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

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

Onset

Just sat or stood — minding your own business,
doing your own thing — when suddenly
You encounter a sensation;
It’s the strangest thing.

You’re not sure what’s going on —
Your internal voice can’t explain.
It feels like something is really odd,
and it’s coming directly from your brain.

Something has happened deep inside,
in a way unknown to you —
Is it a blockage or a bleed?
You haven’t got a clue.

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 you don’t feel right.
Whatever is going on
has given you a fright.

You think to yourself, “Ah, I’ll just give it a bit of time.”
But you really should know — four hours is the line,
as beyond that your brain will decline.

A window to act, to put out a fire —
a fire that’s spreading F.A.S.T., and can be so dire.
You’re thinking, 'I don’t want to draw attention; I’m sure it will pass.'

No — be sensible and do the right thing.
A stiff upper lip with stupidity,
And things will turn out grim.

The Turning Point

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

You’ve developed strange symptoms — in fact, there’s a lot.
You never imagined you’d end up in this tough spot.

Oh my God — you’ve lost your balance,
and the ground’s coming up quick.
How could you be so clumsy?
You feel like a bit of a dick.

You’re asking yourself,
“Why do I feel like I’m on the deck of a ship?”
Leaning at strange angles,
now you’re sitting over on one hip.

Your head is swimming all over the place —
You feel like you’re going to be sick.
“Oh no, pass 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?”

The Diagnosis

Which area of your brain has been affected?
The experienced doctors will be able to tell.
Then, with a joint team effort,
We will all work to help you get well.

Various deficits are mapped to specific areas of your brain —
We’ll work on repetition and neuroplasticity,
to try and get things working again.

You’re starting to ask funny questions like,
“Hold on a minute — why can’t I feel my arm or hand?
Why’s it not working or following my commands?”

Of course, that’s if you even know it’s there — where?
Hanging down by your side,
it looks very apologetic — it doesn’t mean to hide.

You wonder, “Why do my arms and legs feel so heavy?”
Either right or left — you may not even realise this,
as you’ve developed neglect.

Now, for some strange reason,
your whole world exists only on one side.
When you attempt to read from a page,
words disappear and drop off the side.

You’re asked, “Can you see the cup, my dear?”
You take a quick look around,
replying, “No, I can’t — it’s toddled off,
disappeared, never to be found.”

Speech and Frustration

Oh no — you’ve just discovered
You can no longer speak.
All the words come out wrong,
And your voice is weak.

Then you find automatic speech — oh, what a joy!
Producing what sounds like “truck,”
and using it in each reply.

Your frustration with words is evident —
You’re getting really worked up and mad.
Watch out, duck — there goes another cup,
along with that automatic F…

The Speechies visit and spend much time,
going over all sorts of things — verbs, nouns, and rhymes.
They work on different ways to help you communicate,
even using charts so that you can indicate.

Speech can be the most frustrating thing —
But please, try not to worry.
We’ll work on a plan
and spend time helping you improve and understand.

Tests and Treatments

Lying on a trolley,
you’re taken for a scan —
It will either be a CT
or a noisy MRI. Oh no — you’re not a fan.

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

Depending on your diagnosis,
You may be offered a procedure:
something called a thrombectomy,
or a magical clot-busting drug
That’s proven to be quite the achiever.

Mood and Cognition

You’re like an old broken record —
just stuck in a groove.
Every question’s response is “yes.”
And it’s seriously affecting your mood.

Speaking of moods — they can go up or down.
You may also feel exhausted.
It’s important not to blame yourself —
and to try to stay 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 —
You feel you can’t drink,
and 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.

Oh no — those physios are on the prowl again,
Sure to search you out
with their cunning and devious therapy plans.

Deep down, you know their “torture”
conceals a kindness few can doubt.

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

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

You’re looking down at your arm or leg
as someone touches your skin.
You’re told it’s called somatosensory therapy,
and asked, “Can you feel?”

Then you think, “Are you really touching me?
Come on — what’s the deal?”

Sometimes you feel like you’re being treated like a child,
But it’s all with good intent.
We have to practice what feels like stupid things —
Honest, it’s not a test.

Hope and Humanity

You’re lying in bed, uncomfortable,
unable to move,
struggling with communication,
And your hands are gloved.

You look such a sorry sight —
But hopefully things will improve.
We’ll never give up on you.
We’ll try to visit each day.

Even if therapy is just time spent
to show you we are there —
to hold your hand,
and show 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.

It’s a matter of what comes naturally.
I know it’s embarrassing
when you’re struggling to go,
but we are here to help —
And there are things we can do
to help 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.