Kirsty’s Story – Ischaemic Stroke at 37
- Greg Hollingworth
It was the 18th April 2025 when I had my stroke. It was Good Friday and my partner Dave and I were looking forward to a weekend of Easter fun with our children (9 years and 4 months old) and our families. We woke up early, due to having a young baby of course, and I felt what I could only describe as feeling “off”. I had a strange sensation in my head. It wasn’t painful nor could I describe it as a headache, but rather a “cold” feeling. I told Dave about it but at this point I was still chatty and looking forward to the day. He told me to get in to the shower, which I did and whilst in there I felt weak, as though my arms and legs weren’t able to hold me.
I decided to go and get back in to bed for an hour. I awoke again but this time I knew something was seriously wrong. I looked in to the mirror and I couldn’t see myself or make out what I was looking at. I shouted for Dave to help me but my voice was so weak he couldn’t hear me. I was slumped to my right and couldn’t sit up at all. After what felt like a lifetime he came upstairs to check on me and all I could mouth was
“Get me an ambulance!”.
It was at this point that I began vomiting. He immediately called for his mum, who is a nurse, who recognised what could potentially be happening. She began asking me the ‘stroke questions’:
“Can you lift your arms”, and asked me to smile, etc.
Eventually Dave and his dad got me down the stairs and into the car. I believe I was unconscious at this point because I do not remember a single thing from the journey. I got to Victoria hospital in Blackpool, as we were visiting for the weekend and a paramedic came running over, got me in to a wheelchair and took me in. Within a very short period of time I had been seen by multiple medics, had a cannula fitted, had two CT scans and been transferred to the stroke assessment room. Unfortunately, as it was a bank holiday, the consultants were not on site and the software to check CT scan was down so I was not given any clot-busting medication, it was too late. I was then admitted on to the stroke ward.
Even though the action of the hospital was quick, nothing prepared me for how, in the blink of an eye your life can change. We are from Darwen, and I even had my beloved Blackburn Rovers shirt on when I was admitted, and I was all ready for a day of family friendly football rivalry to this. The day before I was a happy 37 year old, on maternity leave, with a beautiful 9 year old daughter and a gorgeous 4 month old son – so our happy family with very little cares in the world, to my world suddenly being upside down (quite literally).
Eventually I was given an MRI scan which should a cerebellum stroke caused by an arterial dissection. I was asked constantly had I banged my head or had any trauma but the only thing I could think of was that I had complained of a sore neck around a week prior to my stroke. But I put it down to picking up the baby or car seat. Never would I have imagined something as simple as that would look like it led up to a stroke.
After the stroke was confirmed I was terrified. I couldn’t walk, was catheterised, was struggling to swallow and had no sensation down my left side. I’d gone from being a very active independent woman to now relying on my partner, family or nurses to do everything. I felt as though my dignity and independence was forever gone.
However, the Blackpool stroke team were incredible and didn’t let me wallow for long. I had swallow tests almost immediately, and although I struggled I passed, so that meant I was able to be given soft foods. This felt like an instant win. I was also encouraged to get up and with two members of the PT (physical therapy) team and “Zelda” (my walking frame) I was taking my first few steps within a couple of days of my stroke.
After 8 days I was transferred to Royal Blackburn hospital, so I could be closer to home and see my children. I hadn’t seen them since the day of my stroke.
The reunion was so emotional for me, but a moment I’ll never forget and always treasure. The day after I knew I needed to be at home for them (and my own mental well-being – I am not a good patient) and so I begged my consultant, the ward sister and the PT team to let me go home. I was told if I could prove I was safe in my home; then I could go. I had to have numerous tests; including having to walk up and down stairs, get up and down from the toilet and walk the length of the hospital. I have never tried so hard in my life, but I did it and that day I went home. I have never appreciated my own bed, a home cooked meal and my family as much in my life – and I still do.
I knew the journey was a long one – and I am still on it, but with sheer determination to be the mum and partner I was before, and the love I have for my family – I feel positive I will eventually be the Kirsty I was before. Recovery for me has been positive. I was lucky in the sense that whilst I have no sensation on my left side, I had no loss of strength, so rehabilitation to walk was successful. However, my balance and vision is still an issue.
I have a nystagmus, which is involuntary eye movement, and I do have some misalignment of my eyes. I have been given glasses with special lenses so help with that, but this also contributes to my poor balance. I am confident that with time this will continue to improve.
I have also been diagnosed with a patent foreman ovale (PFO) or ‘hole in the heart’. Although my consultant is confident that the stroke wasn’t caused by this we are yet unsure what to do with this.
Weirdly I have lost the ability to yawn; I haven’t yawned in over five months! My laugh isn’t the same and I cough differently, but they’re small prices to pay in the grand scheme of things. I struggle hugely with fatigue but now know my triggers and what I have to do to avoid feeling so fatigued I can’t function.
It is my family who make up my biggest supporters, and I don’t quite know what I would do without them. Strokes don’t just affect you physically but also mentally; the anxiety can be overwhelming, but the support from groups such as Different Strokes can really put your mind at rest.
For future stroke survivors I would love to see more support for young people. The stroke wards are aimed at “elderly medicine” (in fact every single letter of mine mentions either “geriatric” medicine or “elderly medicine services”), so that almost made me feel a little lost and forgotten about. We should all now know that the stroke club includes people of all ages; not just the elderly. A dedicated nurse for young people would be hugely beneficial.
If I had any tips for anyone going through this it would be to ask for help, to lean on your family. You are not a burden, and they want to help you. Use that and take their help. It will aid your recovery! Also honestly, don’t feel like you need to be a hero. If you’re having a bad day, or a day were you feel unwell or particularly tired, then tell them. Share the load. And finally, don’t give up. You will be okay. Life may not necessarily be the same, but it’s still worth living. It’s not the end; it’s an invitation and opportunity for a new beginning.
I was introduced to Different Strokes by a member of the Stroke Association team. He called me to offer me support as he was also a young stroke survivor and signposted me to DS (Different Strokes). I joined and instantly felt heard. It was so strange at first to read other people going through the exact same as me. I felt, less lonely.
I am now looking forward to the future, instead of being afraid by what it looks like. I want to be the fun, active mum I once was- that’s my main goal, but I am looking forward to a family holiday soon to Majorca. It’ll certainly look different but I can’t wait. A future goals, is getting back to my job in a high school that I love and can’t wait to return to. I’m also looking forward to getting my driving licence back; mainly so I can go shopping again!!!
If you’re new to this journey – don’t give up, or feel like you need to. This too shall pass.
Your donation helps others like Kirsty on their journeys
There are 100,000 strokes in the UK each year with 1 in 4 happening to somebody of working age or younger. Different Strokes aims to promote independent stroke recovery and help these younger stroke survivors reclaim their lives.
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