier and sleep a little longer in the morning. I have begun exercising in the evenings so that I can ‘sleep in’ of a morning.

These all seem like quite simple changes – and are things that we really ‘should’ all already be doing anyway. But changing is hard. However, knowing what awaits me if I don’t change is a powerful motivator.

So what’s the moral of this story…? We all hear it and nod and agree when someone says it, but believe me when I say it; appreciate all that you have in your life. Tell those people you love that you love them. And live life fully. It could all be gone (or changed) in the blink of an eye.

And since it is stroke awareness week, Be Aware (of what stroke is, how to recognise a stroke and what to do) and Live Healthily (to reduce the risk of stroke), and Get a Regular Health Check (to know your numbers and see if you’re at risk). Visit www.strokefoundation.com.au for more information and to donate.

[heading] Update: 2016 National Stroke Week [/heading]

I can’t believe that it’s been over 12 months since my stroke – I celebrated that on July 28. Now that it’s stroke week again I thought that I would update you all on my journey since my above post (originally published on 18 September 2015).

Firstly, the response I had to this post and the well-wishes shared by the stroke community was incredibly overwhelming and emotional. I was deeply touched and thank you all for taking the time to send me love, positivity, good health, and that I wasn’t alone in this.

So, what has happened since last year. Well, it turns out that my stroke was a good-and-proper one that has left a lasting impression on all future brain scans! That was kind of annoying and weird to learn about – also quite emotionally intense when you realise how catastrophic it could have turned out.

After my diagnosis I was scheduled in to undergo some heart examinations to see if I had something called a PFO (a patent foramen ovale). This little hole in your heart serves a purpose when you’re in utero, and should close over by the time you’re a toddler. It turns out mine didn’t. And the test you need to have to find this hole involves a TOE (trans-oesophageal echocardiogram) test under sedation.

It turns out that nothing is straight-forward with me – a recurring theme during this phase of my stroke journey.

I didn’t cope well under sedation with the TOE and so the test was not successful in the clinic. So two days later I was admitted to hospital to be fully knocked-out so the test could be done without me getting in the way, so to speak. The test was positive and I was informed that I have a “very flappy PFO” and it needs closing.

Cue the visions of open-heart surgery!

Luckily, these doctors are pretty clever and the procedure to close a PFO is minimally invasive and only requires an overnight stay in hospital. Check out this YouTube video that demonstrates how a PFO closure procedure works.

In true Lisa fashion, I had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics they put me on before my procedure (add it to the list!) and the blood-pressure cuff got stuck around my arm as I was laying on the operating table (FYI: that really hurts).

After that drama, the procedure went smoothly, and I woke up in the cardiac ward saying to myself “well that was quick!”.

A month post-proedure it was clear that the closure device had shifted and was stuck in an open position, meaning I still have a leak and the potential of another clot getting through. Great. My cardiologist prescribed me with medication FOREVER! Yep, I have to take a pill everyday. If it means a safer life without another stroke, I’ll take it. I was a little cranky though.

Along side the heart thing, I was diagnosed with some positive blood antibodies (when you have a stroke at a young age, they also test you for Lupus). Currently I have no outward issues with this; however, see a Rheumatologist annually to keep an eye on things.

It feels like I spent the majority of the second half of 2015 either anaesthetised or still under the affects of anaesthetic. Not a great time.

I’m happy to say now that I am pretty much fully recovered – I’m back at the gym, working ‘new-normally’, and enjoying life.

I’d like to take this time to thank the National Stroke Foundation and the great work and support that they offer, even via social media. One of the greatest feelings is that you’re not alone on this journey and there is a community out there who will wrap their arms around you and lift you up.

2016’s stroke message is “Speed Saves” – know the signs of stroke and act FAST (F-face drooping A-unable to lift arms S-speech slurring and T-time Call ‘000’ immediately).

Remember: appreciate all that you have in your life. Tell those people you love that you love them. And live life fully. It could all be gone (or changed) in the blink of an eye.

If you’d like to support the work of the Stroke Foundation, visit https://strokefoundation.org.au/donate

 


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4 Comments
  • As the partner of a “hard worker” who had a stroke age 40, (now aged 80), I applaud you Lisa for sharing what must be such an unexpected phase of your life. My partner’s stroke was more severe, but it has not stopped him from leading a very fulfilling, happy life. Your optimism, and change of lifestyle, will serve you so well for the future. It is “early days” yet, and yes, things have changed, but your identity has not. You are still the very same person, only a more enlightened one, so much more aware of the truly important things in life, most of all the love of family and friends. Best wishes Lisa for a very long and very happy future.

    • Thank you Maggie for your kind words and for sharing your and your partner’s experience. Your faith in me, gives me more faith in myself – a priceless gift. All the best to you and your partner, Lisa.

  • I too had a TIA last November.. And it was very hard to come to terms with and still worries me daily. Will it happen again, no one knows. Why did it happen?, no one knows.. I have a busy work and family life and struggle daily to get through my day but try to smile through it all… Stroke survivor I am and I will not let it inhibit my family’s perception of me as a wife a mother and a provider.. Live your truthfulness xxxx

    • I understand the daily uncertainty Laura; it takes a lot to get used to it (if you ever do!). Good on you for staying strong and busy, and rest is just as important. Congratulations on your tenacity and commitment to improvement. Thank you for taking the time to write your kind and personal message. All the best to you on your continued health and recovery journey, Lisa.

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