Interview Section : Healthtalkonline

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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
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Stroke

People's stories

Age 56-65

Interview 53

Interview 53

Age at Interview: 59
Sex: Male
Background: Is a married father of 2 children and is a medically retired home office civil servant. Ethnic background/nationality: White/English.

Brief outline:He had a stroke due to a clot which came from his heart aged 55. The stroke caused right sided weakness and aphasia. Medication: perindopril (blood pressure) simvastatin (cholesterol), warfarin (anticoagulant).

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Paralysis on one side of his face means that chewing is difficult.
Print Yes [laughs]. Yes. Yes. I'm alright. I can't speak but anything else very good. How about your eating? Were you able to eat OK? No…The… You had a… Yes. (Illustrating - drop in right side of face) … a drop. Yes. And did they have to put a tube in to feed you? No. No? No. No? No. The, the… I was alright. You, you could eat. Yes. And maybe did they liquidise your food? No. No? [laughs] I, I want… No. Oh yuk, oh dear. [Makes sound] Proper food. [Laughs] [Makes sound] Oh dear, oh dear. And how was your swallowing? Alright. It was OK? Yeah. They, did they get you to swallow and … No. … do a test on you? No. Mine is right. But it just, just your face … Yes. … with chewing was difficult. And this. (Illustrating hand weakness) And that.

He had been given a card to show to people explaining that he had a stroke and has communication difficulties. He has found this helpful and has used it on holiday in America.
Print How is it when you meet new people or if you're out and about with your communication? Well… difficult. Mmm But it's alright. Do you have something that tells people? Yes. Yes the… is in. (Showing card). Hmm. So it says, “I've had a stroke”… Yes. …“And find it difficult to speak read or write”… Mmm. Mmm. …“I usually understand what is said but please could you speak clearly?” Yeah. …“Thank you”. And… that was from the, the Stroke Association. Yeah.Yeah. That's good. How did you get that? When you were in hospital? Yes. Yeah. Mmm. Have you… Have you been a member of the Stroke Association since the stroke? No. No. This was given to you in the hospital? Yeah. Yeah. That's very useful. I think people would find that useful to… Oh yes. Yes. … to know about. Yes. Yes. Yes. Because other people might not be get, given it. Yes. I… In Philadelphia. Yes. And I can't speak and they And you gave that to them. Yes. You gave that to the police. Yes. And said alright. And, and helped you. Yes. That's really helpful. That's good.

He has to vary the amount of warfarin he takes on different days by taking pills of different strengths which he finds difficult.
Print Medication. Since your stroke, have you had to take tablets? Yes. Medication. Yeah The… The… oh Warfarin? Yes. Mmm. And how has that been? Does it, do you have any side effects? No. No bruising or… No. …or bleeding? No. No. How about the blood tests? Yes the… the… Warfarin pills? Yes… You have different coloured ones? Yes. I know (Illustrating confusion). It is hard to remember which one? Yes. Yes. Yes. Are they different strengths? Yes. … to take? Yes. And do you have to vary them over… Yes. …different days? Mm hmm. Yeah. Sometimes you have to… Yeah. …you know, take 14… Yeah. …or 20 another day? Yeah. Is that difficult to remember? Yes.

He would have liked more help from speech therapy and felt it stopped because of lack of funding.
Print Have you had any help to try and improve your communication? No. No. The… is… he, he's Speech. Yes. Alright not very good. Did you have any more speech therapy… Yes. …since you left hospital? Yes. Yeah. Was that better than in hospital? …Yes. You said that wasn't very good. Yes but… After one year… Yes. …after leaving hospital? Yes. He said finished. No. He finished. You, you get bet, not very good. Hmm. That's, I wanted and they said no. [laughs] You wanted more? Yes. And they said no. Yes. Hmm. That's difficult. Did they think that you, you wouldn't improve more or was it… No. …financial? Yes. Financial? Yeah.

You have to be motivated to recover and find ways to occupy your life.
Print We ask people to give advice to other people that have had a stroke. What's been important for you in recovering from stroke? And what would you advise other people to do? The… difficult… sorry, it's diff, the… It comes from yourself? Yes. So… Yes. You have to be motivated… Yes. …to continue? Yes. Yeah. And what does that mean to, in terms of… Anything. …doing things? Anything. Mmm. Good… Driving, painting? Drive. Yes. You have to find other things… Yes. …to occupy your life… Yeah. Yeah. …and give you purpose? Yes.

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