Interview Section : Healthtalkonline

Full list of topics

What happened? The first few days after a stroke :
The event: A stroke or transient ischaemic attack
Getting medical help
Getting a diagnosis
Early care experiences
A doctor speaks – an introduction to stroke

What problems did I have, and why? :
Changes to movement
Changes in sensations
Changes to vision
Continence and cathererisation
Eating and drinking
Speech and communication
Thinking, understanding, memory and fatigue
Emotional Impact of stroke

Why me? Why now? Reducing risk of another stroke? :
Causes and risk factors
Medication to prevent another stroke
Surgery
Preventing another stroke: Changes in life style

What happens now? Rehabilitation & care :
Stroke recovery: daily activities and personal care
Stroke recovery: physical aspects and mobility
Stroke recovery: communication disorders
Leaving hospital

Life after stroke. What is the long-term like? :
Major disability
When stroke is coupled with other health problems
When stroke happens at a young age
Coping strategies and resilience
Continuing care at home and institutional care
Driving and transport
What's important in care
Social support
Support from patients and support groups
Sex life and impact on relationships
Messages to others
Finding information

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Stroke

People's stories

Age 76-95

Interview 45

Interview 45

Age at Interview: 76
Sex: Female
Background: Is a widow with 4 adult children. She is a housewife. Ethnic background/nationality: Pakistani/English.

Brief outline:She had a stroke due to a clot aged 72 which caused left weakness of her leg and arm. Medication: amplodopine, doxazosin, enalapril (blood pressure) furosemide (water), simvastatin, aspirin (cholesterol), fluoxetine (depression).

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A woman who only spoke Punjabi knew her symptoms suggested a stroke but could not tell the doctor and was sent home from hospital. (Video & Audio clips in Punjabi)
Print Translated from Punjabi When you didn't understand its stroke what did you think was happening? I did realise it was stroke, doctors wouldn't believe it they said it's nothing. Did you tell them its stroke? I don't know English how could I tell them. Your family? Family, if someone came with me they could have said. No one went with you? My little grandson went with me. The doctor told him her blood pressure is high and we'll get her checked at the hospital. At the hospital they took blood twice and said it's nothing then sent me home.

She has been waiting a long time for a bathroom to be put in downstairs. In the mean time she has bed baths and baths at the community centre which she is not happy with. (Video & audio clips in Punjabi.)
Print Translated from Punjabi You just want a toilet downstairs is that it? I'd like a toilet and shower for bathing downstairs I don't need anything else, I just need this and nothing else. And for walking? I can walk little, slowly slowly I can go to the toilet but if the toilet is far I can't make it then, now. The toilet is upstairs how can I climb the stairs to go upstairs, if I want a bath how can I climb upstairs. I come here especially to have a bath. They should have given me toilet bath, so I could shower. Now I've stayed home 6/7 months. They gave me bath towel, with bath towel you can't get rid of the smell not until you use water properly. They used to wash my hair-using bucket, they can't bath me in a bucket. I used to smell that's why I started coming here. Here they bath you? Yes they bath me here.

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