After a good night's sleep it was great to wake up in my own bed. After my normal breakfast Helen drove me to the shops to buy some groceries and then on to the kennels to pick up Louis. He could barely contain his excitement when he saw us waiting for him and he had been very clinging since he came home.
I spent the weekend resting and getting back to using my computer. I had great difficulty using my laptop and have resurrected my old desktop computer with a separate key board and large display. I have always been a hunt and peck typist and now it is worse and I have definite blanks when typing. I think things are improving,
On Monday I visited my GP who arranged for the continuing blood tests to stabilise my Wafrarin levels. It will take a couple of weeks and I wont be driving until I am stable. He said that the initial opinion from the Stroke Clinic was that my stroke was caused by the Arterial Fibrillation which I appear to be having on and off for some time. There was some evidence of associated minor heart damage but with continued medication I should be OK
On Tuesday afternoon I was assessed by the Sunshine Coast and Cooloola Health Service District Community Rehabilitation Team where I was assessed by Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and a Speech Therapist. Physically I am in good shape with only a very slight loss of strength on my right hand side. I have problems with word selection but this improving. I passed the cognition test. The only area of concern is my emotional state which is poor due to the stress of first, Margaret's death and then, the stroke. Fortunately the main recommendation is that I return to my previous activites as soon as possible.
When I can I will return to MOW with Helen as my driver. I can start riding my bike immediately but with care not to get too tired or fall off. Finally I am to recommence giving talks at my computer club. I have been set the goal to prepare a talk for the OH&S Therapist on the Use of Open Source Software on Personal Computers.
I will have a follow up assessment including my presentation in a couple of weeks.
All in all I have been very lucky.
I have started making arrangements to get the house and garden back in order.
I will also be monitored by the the two Bs to make sure that I regain my emotional stability.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A Life Changing Moment - Part 4
On Thursday morning I was taken to have my MRI, which I mistakenly called a PET scan yesterday, about 7.30am and was told that the results would be available mid morning.
Helen came in about 9.30am. She had caught the bus back to Tewantin and then driven my car back to the hostel so that she could drive me home it things went OK. I showered and shaved and put on my normal clothes in anticipation of a discharge. We hung around until after lunch during which time an Occupational Therapist assessed my ability to live back home which was apparently OK.
About 2.30pm the Resident dropped in to tell me that I had had a stroke affecting the left hand side of the brain. Fortunately it wasn't severe. I would experience a slight effect on my RHS but physiotherapy and exercise would compensate. I had a very minor speech impediment which I am not too sure wasn't there before but I will have it checked. I was still mildly confused and had to search for the correct word at times. Most things would clear up in time.
The main thing that being a Type 2 Diabetic, having a quite severe bout of A-Fibrillation and then a significant stroke I was now considered a high risk for subsequent stokes and I might not be so lucky next time. To minimise the chance of future strokes I would be placed on a care program supervised by my GP with support from the Nambour Stroke Unit. Basically I would on Warfarin with blood checks twice a week until my INR is stabilised and then fortnightly. My normal Diabetic Care plan would be extended to cover Stroke minimisation. My permanent medications would include Warfarin, Lipitor or similar to lower cholesterol, Metoprolol to cope with my AF and Cardizem or similar to treat high blood pressure. I would also take Celebrex to cope with problems arising from my broken leg and hip.
The good thing is that I was advised to get back to cycling, walking the dog and other exercise as soon as possible. I was not to get too tired at first but build up steadily. I should be fit enough for my cycling tour around SA in October.
Unfortunately I cant drive for a few week until things settle down.
We finally got away from the hospital at about 4.30pm after my medications were dispensed.
Now on to the recovery phase.
Helen came in about 9.30am. She had caught the bus back to Tewantin and then driven my car back to the hostel so that she could drive me home it things went OK. I showered and shaved and put on my normal clothes in anticipation of a discharge. We hung around until after lunch during which time an Occupational Therapist assessed my ability to live back home which was apparently OK.
About 2.30pm the Resident dropped in to tell me that I had had a stroke affecting the left hand side of the brain. Fortunately it wasn't severe. I would experience a slight effect on my RHS but physiotherapy and exercise would compensate. I had a very minor speech impediment which I am not too sure wasn't there before but I will have it checked. I was still mildly confused and had to search for the correct word at times. Most things would clear up in time.
