Hi all, I haven’t been on here for a while but after a busy couple of weeks I have some really positive news and thought I’d share for those of you who are where I was 8 months ago.
I had a stroke back at the end of March. I’m 43 (42 at the time) a part time primary school teacher, wife and mum to 2 young children and a lively dog! Physically there was absolutely nothing wrong with me until I had a bubble echo and a pfo was discovered.
I was lucky, the stroke didn’t have any obvious physical effects on me. The worst things have been the fatigue and a difficulty in coping in noisy, demanding situations. This has meant that I haven’t yet returned to work - although I was fortunate to get voluntary redundancy and time to reassess.
So, where am I now. For anyone out there who is like me, it does get better. Not daily, it’s slower than that, I chart things monthly. I would say I am now back to about 95% of where I was most of the time, 85% if I get cocky and over do it. I have been volunteering in our local primary school and this week was asked if I’d like to apply to regular supply work there... yes please! I may not be ready for a class of my own and the paperwork but I am able to do a day of supply here and there.
Finally, I went to see the cardiologist today, ready to put forward my argument for a pfo repair. No argument was needed! The funding is there and I was advised that the repair is far better for me than another 50 years on blood thinners. So 2020 is going to be a new start - new job, fixed heart and gradual improvement until hopefully, one day, I won’t be feeling the twitch in my eye that signals another fatigue attack is coming on.
Things do get better, there are happy endings. A complete change of direction for me but I am far happier with my new life. Look for and celebrate the positives and the small stuff. They are there xxx
