Guest blogger Carla Langridge is a 76 year old personal trainer who can run rings around her grandchildren. She is still working more actively than most, was an opera singer in her youth and is a force to be reckoned with.
I was struck down at 10.45 on Sunday 15 th May. About 10 mins into my run on the soft sand I suddenly felt the need to sit down and within seconds I couldn't move my left arm and leg. I looked at them in disbelief and knew immediately what was happening to me and that early intervention is critical.
Luckily my voice didn't fail me and I yelled and screamed 'Help' for some minutes. Someone eventually heard me and next stop was Bunbury Regional Hospital.
In the ambulance I willed my arm and leg to work and after about 15 mins I was able to wriggle fingers and toes. The rest of the day was spent in ER undergoing all possible tests.
I was still filled with total disbelief that I had suffered a stroke. I felt humiliated and cheated. Personal trainers, Pilates and Spin instructors don't have strokes. But they do!
Luckily my voice didn't fail me and I yelled and screamed 'Help' for some minutes. Someone eventually heard me and next stop was Bunbury Regional Hospital.
In the ambulance I willed my arm and leg to work and after about 15 mins I was able to wriggle fingers and toes. The rest of the day was spent in ER undergoing all possible tests.
I was still filled with total disbelief that I had suffered a stroke. I felt humiliated and cheated. Personal trainers, Pilates and Spin instructors don't have strokes. But they do!
Monday on the ward, I had a visit from a physio and an OT and was given exercises which I could do on the bed. As soon as I was able to help myself I felt optimistic because the harder I worked the quicker I would recover. I was a model patient, writing the ABC with my left foot on the floor, executing fine motor skills with my fingers and doing leg raising exercises in the bed. Wednesday I turfed the walking frame and climbed some stairs and went to hospital gym. Thursday squats lunges and weights, Friday home. You are way ahead of the pack if you are fit and strong to start with.
The clot , caused by an irregular heartbeat lodged in my brain stem , and that part of the brain controls balance, coordination and posture. How lucky was I.
The exercises given to me are all Pilates based, using core muscles, especially glutes and pelvic floor to lift my left leg. I had to re establish communication between brain and muscles and if you want it enough it will happen. Quads and hammies needed urging and control of my left arm took a little time. The encouragement from the nurses and allied health professionals was exceptional and I can't praise them enough.
All pathways have been cleared, muscle control and strength is restored. I am back at work , not lifting heavy weights or jogging yet. After all it has only been 8 days.
I will not be defined, identified or limited by my stroke. I have taken it as a warning. It has said to me that some events are not preventable and I am not invincible, no one is.
Being lean strong and fit can't trump an irregular heartbeat and being almost 77.
This was event that was going to happen but being in good condition has helped enormously in the rehabilitation.
Recovery that might have taken weeks or months has taken hours literally. Having said that , a visit to the doctor might have picked up early signs and saved me the trouble of having a stroke...
I certainly won't leave it another 5 yrs!
The clot , caused by an irregular heartbeat lodged in my brain stem , and that part of the brain controls balance, coordination and posture. How lucky was I.
The exercises given to me are all Pilates based, using core muscles, especially glutes and pelvic floor to lift my left leg. I had to re establish communication between brain and muscles and if you want it enough it will happen. Quads and hammies needed urging and control of my left arm took a little time. The encouragement from the nurses and allied health professionals was exceptional and I can't praise them enough.
All pathways have been cleared, muscle control and strength is restored. I am back at work , not lifting heavy weights or jogging yet. After all it has only been 8 days.
I will not be defined, identified or limited by my stroke. I have taken it as a warning. It has said to me that some events are not preventable and I am not invincible, no one is.
Being lean strong and fit can't trump an irregular heartbeat and being almost 77.
This was event that was going to happen but being in good condition has helped enormously in the rehabilitation.
Recovery that might have taken weeks or months has taken hours literally. Having said that , a visit to the doctor might have picked up early signs and saved me the trouble of having a stroke...
I certainly won't leave it another 5 yrs!
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