The main thing that being a Type 2 Diabetic, having a quite severe bout of A-Fibrillation and then a significant stroke I was now considered a high risk for subsequent stokes and I might not be so lucky next time. To minimise the chance of future strokes I would be placed on a care program supervised by my GP with support from the Nambour Stroke Unit. Basically I would on Warfarin with blood checks twice a week until my INR is stabilised and then fortnightly. My normal Diabetic Care plan would be extended to cover Stroke minimisation. My permanent medications would include Warfarin, Lipitor or similar to lower cholesterol, Metoprolol to cope with my AF and Cardizem or similar to treat high blood pressure. I would also take Celebrex to cope with problems arising from my broken leg and hip.
The good thing is that I was advised to get back to cycling, walking the dog and other exercise as soon as possible. I was not to get too tired at first but build up steadily. I should be fit enough for my cycling tour around SA in October.
Unfortunately I cant drive for a few week until things settle down.
We finally got away from the hospital at about 4.30pm after my medications were dispensed.
Now on to the recovery phase.
Monday, June 20, 2011
A Life Changing Moment - Part 3
When I woke up on Wednesday morning the Nurse told me that Helen had been in during the night and would return later. Apart from the normal observations I was left pretty much on my own. I had been given a copy of the Australian news paper to read but had difficulty understanding it. After a while I realised that the paper was a broad sheet and that I was reading across the columns. I had to mask off the area I wished to read.
I was still having problems with selecting words but thing we improving. I was also allowed to get up and shower and shave myself. I was still dressed in a nightshirt at I was being coupled up to an ECG every few hours.
About 10.00am Helen turned up with my rescuer from Monday night, B. Helen had got up at some ungodly hour, caught the bus to my home In Tewantin intending to drive back to the hospital in my car. B had met her and let her know that my little dog, Louis, had been put in kennels by my dog walking friend, B. The first B drove Helen back to the hospital as Helen wasn't sure of the way. I was very pleased to see Helen and after B left Helen sat with me for a while but made a discrete exit while I failed another cognition test!
I was visited by the Head of the Stroke Unit who said that he wanted to do a PET scan to check the extent of my stroke. He though that I had avoided any major physical problems from the stroke. I had a slight weakness on my right side and I also still had cognition problems. He thought that I would benefit from some physiotherapy and some speech therapy. The PET scan was scheduled for Thursday morning and if things we OK I could go home Thursday afternoon providing I had somebody to keep an eye on me. He also said that I would need to be on Warfarin and it would take some time to dial in the correct dosage. In the mean time I was to try and return to a normal life which includes cycling and MOW but driving is not allowed until my Warfarin settles down.
Helen bought her lunch and dinner in the hospital's canteen and stayed with me until about 9.30 when she went back to her hostel room.
I was a lot happier and was looking to going home.
I was still having problems with selecting words but thing we improving. I was also allowed to get up and shower and shave myself. I was still dressed in a nightshirt at I was being coupled up to an ECG every few hours.
About 10.00am Helen turned up with my rescuer from Monday night, B. Helen had got up at some ungodly hour, caught the bus to my home In Tewantin intending to drive back to the hospital in my car. B had met her and let her know that my little dog, Louis, had been put in kennels by my dog walking friend, B. The first B drove Helen back to the hospital as Helen wasn't sure of the way. I was very pleased to see Helen and after B left Helen sat with me for a while but made a discrete exit while I failed another cognition test!
I was visited by the Head of the Stroke Unit who said that he wanted to do a PET scan to check the extent of my stroke. He though that I had avoided any major physical problems from the stroke. I had a slight weakness on my right side and I also still had cognition problems. He thought that I would benefit from some physiotherapy and some speech therapy. The PET scan was scheduled for Thursday morning and if things we OK I could go home Thursday afternoon providing I had somebody to keep an eye on me. He also said that I would need to be on Warfarin and it would take some time to dial in the correct dosage. In the mean time I was to try and return to a normal life which includes cycling and MOW but driving is not allowed until my Warfarin settles down.
Helen bought her lunch and dinner in the hospital's canteen and stayed with me until about 9.30 when she went back to her hostel room.
I was a lot happier and was looking to going home.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
A Life Changing Moment - Part 2
Sometime before being taken to the ward my sister, Sue, phoned me from the UK. The neighbour who had helped me had phoned Helen in Adelaide and Helen had phoned Sue. I think that I was recovering some of my speaking ability as I was able to speak to her for a little while.
When I finally was able to make out things in the ward I discovered that I was sharing a ward with three ladies. Two were 83 years old and the third 65. In spite of my speech difficulties it didn't stop them pulling my leg. The sprightly 83 old told me to be a good boy as she was "taken" while the other, somewhat incapacitated 83 year old said that they should have contraceptive pills issued in mixed gender wards!
