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Stroke

(118 Posts)
gillybob Wed 14-Mar-18 07:32:08

DH and I were in Glasgow for C2C last weekend when he said he felt strange . Couldn’t put a finger on it but had a huge headache . Felt a bit better on Sunday but later that day it was apparent something wasn’t right at all . He started slurring his words and sounded very drunk . Face slightly drooped and felt very weak . He blankly refused to seek help while away from home and so we had the arduous task of getting home and getting to hospital where he had an emergency scan and they confirmed ( as I suspected) that he has had a stroke . Awaiting consultants reports today when hopefully we will find out what has caused it and what treatment he needs ( can have) to prevent another , bigger one happening soon. Apparently there is often a “warning stroke” followed by a much bigger one .

All he is worried about is work and where he should be . What to tell customers etc. Obviously no sick pay for us and other people still to pay, which is greatly adding to his stress (which is undoubtedly what has caused this in the first place ) . To be honest I’m at a complete loss and feel like I’m in a daze. I don’t know what to do or where to turn . I do need to be at work later today though . Life’s rubbish sometimes . sad

gillybob Thu 15-Mar-18 07:49:00

Just been told down the phone ( well what I could hear because of the really high winds) that “ he is not an invalid “ and doesn’t want to be treat like one !

gillybob Thu 15-Mar-18 07:45:09

Well I have just come out of the shower (DH was pottering as usual at about 6) and he’s disappeared with a note on the bed saying “gone to work on the metro”.
To say I’m furious is an understatement! I would be ready in less than half an hour. It will take him nearly 20 minutes to walk to the metro station especially in the high winds we have here today. Then a further 15 minutes at the other end !
The man was only discharged from hospital yesterday after having a stroke for goodness sake ! He’s not well . Instructed by consultant to “take it easy” etc. This is going to be very hard as he’s obviously out to prove something . Make him slow down? What a laugh. I’ll end up murdering him by the weekend .

Lona Wed 14-Mar-18 22:19:13

gilly I've only just seen this and I'm so sorry this has happened to your dh. You must feel overwhelmed. Get as much help as you can.
Sending a big (((hug))).

cornergran Wed 14-Mar-18 21:20:18

Better news gilly, even so can’t imagine how it feels right now. Hope you can both get a reasonable nights sleep. Please think of yourself too. Sending love to you both.

Marydoll Wed 14-Mar-18 21:02:55

I have just seen this thread Gilly and am so sorry to hear of your troubles. I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through.
As everyone has already said, please take care of yourself.

Willow500 Wed 14-Mar-18 20:44:00

Pleased to hear the consultant was happy to let him go home which must be a relief. Hopefully the medication will help to bring his BP down and his speech improve. No driving for a month will mean he has to slow down - literally - which might be a good thing. It will give you both a chance to evaluate where you go from here. Take care of yourself too - being a carer for him and keeping the ship afloat will be pretty stressful.

kittylester Wed 14-Mar-18 17:19:37

I suspect he will be well monitored now gilly once the initial tests etc have been gone through. You job will be to make sure he keeps appointments!

Fennel Wed 14-Mar-18 16:44:20

Good news Gilly smile.
Try to think of the experience as a timely warning that he needs to look after his health - especially blood pressure and cholesterol level. Like me.
He should have regular checks of both.

Purpledaffodil Wed 14-Mar-18 14:18:34

I cannot add anything to all these wise messsages, except to say I feel for you. My DH had his first stroke 10 years ago and 3 more since. He is aphasic like your husband and has trouble with finding words and also understanding speech. A little known result of stroke is the loss of literacy. He can barely read and write but there is so much you can do now with technology and he can do speech to text to write emails and use the reverse to read replies. My advice is to take all the help that is offered, especially in terms of therapy because it is always short term. Feel free to PM if there is anything I can do to help. flowers

Luckygirl Wed 14-Mar-18 13:58:10

Thank goodness the news is good - relatively.

I remember your thread some months ago about the pressures you are both under; and it simply did not sound sustainable. There is always a way through these things once the right decision is taken. The impossible can seem possible with the right mindset that unlinks itself from the thought habits of a lifetime.

Both my OH and I "jumped off the wheel" at various points in our careers because our quality of life was so poor. We became poor in a different way! - but never regretted it; especially now that OH has PD and our futures have been blighted by ill health.

Jane10 Wed 14-Mar-18 13:52:49

Good wishes from me too. So sorry this has happened. I'm absolutely sure you'll cope though. Cliché time again but it's always darkest before the dawn. flowers

midgey Wed 14-Mar-18 13:45:03

That doesn’t sound as I had intended! flowers. Hope life starts to improve soon.

midgey Wed 14-Mar-18 13:42:45

The very best of luck to you both. Your husband has been lucky but it probably doesn’t feel like it!

annsixty Wed 14-Mar-18 13:39:51

Better news from you gilly I am sure we all pray it will continue to go well.
Just remember though, you cannot do everything yourself, you need help and advice about the business, you and your husband are far more important.
Lots of good wishes winging your way.??

kittylester Wed 14-Mar-18 13:33:45

And, on a lighter note, how was C2c - did you get to see much? I was very envious!

