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Nerves & brain
Stroke
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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
Support from patients and support groups
Sex life and impact on relationships
Messages to others
Finding information
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Stroke
Subject index
Topic
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Early care experiences
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Early care experiences
Early Care Experiences
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Stroke
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Early care experiences
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Early care experiences
Early Care Experiences
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Stroke
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Early care experiences
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Early care experiences
Early Care Experiences
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Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 09
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Has learnt about stroke from a variety of sources and been surprised to discover that there are many different types of stroke. Information from the i
She had a stroke at the age of 30 due to a clot which possibly originated from a hole in her heart. The stroke could also have been caused by smoking. Her stroke caused visual memory and visual field defects. Medication: simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (anticoagulation).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 10
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Developed a strong bond with the women she was in hospital with and feels the experience has made her a more humane person.
She had a stroke (aged 41) due to a clot from a hole in her heart which caused left-sided paralysis, numbness and central post stroke pain (CPSP). Medication: simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet), gabapentin, amitriptyline (CPSP).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Mr Singh - Interview 58
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Mr Singh had a stroke in hospital after being admitted for a heart attack. The stroke occurred overnight.
Mr. Singh had a heart attack and four strokes between 2003 and 2010. The strokes affected his left side and left him feeling restricted. His heart muscle is damaged and his heartbeat irregular. Over time he has regained some strength in his left leg but cannot use his left hand. Since having his heart attack and strokes, he has made many lifestyle changes which include daily exercise and healthy eating. His goal is to throw away his walking stick by next year.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Ralph - Interview 60
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Although 999 responded quickly, Ralph experienced many delays afterward.
One morning Ralph awoke to feelings of pins and needles in his arm and leg. Recognising that there was a problem, he immediately called NHS Direct. Ralph was happy with the quick response, but felt that things fell apart afterward. Since he lived alone and had no social support network (i.e., family to call), he discharged himself from the hospital.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Interview 15
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Feels that it is important to 'know thy enemy' so has sought lots of information about stroke, including new treatments and devices.
He had his stroke due to a clot aged 54 which caused right sided paralysis and muscle spasms. Medication: amlodopine, perindopril (blood pressure), ezetimibe (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Interview 14
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Was initially encouraged when a woman who had had a stroke came to talk to her in hospital but then felt disappointed not to be recovering as quickly.
She had a stroke due to a hemorrhage aged 60, which caused left paralysis, spasms, central post stroke pain (CPSP) and depression. Medication: bendrofluazide (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), fluoxetine (depression), gabapentin (CPSP).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Interview 22
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Patients and carers need a lot of information after leaving hospital, including information about benefits. They appreciated leaflets from the Stroke
He had two stroke due to clots aged 59. The strokes caused ataxia, dysphagia, dysarthria and double vision. Medication: atenolol (blood pressure), bezafibrate (cholesterol), warfarin (anticoagulant), hyoscine (reduce saliva), Thick 'n' easy (thickens drinks).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Interview 01
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Enjoyed meeting people from different backgrounds in hospital and admired the determination of one of the men at the gym.
He had a stroke due to hemorrhage aged 57, which caused left paralysis, left neglect and some early problems with speech. Medication: atenolol, ramipril (blood pressure), levetiracetam (epilepsy), paroxetine (antidepressant), omeprazole, (gastric resistant tablets).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Interview 16
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At first he was frightened about the impact of the stroke but was reassured if a little surprised that he would be helped to do things for himself ver
He had a stroke due to a clot at the age of 55 which stroke caused initial paralysis on his left side. Current medication: ramipril, bendroflemethiazide (blood pressure), lipitor (cholesterol), aspirin, dipyridamole (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 76-95
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Interview 32
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When she came home she missed the company and the support of the hospital staff.
She had a stroke due to a clot at the age of 88. The stroke caused weakness and cold sensitivity in her left hand and problems with eating and drinking. Medication: Antibiotics.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Interview 16
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Found it hard to get help with personal care and using the toilet and said that although the nurses are great you have to leave your dignity at the ho
He had a stroke due to a clot at the age of 55 which stroke caused initial paralysis on his left side. Current medication: ramipril, bendroflemethiazide (blood pressure), lipitor (cholesterol), aspirin, dipyridamole (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 76-95
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Interview 29
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He was not bothered about being helped with washing and dressing because he had previous experience when he had been injured in the army.
He had a stroke due to clot aged 83 which caused partial right paralysis and emotional lability. Medication: doxazosin, bendroflemethiazide, valsartan, adalat (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, dipyridamole (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Interview 14
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She was hoisted onto a commode and eventually taken to the shower by a nurse which was a great relief.
She had a stroke due to a hemorrhage aged 60, which caused left paralysis, spasms, central post stroke pain (CPSP) and depression. Medication: bendrofluazide (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), fluoxetine (depression), gabapentin (CPSP).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 10
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Found it difficult to be helped with washing and said it was a turning point when the nurses started to leave her to wash herself.