Next the senior sister came in to tell us that we were all in quarantine as a previous patient in the ward had just received notification that she tested positive to a highly resistant bug. All visitors and staff had to wear gowns and a nil contact regime put in place.
During the morning and early afternoon I was prodded and tested by various Doctors and Therapists to determine the extent of my stroke. I was beginning to feel quite good but my heart rhythms were still causing concern. I was transferred to a single isolation room in the Stroke Unit.
I was told that Helen was trying to get from Adelaide to Brisbane but most of the flights had been cancelled due to ash from the Chilean volcano eruption. After trying several airlines she got on a Virgin flight via Sydney to Brisbane. Here S, our next-door Airport bus driver, arranged for another driver to drop her off at the hospital. It was after 10.30pm when she arrived and I was asleep. The hospital arranged for her to stay a the Red Cross Hostel near the hospital and provided her with security guard to escort her to her room.
During the day I failed the simplest cognition test when I could only remember one of the four words I had to remember for a few minutes. I was also having trouble remembering words so my speech was a bit slow but not slurred.
I went to sleep on day two of my changed life lonely and a little afraid.
When I finally was able to make out things in the ward I discovered that I was sharing a ward with three ladies. Two were 83 years old and the third 65. In spite of my speech difficulties it didn't stop them pulling my leg. The sprightly 83 old told me to be a good boy as she was "taken" while the other, somewhat incapacitated 83 year old said that they should have contraceptive pills issued in mixed gender wards!
Next the senior sister came in to tell us that we were all in quarantine as a previous patient in the ward had just received notification that she tested positive to a highly resistant bug. All visitors and staff had to wear gowns and a nil contact regime put in place.
During the morning and early afternoon I was prodded and tested by various Doctors and Therapists to determine the extent of my stroke. I was beginning to feel quite good but my heart rhythms were still causing concern. I was transferred to a single isolation room in the Stroke Unit.
I was told that Helen was trying to get from Adelaide to Brisbane but most of the flights had been cancelled due to ash from the Chilean volcano eruption. After trying several airlines she got on a Virgin flight via Sydney to Brisbane. Here S, our next-door Airport bus driver, arranged for another driver to drop her off at the hospital. It was after 10.30pm when she arrived and I was asleep. The hospital arranged for her to stay a the Red Cross Hostel near the hospital and provided her with security guard to escort her to her room.
During the day I failed the simplest cognition test when I could only remember one of the four words I had to remember for a few minutes. I was also having trouble remembering words so my speech was a bit slow but not slurred.
I went to sleep on day two of my changed life lonely and a little afraid.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A Life Changing Moment
There! that's a pretty impressive opening but true.
Last Monday B, from around the corner, and I had just walked our dogs and I decided to put out the wheely bins. As I wheeled the recyclables bin to the back gate I became disoriented and very unstable. I hung onto the bin for a while and then slowly slid to the ground. I don't think that I was unconscious at any time but my arms and legs had minds of their own and I just sat on the back step for some time.
Finally I crawled back indoors and managed to pull myself up onto my feet using the washing machine as a support. I was very confused and staggered into the kitchen to get myself a drink for some reason. I had considerable trouble just opening the fridge door but finally poured myself a glass of orange juice. After few sips I felt that I had to have pee. In the loo I found that I could not undo my fly so I tried to undo my belt to drop my trousers but that was too difficult.
I decided that I needed help but found that I could not open the front door which was just on a simple latch not the dead lock. In the end I made it back out through the laundry, passed the wheely bins and manged to lift the D latch on the back gate. I was still able to remember to pull the gate shut after me to prevent Louis getting out.
My immediate neigbour was not available to I managed to stagger to B at No 2. She just opened her door and helped me into the first chair and phoned for an ambulance. While we waited B talked to me and I tried to reply. Later B told me that I just talked gibberish but I though that I was being quite normal.
The ambulance arrived in a very brief time as it was flagged as a life threatening emergency. The Paramedic checked my pulse, did an ECG and inserted a cannula in my arm. I learned later that my pulse was 180 over 130 and that my heart was in Afibrillation. It was quickly decided that I had had a stroke and as taken to Nambour Hospital.
The Resident Stroke specialist was called in and I was admitted in a very quick time. I don't remember much of Monday night except for CT scans, injections and a very noisy ICU. I know that Helen spoke to the specialist and made arrangements to fly up from Adelaide - more later.
I was taken to ward about 2.00am and told that I had had a stroke and would need several days in hospital. It was also likely that I would have to be on the blood thinner, Warfarin and other drugs for the rest on life. I would need regular blood tests and I felt that I had changed from a fit, if somewhat deaf, elderly man to an invalid overnight.
