Coping after stroke - a poem by Kaye
Kaye’s beloved mother recently suffered a stroke, and Kaye has written a poem about her mother’s experience and her new role as a carer.
She shares both the privilege of caring, and the pain, the acceptance and grief. It is a beautiful and touching poem.
Coping after Stoke
It was a movie we were heading,
“A Star Is Born” we would see,
But her face showed all the symptoms
Of what life had in store for me!
They say “quick thinking” is the key,
And to recognize the signs,
F. A. S. T.
Face, Arm, Speech and Time!
A Stroke was the last thing she ever wanted,
And let me tell you it was hard,
She was left in such a predicament,
Not even knowing her own backyard!
Missing the movie was one thing,
Being trapped in her body another,
Accepting she may never walk again,
Yes, it was degrading for a mother!
I am lucky to have both parents,
I never hesitated to move in,
I always knew I could do it,
I found my strength from within!
I became my Mother’s carer,
I did everything with a smile,
I provided care, love and comfort,
And not just for a little while!
Her life had changed in so many ways,
And she never did complain,
She was dressed up and taken everywhere,
And she even drank champagne!
Sometimes she couldn’t talk,
And all she did was sleep!
But let me tell you, there were many days
I often had a “weep”!
Life can be cruel on occasions,
But that’s what makes us strong,
Mum had the best life ever,
Why did it go so very wrong!
There were hoists, slings and wheelchairs,
Just to get around.
I could tell just looking at her face,
It hurt! - But she did it without making a sound!
She never asked “Why” or “How”,
She accepted living with care.
Sometimes she forgot who we all were,
But, we all knew we had love to share!
The phone calls and the well wishes,
Really helped me out a lot.
They gave me strength in just knowing,
That I wasn’t losing the “plot”!
Our lives were turned upside down,
The day – that damn Stroke happened.
Mum lost her dignity and independence that day,
The future was just so blackened!
A Stroke can take your body,
It can even take your mind,
It’s how we cope and deal with it,
Always remembering to be kind!
Be kind to ourselves as well as to mum,
To give her, her dignity and pride,
To always show the love she taught,
Still giving her the choice to decide!
If I could take back just half an hour,
Half an hour before “The Strokes”
I really don’t think there was anything more I could do,
To take extra “special” care of my folks.
One thing is for certain,
And that everything is “Meant to Be”,
I’m lucky to realise my purpose,
And know I’ve done the right thing now for ME!
Kaye Musgrove
