Created and Developed by
Alberta Web Designs Inc.
|
|
E-Physio Associates Limited - Patients' Stories
Lets call him George
Born 1948 and suffered a major stroke in November 2007
Quite active 59 year old Gas Fitter/Plumber, was a moderately heavy smoker and
liked the occasional beer and/or vodka and tonic. A very good sense of humour
and a generous and kind man. Enjoyed our life with his love of gardening, going
out for meals and 3 or 4 holidays a year since our son had grown up and left
home. Hardly ever unwell apart from occasional ‘man flu’ and only been to the
doctors about 5 times in over 30 years.
How it started
Went for routine eye test in May 07 and was referred to his GP. Found to have
very high blood pressure, one reading was so high the GP made him sit in the
waiting room for half hour while he kept checking it. GP had already checked it
in February and it was 130/80 so it was a bit of shock to find it was so high in
such a short time with no symptoms. Attending GP’s regularly from June to
November 07 and GP kept adding new medications but BP was slow to come down. GP
did not give any other advice but just kept adding more medication. Pharmacist
was concerned around July/August and asked George if the GP had given him any
advice, a diet sheet, dietary advice, referral to smoking cessation or referral
to a specialist, he hadn’t. At the beginning of November the GP added yet
another drug and was asked to go back in 2 weeks, he was unable to get an
appointment so I phoned the following week to get the earliest one I could as he
wasn’t feeling 100% and getting continued headaches. Arranged for evening of 20
November 2007. After discussing things with George we agreed that I would go
with him to the next appointment as I felt it had gone on a bit too long just
adding more drugs. I was getting worried and was going to ask for advice and
referral to a specialist. The last thing on my mind was the possibility of a
stroke. Around 6am on Monday 19 November 2007 I thought I heard George go off to
work then a little later I thought I heard him downstairs so went n to check.
Very unusual for me as I am not a morning person and don’t usually stir til
about 8am, very rare for me to hear anything before the alarm. I came downstairs
George was sitting at the kitchen table looking a bit odd. When I asked him if
he was OK he said that he couldn’t remember how to make a cup of tea and didn’t
know if he had one or not. He said he had driven off to work and came back as he
just didn’t think he could do it. Said I would make tea then get dressed and
take him to the doctors or hospital. I was filling the kettle and turned to
speak to him and he just keeled over off the chair onto the floor. I called an
ambulance immediately, I knew it was a stroke and was trying to reassure and
comfort with one hand and the phone in the other. Ambulance arrived within 10
minutes and during that time he was struggling to get up off the floor. Doctor
said he had suffered a major stroke to the left side of his brain, he was not
expected to survive and if he did then it was likely his right side would be
totally paralysed and he would have no speech and possibly suffered brain
damage. After about a week of him pulling out nasal tubes and drips and trying
to get out of bed and also showing he could use his left hand, he was eventually
transferred to the Stroke Unit. Not as good as I would have liked with occasions
where his drugs and alarm buzzer were left out of his reach, often he didn’t
have his glasses on so couldn’t see anything and wasn’t attended to promptly if
he needed the loo. He didn’t have any use of his right hand or arm and all he
could really say was no and various swear words.
Treatment
Physiotherapy started after a week or so but he wouldn’t co-operate, often
pretending to be unwell or in pain. He was only allowed thickened food or drink
so not surprising that he didn’t really hold out much hope or see the point of
even getting out of bed let alone physio. Anyhow, I was invited in to the
sessions as they could not force him but my presence and encouragement could
help. It did, within several weeks of 5 daily sessions per week he was walking
with a tripod and support from 2 physios and also able to lift his leg a little,
he could also move his arm just a fraction as it rested on a pillow to support
it. He was only allowed 12 weeks on the stroke unit and transferred to a rehab
unit for a further 6 weeks in Feb 08. That was supposed to be intense rehab but
wasn’t, lucky if he had an hour a week physio and half hour a week OT and speech
therapy. However, he came home end of March 08 and whilst it was initially
difficult he has continued to improve. NHS services have been very lacking. The
first 6 weeks home he had daily intermediate care of physio and speech therapy
there was nothing. No one to advise or help except the GP who wasn’t
particularly helpful or knowledgeable. We had to ask the GP to arrange speech
therapy and physiotherapy and then found they both had long waiting lists,
nothing specialised for stroke recovery patients. After regular exercise and
therapy it was hard to watch him just sitting in his wheelchair doing nothing
when he had made such good progress and was motivated doing his physio
exercises. There was so much potential and motivation and it wasn’t too good
when we found the wait for Neuro Physiotherapy had gone up from 18 weeks to 36
weeks. As we had no idea how long the wait was for NHS speech therapy as the
local PCT didn’t have one on staff, we found a private one. It therefore made
sense to do the same for a private neurophysio. Bit of a minefield looking on
the internet so found those that did home visits and checked their credentials
with our private healthcare - they would only approve two of those listed and
they also had a limit on how many sessions and costs etc, they would not cover
any other rehab like speech therapy. We decided that we would try them and see
how it went and if necessary pay ourselves rather than just sit waiting for the
NHS. One of the best things we have done. Much more personal service with home
visits and use of things in the home that could help with exercise and also
encouraged motivation. Progressing continues and he can move his arm more and
lift his leg and bend his knee and walk with a stick some of the time. Searching
for continuing rehab has been very difficult but did find out about an outreach
rehab service for brain injury that has a contract with our local PCT and were
able to do a self referral. They have been coming for about a month and teaching
ways to do things for himself more, to give him more independence and not be
reliant on me or his carer who helps him shave, shower and dress in the
mornings. His speech is still limited but his intonation and gestures are
getting really good that its now not so difficult to understand what he wants or
is trying to say.
Conclusion
If I had to give any advice to anyone in our situation I would have to say find
out as much as you can as soon as you can about what is available and how to get
it and what the waiting times are. All that is best done while the stroke
patient is still in hospital as time gets very limited when you are home.
Basically be a bit of a nuisance so that you have as much info as possible.
Check with your local PCT, ask the ward about carers meetings, contact the
stroke organisation and see if they have a local support worker or suggest
someone who can give you advice. Above all, don’t just sit there waiting for
‘them’ to sort things out and tell you – be proactive and do as much as you can,
you will feel better if you are doing something and not sitting waiting for
someone to tell you as that may be a long time coming. Would also add that I was
not aware that people with high BP should limit air travel, really didn’t know
that and very peeved that GP did not advse We have been fortunate in that the
private therapists have been great, very motivating and encouraging and helpful
in so many ways and am so glad of their input.
|
|
|