To be continued.
Last Monday B, from around the corner, and I had just walked our dogs and I decided to put out the wheely bins. As I wheeled the recyclables bin to the back gate I became disoriented and very unstable. I hung onto the bin for a while and then slowly slid to the ground. I don't think that I was unconscious at any time but my arms and legs had minds of their own and I just sat on the back step for some time.
Finally I crawled back indoors and managed to pull myself up onto my feet using the washing machine as a support. I was very confused and staggered into the kitchen to get myself a drink for some reason. I had considerable trouble just opening the fridge door but finally poured myself a glass of orange juice. After few sips I felt that I had to have pee. In the loo I found that I could not undo my fly so I tried to undo my belt to drop my trousers but that was too difficult.
I decided that I needed help but found that I could not open the front door which was just on a simple latch not the dead lock. In the end I made it back out through the laundry, passed the wheely bins and manged to lift the D latch on the back gate. I was still able to remember to pull the gate shut after me to prevent Louis getting out.
My immediate neigbour was not available to I managed to stagger to B at No 2. She just opened her door and helped me into the first chair and phoned for an ambulance. While we waited B talked to me and I tried to reply. Later B told me that I just talked gibberish but I though that I was being quite normal.
The ambulance arrived in a very brief time as it was flagged as a life threatening emergency. The Paramedic checked my pulse, did an ECG and inserted a cannula in my arm. I learned later that my pulse was 180 over 130 and that my heart was in Afibrillation. It was quickly decided that I had had a stroke and as taken to Nambour Hospital.
The Resident Stroke specialist was called in and I was admitted in a very quick time. I don't remember much of Monday night except for CT scans, injections and a very noisy ICU. I know that Helen spoke to the specialist and made arrangements to fly up from Adelaide - more later.
I was taken to ward about 2.00am and told that I had had a stroke and would need several days in hospital. It was also likely that I would have to be on the blood thinner, Warfarin and other drugs for the rest on life. I would need regular blood tests and I felt that I had changed from a fit, if somewhat deaf, elderly man to an invalid overnight.
To be continued.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Life gets back to normal and Helen's Pets
First Helen's pets. When Helen was staying with me she was continually looking for an animal which she said that she wanted as a pet to take back to South Australia. Her first real opportunity came on our Coast And Cruise excursion when she met one of K and S's old friends but he had other ideas and went and hid.
This Goanna was about two metres long.
Then just before she went home my friend B and I were walking our dogs through the local park and stumbled upon the ideal pet. I went and dragged Helen to look at it but as it was resting after a feed we let it alone.
This was a Diamond Headed Python and about four metres long around the back the coils were 150mm thick and a couple of bulges showed that she had recently eaten.
In the end Helen went home without a new pet.
Since then I have been battling a heavy cold but it finally appears to have cleared up. In spite of this I have been busy with MOW. I managed to get a miracle spray to prevent my nose from running and with much hand washing and the use of disposable gloves managed to complete rounds on Thursday, Friday and Monday. We were four drivers short due to a spate of colds and early flu.
I have also been busy at my computer club. I am spreading the message that there are other operating systems than Microsoft Windows. I use several versions of Linux at home and I am using Linux Mint 11 on this laptop. I have accumulated three laptops and three older tower systems so have plenty of hardware to try things out on. We have a weekly Linux goup meet at Buderim each week and help others to install various versions of Linux on their computers.
I have also managed to go on a Cycling Club Ride last Saturday. These are nice social rides and I enjoy the company.
We are now officially in winter and as it is fine today I am off to tidy up my garden.
Then just before she went home my friend B and I were walking our dogs through the local park and stumbled upon the ideal pet. I went and dragged Helen to look at it but as it was resting after a feed we let it alone.
In the end Helen went home without a new pet.
Since then I have been battling a heavy cold but it finally appears to have cleared up. In spite of this I have been busy with MOW. I managed to get a miracle spray to prevent my nose from running and with much hand washing and the use of disposable gloves managed to complete rounds on Thursday, Friday and Monday. We were four drivers short due to a spate of colds and early flu.
I have also been busy at my computer club. I am spreading the message that there are other operating systems than Microsoft Windows. I use several versions of Linux at home and I am using Linux Mint 11 on this laptop. I have accumulated three laptops and three older tower systems so have plenty of hardware to try things out on. We have a weekly Linux goup meet at Buderim each week and help others to install various versions of Linux on their computers.
I have also managed to go on a Cycling Club Ride last Saturday. These are nice social rides and I enjoy the company.
We are now officially in winter and as it is fine today I am off to tidy up my garden.
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