And I told you gn was good for waiting rooms! grin

kittylester Wed 14-Mar-18 13:31:37

Sounds like 'good' news, gilly. You might feel that now is the time to rethink your lives but, in the meantime, make sure you look after yourself especially. Your DH will have lots of people looking after him.

Keep talking to us. flowers

gillybob Wed 14-Mar-18 13:26:07

I have read ( and re-read) all the comments while sitting in waiting rooms this morning and I can honestly say you are the kindest most loveliest people, ever . X
DH has had 3 scans ( MRI and 2 CT scans on head and neck ) no bleeds or clots detected ( consultant said small clots sometimes very hard to detect ) he is having another scan in a weeks time . His BP is very high ( which Consultant is saying coukd possibly be the underlying cause) he is also saying he is saying he is very lucky (really???) as seems to have only effected his speech (mainly slurring and struggling to find words ) and a slight droop on the R/H side . Both Much improved today from even yesterday . Consultant saying his overall fitness might have saved his life ! Also confirmed that it was a full stroke (not a mini) as numbness , speech etc. did not stabilised within 24 hours. Happy to discharge with mountains of tablets ( anti coagulation, blood pressure, statins... ) this is a man who has barely taken a paracetamol in his life !

We don’t know what to do about work yet DH can’t drive until he gets an all clear (has to go a month with no additional symptoms) which will have a massive impact on Work as he’s usually all over the country. I will have to go in once I get DH settled at home this afternoon as I Have had mountains of texts and emails from suppliers ( after money ) employees , customers etc . And honestly don’t know where to start ???? Wish I could win the lottery and I would make one phone call to my accountant right now !
Anyway upwards and onwards .
Thank you again you lovely people . smile

Willow500 Wed 14-Mar-18 12:57:43

Gilly what an awful thing to happen and everyone is right that you must concentrate on your husband's health first and foremost but .... having been in a similar situation with a business albeit without the added stress of such a serious illness so close to home I know how easy it is to say close it when in reality it's not. The phone still rings and customers still want their goods by the deadline - they may be sympathetic to personal problems but at the end of the day they also have a business to run themselves. What you do in the long term is something else but for now is there someone at work who you would trust to help you with the day to day running - someone who can run the workforce and possibly help with the admin side to ease your burden - someone your husband would trust so that the stress and worry he has is eased. He has had a warning and needs to take it seriously but is likely not to unless everything is in place to ease the worry about work. Do you have family who can help with your grandchildren too - I know you do the school runs - could one of the children's friends mother's do this for you? Thinking of you both - it's so very difficult to be in business and be ill when everyone relies on you flowers

Welshwife Wed 14-Mar-18 11:40:39

Make sure you look after yourself in all of this too. Your strength will be needed to help his recovery. flowers

Nanabilly Wed 14-Mar-18 11:28:58

It was having a stroke and a heart attack on the same day that made me re evaluate my life \ work balance and I took drastic measures to put it back in line.
Money or status is nothing compared to being alive and I was no longer willing to take that risk.I think the time has come for you to take drastic measures before it's too late.I
Good luck

Jalima1108 Wed 14-Mar-18 10:35:49

I am so sorry to hear this gillybob and I hope your DH gets the appropriate treatment very promptly - it can make all the difference.

Is there someone at work who can hold the fort for you while you decide what to do? Or do you have a family member who could step in?

I am not sure about filing for bankruptcy - that could cause your DH more stress at the thought of it. Would you be able to sell the business as it is a going concern? A lot of work for you, perhaps, especially when your DH may need you but perhaps best not to rush into something you may regret.

You are such a great support to your family but now you will need to put your DH's and your own needs first because, contrary to what we like to think, we cannot do it all.
And accept any help that is available; contacting The Stroke Association is a very good idea.

flowers

kittylester Wed 14-Mar-18 10:33:23

I'd echo what merlot said about the amount of time taken up by rehab, tests, more tests, physio etc if they are necessary. One memorable day I took DS for 3 appointments - one at the GP surgery and 2 different hospitals. A good book is worth it's weight in gold.....or GN on your phone!!

Fennel Wed 14-Mar-18 10:30:41

Very frightening for both of you Gilly.
First things first - your husband's health, and yours.
I'm sure the consultant will prescribe some treatment which PG will help to prevent a further stroke.
Thinking of you both.

Sar53 Wed 14-Mar-18 09:52:06

So sorry to hear this gilly. No advice but just wishing your DH well and as others have said look after yourself flowers.

ffinnochio Wed 14-Mar-18 09:31:19

I’m very sorry to hear this, gillybob.
I can only echo others in their recommendation of contacting the Stroke Association. Their advice and support has been invaluable to me.

flowers