Jennifer
Jennifer had a major stroke and a TIA at a time when she was caring for her terminally ill husband. She feels that stress played a major factor in precipitating her condition. She has overcome many of the physical symptoms she experienced, but finds it difficult to cope emotionally sometimes, particularly as she is now widowed and living alone. She had always associated strokes and TIA’s with elderly people but now recognises that they can affect people of all ages.
Jennifer had a stroke three years ago when her husband was terminally ill and she was experiencing a high level of stress. After several months of rehabilitation she had felt on the road to recovery, however several months later she experienced a TIA during which she lost consciousness, felt weakness in her arms and legs, and her speech was slurred. At the time she was visiting her daughter who called for an ambulance, and Jennifer was taken to hospital where it was confirmed that she had a TIA. Jennifer remembers feeling tired for some while after the event but has gradually recovered from the physical symptoms she experienced. However emotionally Jennifer finds life difficult sometimes now, especially since her husband died and she is now living alone. She sometimes worries about what would happen if she had another TIA and did not have a partner or relative nearby to help her, but on the whole feels it’s important not to dwell too much on such worries. Having said that, since her husband died she has found it more difficult to do that, and is taking anti- depressant medication to help her with this.
Although she feels that stress played a major factor in precipitating her stroke and TIA, Jennifer acknowledges that she has also been advised to stop smoking and increase her exercise levels. However, despite some attempts she has found it difficult to do so, partly because she found the side effects of the medication she was given to help her stop smoking hard to cope with. She is now contemplating attending a smoking cessation clinic to help her as she realises that it’s an important step to keep herself healthy. She also finds it difficult to go walking or take exercise alone but because she is financially stretched she is unable to afford to attend a gym or fitness centre.
Jennifer felt that the aftercare she was given after her stroke and TIA was inadequate and she still feels that her condition is not monitored as much as she would like it to be. She also feels that generally, stroke and TIA is thought of as something that happens to elderly people, and so was shocked and surprised to find herself experiencing these conditions in middle age. These feelings were heightened by her experience of being cared for in hospital for a brief time in a geriatric ward and she feels that often the services that are provided are aimed primarily at older people.
Since her TIA Jennifer has been in touch with the Stroke Association and has become involved in helping with an advocacy project to support other stroke and TIA sufferers.