Be aware of when to act F.A.S.T - A Poem about Stroke "I'm sorry to inform you that you've had a stroke."

    Bloody hell, I've been up all night with my foot, it's proper hurting. I don't want to go Googling, though, and get stupid thoughts in my head as to what is up with it. Like I mentioned yesterday, I have already taken ChatGPT's advice and soaked it in apple cider vinegar. 

   This morning, I hobbled around with wor Nec, just up the back lane, turned and came back the same way, avoiding the "murder spot" as is my norm. I hate that area; it brings back so many bad memories, even after thirty years. Yeah, that is right, thirty.

   So last night I hardly got any sleep. I had been messing around with writing my book, but my little piggies, yep, my toes were throbbing and on fire. So I went and lay on my bed, trying to drift off. No joy, so I reached for my phone and thought about writing something.

F.A.S.T. - the signs and what to do

   Strangely enough, I decided to write about a stroke, no, not me having one, silly. It was more about my experience working on a Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit. The things I have seen, the people I have met, the awful diagnosis and symptoms, that sort of thing.

   Anyhoo, I finished off the let's call it a poem this morning, showed it to The Ern, who I always like to get an opinion from, and he said "Aye, it's canny good like." 

   So, I have decided to post it here for anyone who fancies a read, and hopefully, as I have asked so many times now, without success, I hasten to add—please leave a comment. It's easy to do; simply check the area labelled "No Comments" at the bottom of the page and add your comment. I mean, my PayPal address is the same as my email address, if you feel that way inclined, just saying, Lol

Here you go **Revised - I made mistakes in my previous version **

I’m Sorry to Inform You — You’ve Had a Stroke

Onset

Just sat there, it's an ordinary day,
just like the last,
then you feel a sensation that you can't quite explain.

Something has happened inside your head
that’s affected your brain.
Maybe a blockage or perhaps a bleed, it's difficult to say.

Maybe you feel pain, perhaps you don’t;
maybe you’ll get a headache — or perhaps you won’t.
“Oh-oh, not feeling good — I’m going to…”

You try not to worry
but don't feel quite right,
whatever is going on
it's given you a terrible fright.

You think to yourself,
"Ah I'll just give it some time,"
but you really should know the importance of that golden window,
that 4 hours in time.

A window to act,
to put out a fire.
Quick, it’s spreading F.A.S.T, and could be dire.

You're thinking,
I don't want to draw attention,
I'm sure it will pass.

No — be sensible, do the right thing,
no time for a stiff upper lip,
don't be silly,
and go back to bed or things could turn out grim.

In that moment, maybe you know, maybe you don't,
but you'll soon discover your world’s been turned upside down.

The Turning Point

You've developed strange symptoms, in fact there's a lot.
Oh my God — you’ve lost your balance,
the ground’s coming up quick.
How could you be so clumsy?
Now you feel like a dick.

You're asking yourself,
why do you feel like you're on the deck of a ship,
leaning at strange angles,
and all dizzy,
wait — you’re now sat over on one hip.

Your head is swimming all over,
you're going to be sick,
"Oh no, pass me that bowl over and make it quick.”

Nystagmus — N’whatmus?
Your eyes can’t keep still.
You’re asked to track a target,
but your eyes bounce off at will.
You ask yourself worriedly,
"Will I ever regain this skill?"

Tests and Diagnosis

Which area of your brain has been affected,
the doctors will tell.
Then, with joint team efforts,
we will all help you get well.

Various deficits mapped to areas of your brain,
we will work on neuroplasticity and sensation
to try and get things working again.

You start asking funny questions like,
"Hold on a minute, why can't I feel my arm, leg, or hand?"

Why are my arms and legs heavy?
They feel like they weigh a tonne.
It can be right or left,
and you may not even realise you've developed neglect.

Visual and Speech Difficulties

Now, for some strange reason,
your whole world belongs to one side.
When you attempt to read words,
they disappear from a page and fall right off the side.

Oh no, you just discovered you can no longer speak,
all of your words just come out wrong,
and your voice is weak.

Ooh now you've discovered automatic speech —
Oh, what a joy,
with a word that sounds a bit like truck,
and you use it in each reply.

Your frustration with words is evident,
as you're getting really worked up and mad.
Watch out duck!
There goes another cup,
along with that automatic F...

Tests and Treatments

Lain on a trolley, you're taken for a scan,
it could be a CT or a M.R.I,
all very noisy — you're not a fan.

Sometimes people don't realise just how fortunate they are,
the miracle of modern science,
and how it's come so far.

Depending on their diagnosis,
you may be offered a drug with clot-busting properties —
it’s really very good.
You may also be offered a procedure called a thrombectomy,
which can work wonders,
but there’s no guarantee.

Mood and Cognition

You're like an old broken record,
you're just stuck in a groove.
Every question's response is a yes,
and it's seriously affecting your mood.

Speaking of moods, they can go up or down.
You may also feel real tired.
It's important not to blame yourself
and go on to try and be inspired.

Oh no, not more silly questions —
What do you have to prove?
That damn O.T. has turned up again,
putting you in a foul mood.

This thing called a M.O.C.A…
You’re asked, “Can we give it a go?”
The O.T.’s manner is so warm and bright,
You decide, “Yes, we can,”
and just go along with the flow.

Physical Challenges

You're now having problems
where you feel you’re struggling to drink,
your mouth feels like an old dirty rug,
and it's starting to stink.

"Oh look," who said that?
Nothing to see.
Then you get all annoyed as someone sneaks up on you and gives you a fright.

You’re adamant there’s nothing wrong with you —
So you go for a walk,
bumping into everything;
You’re not concentrating —
all you do is just talk.

You’re given simple puzzles, tasks, and various games —
to help work on coordination, sensation, vision,
and other things.

Sometimes you feel like you're being treated just like a child,
but it's all good intentions
as we have to practice what feels like stupid things,
we don’t mean to get you all riled.

You're lying in bed, uncomfortable, unable to move,
struggling with communication,
and your hands are all gloved.
You have a tube up your nose, which is making you sneeze,
and a chest that is painful and making you wheeze.

You look such a sorry sight,
hopefully things will improve.
We'll never give up on you,
and try to visit each day.
Even if therapy is just time spent to show you we are there,
to hold a hand,
and that we really do care.

Dignity and Care

This part here,
I’ve put near the end —
And I’ll say it in a whisper.

Don’t worry, it’s what comes naturally.
We all have to go.

I know it’s embarrassing
when you’re struggling,
but we are here to help —
And there are things we can do
to help feel better
and relieve that wee or poo.

Conclusion

And so, in ending —
How do we explain
This terrible thing
You’ve been unfortunate enough to have?

That question is easily answered:
with care and compassion,
and for you to know
We will do our best.

I’m sorry to inform you —
that you’ve had a stroke.

.