World Stroke Day: Practise positive thinking

WORLD Stroke Day raises people’s awareness of strokes and what can be done to prevent them. It is observed on October 29 each year.

Highway Mail spoke to stroke survivor Jan Marais about his journey and how he overcame his stroke – as he is now mobile and very hands-on. Jan is a volunteer at Headway Natal.

Jan said it was just a normal day for him when he had the stroke. He remembers going to his bedroom to get chocolate for his grandchildren – the next thing, he woke up in hospital.

Recalling one of the most challenging eras of her life, Colleen, Jan’s wife, said it was 2006 and her husband had just celebrated his birthday during the week.

“On Saturday, our son and daughter-in-law visited with our grandchildren – it was just a lovely day. He stood up to go to the bedroom, and when he did not return and I went to check, he was lying down on the floor, unconscious.

“We were still staying in Margate at that time, and the doctor told us he was in a critical condition and they had to move him to St Augustine’s in Durban.”

Jan said he felt fine before he had the stroke, and there were no signs that he was ill.

“That’s the unfortunate part about having a stroke – there is never any pre-warning,” said Colleen.

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She said that although Jan was physically fit and very hands-on, the stroke might have been caused by stress.

“Most of the time, a stroke is caused by stress and high blood pressure. Nowadays, it does not only affect older people but is also common in younger people.”

She said the first three hours are the most critical, and if you do not get the right treatment, the effects of a stroke can be devastating.

Jan spent six weeks in hospital, and his health was deteriorating as he was in and out of the intensive care unit. He had an intracerebral haematoma which was removed by a neurosurgeon, he was transferred to ICU. During his stay in hospital, he developed a pulmonary embolism and was transferred to the Medical ICU.

After he was discharged from hospital, he was referred to the Entabeni Rehab Centre but as no beds were available, he was discharged into the care of his family. Colleen said this was a difficult time for her and the family.

“It was a sudden change from having a totally capable husband to a totally incapable man.”

She emphasised the importance of support from family.

“In situations like this, it always helps to have a supportive family and to have a positive mindset. At the hospital, I was encouraged to speak to him as even though he could not respond, he could hear me. The staff at St Augustine’s Hospital were very helpful and accommodating – I will forever be grateful to them,” said a grateful Colleen.

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Road to recovery

Jan said that although he does not remember a lot of things, he remembers the physiotherapist telling him that the day he could go up the long stairs at the hospital was the day he would be discharged.

“I welcomed the challenge, and I climbed up those stairs,” said Jan with a smile.

He added that although it was a long journey to recovery, he stayed positive. “I took it one step at a time, and every step a patient takes is a step in the right direction.”

Working at Headway has also helped Jan gain back his self-confidence and self-esteem. He assists with various skills offered at the centre and encourages patients to be positive.

“I am physically okay, but my vision was affected, and I suffer from short-term memory loss,” he said.

According to Colleen, in South Africa, nearly 240 people will suffer from a stroke each day. Some of those who survive the stroke will make a full recovery, but many will be left with lasting disabilities.

“This is where we, at Headway Natal, come in and offer rehabilitation.”  According to Colleen, many of the members at Headway Natal are stroke survivors.

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