Stroke: Michael's story
On 14 March 1995, at work, just before midday, aged 43, my world stopped with a cerebral haemorrhage (left cerebral vascular accident), which left my right side paralysed and an inability to communicate. I lost my speech.
The only warning I had that something was wrong was when I got up to walk out into the reception area. I walked into the wall beside the doorway. I had a little chuckle to myself and answered a phone call. I had a manilla file on the desk and I couldn't turn it around to open it. I then discovered my right arm wouldn't move, I stood up and fell flat on my back. All this happened in about 7 minutes.
I didn't know what was happening until I was taken by ambulance to casualty at the Bendigo Base Hospital where I had a CAT scan and the radiologist said: 'Mike, you have had a bleed'. That was about 3 hours after I collapsed. Because I had lost my speech I couldn't ask any questions.
Later that afternoon I was transferred to the Mt Alverina Hospital. After 5 days I regained some speech but with a European accent: it must have sounded good as a nurse asked if I had lived in Australia very long! I was moved to the rehabilitation ward 2 days later where I started physiotherapy twice a day.
You just can't imagine what it is like being totally paralysed down one side, just trying to do the normal day-to-day things we all take for granted, like getting out of bed, eating, or having a shower.
Thanks to my wife's support and my positive attitude and determination and an excellent physiotherapist in Alison Cameron, affectionately known as Ali, I made it. Every time I swore, I had to give Ali a chocolate frog: it cost me a lot of chocolate frogs! I was able to go home after 5 weeks, with a walking stick, and continue my physio as an outpatient.
After a few years I'm back to normal. I am back at work where I've been employed for 25 years. I am driving my car, my speech is about 95 per cent recovered, my arm about 80 per cent and my leg only about 60 per cent.
With the continued support of my family and friends I will make it!
Last Reviewed: 08 January 2008
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