She had a stroke (aged 41) due to a clot from a hole in her heart which caused left-sided paralysis, numbness and central post stroke pain (CPSP). Medication: simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet), gabapentin, amitriptyline (CPSP).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Interview 03
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She had mixed experiences of nursing care but feels that personal care was sometimes neglected because nurses now have more responsibilities.
She had multiple TIAs from the age of 65 and eventually had carotid endarterectomy age 67. Medication: perindopril (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet), clopidpgrel (antiplatelet).
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Stroke
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Early care experiences
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Early care experiences
Early Care Experiences
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Stroke
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Early care experiences
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Early care experiences
Early Care Experiences
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Early care experiences
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Early care experiences
Early Care Experiences
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 11
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Discharged herself from hospital because she was desperate to get home and didn't want to be on a ward with mainly older people but then found it diff
She had a stroke caused by a clot at the age of 34. The stroke caused left-sided paralysis, left hemianopia (loss of vision in left field) and epilepsy. Medication: aspirin (antiplatelet), epilim, tegretol (epilepsy).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 11
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Discharged herself from hospital because she was desperate to get home and didn't want to be on a ward with mainly older people but then found it diff
She had a stroke caused by a clot at the age of 34. The stroke caused left-sided paralysis, left hemianopia (loss of vision in left field) and epilepsy. Medication: aspirin (antiplatelet), epilim, tegretol (epilepsy).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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David - Interview 61
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David describes a near death experience where his family is behind him and a white figure in front of him.
David experienced two strokes in 2003 in addition to two episodes of pneumonia. The stroke, which affected his mobility, balance, and ability to drive, led to an early retirement from his job as a monitoring officer for the local council.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 21-45
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Interview 11
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Discharged herself from hospital because she was desperate to get home and didn't want to be on a ward with mainly older people but then found it diff
She had a stroke caused by a clot at the age of 34. The stroke caused left-sided paralysis, left hemianopia (loss of vision in left field) and epilepsy. Medication: aspirin (antiplatelet), epilim, tegretol (epilepsy).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 76-95
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Interview 32
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When she came home she missed the company and the support of the hospital staff.
She had a stroke due to a clot at the age of 88. The stroke caused weakness and cold sensitivity in her left hand and problems with eating and drinking. Medication: Antibiotics.
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 76-95
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Interview 24
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On her home visit they assessed her home to see what adaptations she needed and how she coped in the kitchen.
She had her stroke during a hip operation at the age of 78. The stroke caused right partial paralysis and some pain in the leg. Medication: aspirin (antiplatelet) panadol (pain).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 56-65
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Interview 16
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When he came home for the weekend they moved his bed downstairs and he had to use a commode but he thought the visits home were fantastic.
He had a stroke due to a clot at the age of 55 which stroke caused initial paralysis on his left side. Current medication: ramipril, bendroflemethiazide (blood pressure), lipitor (cholesterol), aspirin, dipyridamole (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Interview 19
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Enjoyed visits home from the hospital and out in the evening, although they made him very aware of his disability and the problems he would face in th
Stroke at 45 due to dissection of right carotid artery. Caused left paralysis, spasms & painful spasticity. Medication: perindopril (blood pressure) statin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet), citalopram (depression) clonazepam, tramadol (spasms/pain).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Interview 05
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She refused to have adaptations made to her house because she did not want it to reflect her disability but later realised she needed a banister on th
She had two strokes 3 months apart (aged 43) due to haemorrhages from arterial venous malformations. The second stroke caused right-sided paralysis and muscles spasm. Medication: baclofen (spasms), phenergan (anxiety), phenytoin (epilepsy due to a brain tumour age 41).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Interview 08
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He moved to a more suitable house because of his mobility problems and found it hard that his wife had to organise the decorating as before he would h
He had a stroke due to a clot aged 49 which caused right paralysis and speech problems. Medication: bendroflumethiazide, perindopril (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin, persantin (antiplatelets), baclofen (muscle spasms).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 66-75
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Interview 14
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She felt very vulnerable and frightened at being home and thinks her husband did not understand. She would like to see more support for people when th
She had a stroke due to a hemorrhage aged 60, which caused left paralysis, spasms, central post stroke pain (CPSP) and depression. Medication: bendrofluazide (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), fluoxetine (depression), gabapentin (CPSP).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Age 46-55
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Interview 06
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When he first got home he found even getting washed and dressed very tiring and was very dependant on his wife.
He had his stroke at the age of 53 during an emergency heart operation. His stroke caused partial right-sided paralysis and vision loss. Medication: bisoprolol (blood pressure), simvastatin (cholesterol), aspirin (antiplatelet).
Nerves & brain
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Stroke
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Leaving hospital
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Leaving hospital
Leaving Hospital
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Stroke
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Leaving hospital
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Leaving hospital
Leaving Hospital
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Stroke
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Leaving hospital
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Leaving hospital
Leaving Hospital
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