I am proud of how far I have come By Margaret

One morning in 2001, I got up and realised I had some numbness in my left leg. However I was able to walk so I went to work as usual. It wasn’t until later that night that alarm bells really started ringing for me. I was in the bath at home and realised I couldn’t feel the hot water on my left leg. I knew something was terribly wrong.

I saw my GP who referred me to a neurologist. I then had an MRI which showed I had two aneurysms. Two weeks later, I was in hospital having surgery to clip both aneurysms so they wouldn’t rupture.

When the doctors told me about the possible complications from the surgery, they said there was a three per cent chance I could have a stroke, but I didn’t think too much of it. I had organised to have six weeks off work, but unfortunately I never went back. I suffered a stroke three days after my operation.

I spent the next three months in rehab. I had to learn how to do simple things again. And when I was finally able to come home, I was in a wheelchair. My entire world had changed – I came out of hospital a different person.

When I returned home, things remained challenging. I would begin my day with breakfast, the one hour later I would be so fatigued I’d need to go back to bed.

My husband’s parents came over every day to look after me as he had to go back to work to keep us financially afloat. Two years earlier we had built our dream home, so we had a mortgage which was based on us having two incomes. My family was wonderful, but nobody really knew what I was going through. I became depressed. l felt inadequate and I felt like my life had no purpose anymore.

This depression would continue for the next seven years. I slowly began making some progress and then one day it was like someone turned on a light switch and I decided I was no longer a victim. I started going to the gym and I joined a Stroke Recovery Club. I still suffered nerve pain and anxiety, but I was referred to a pain clinic to help me with that.

Sadly, four years ago, my husband of 36 years had an affair. He said he had thought I would get better. So, in no uncertain terms, I told him what he could do and that next month we divorced.

Reflecting back on all that I’ve been through, I have come a long way. I may have lost a lot, but I’ve gained a great deal too. I now do things I never thought I would be able to do. I am a strong person and proud of the woman I am today.

I’ve now turned 70 years old. I have a new companion in my life, wonderful children, amazing grandchildren, fabulous friends and good health. I never gave up. I value people more and objects less. I have also, at last, made friends with my walking stick. So there is life after a stroke.