My nana had a stroke - warning to others

[Starmum22]

I am just utterly devastated. My nana is 80 and had a stroke on Wednesday. Unfortunately my papa didn’t want to bother anybody so despite being worried about her didn’t seek help. It wasn’t until I visited yesterday lunch time and he took me to one side and asked to speak to me. He said he was worried about my nana and knew something wasn’t right and asked me to speak to her. I did and she was sitting in my papa’s chair, still in her pjs (not like her at all) and speaking complete gibberish. She was repeating herself and not able to finish her sentences, saying mixed up words and random, out of context words. I knew after speaking to her for a few seconds there was something very wrong. I phoned my mum to get her round and said I was phoning doctor, she said phone 999. I did and was asked if I could get my nana to do three things- smile, raise both arms above her head, and repeat the phrase ‘the early bird catches the worm’. The first two things she managed to do, she smiled straight away. She was a bit confused when I asked her if she could lift her arms up and said ‘yes’ when I asked her - not realising I actually wanted her to lift her arms! The third thing, repeat the phrase, she was completely unable to do. She said a random word followed by a nonsense word then she shook her head.

The ambulance arrived 2 minutes after I’d phoned and after a quick assessment they took her to hospital. I can not fault the staff at all, they were fantastic with her. The stroke was diagnosed after a CT scan, which she got really quickly.

She is currently in the acute assessment unit waiting on a bed in the stroke ward and the doctor has said we’ll know more in the next couple of days.

I guess I just wanted to share my story in case it could help someone else. My nana didn’t display any of the typical physical symptoms of having a stroke, such as lopsided smile, being unable to lift her arms equally or numbness. So be alert with elderly parents/grandparents/spouses and if there’s anything out of the ordinary seek help right away.

[Disneycraft]

So sorry to read this .thank goodness you went round and realised something was wrong .hope she recovers quickly x

[taylaboo]

So sorry to read this. My hubby had a stroke in July 2017. He fell in the lounge and couldn't talk. I rang 999 and they were here within minutes. He was admitted to the acute stroke ward. He had lost the use of his left arm and leg and couldn't talk. In the first week he had a speech therapist and got talking again. After six weeks of physio in hospital and 9 weeks of physio at home he is now walking unaided and can use his arm. It's not as strong as it was but compared to what he was like its fantastic. I was also asked the same questions, hubby couldn't talk, lift his arm, or smile so I knew what had happened immediately. With the proper physio etc you should see improvements quite soon. Sending hugs x

[JudeB]

Sorry to hear about your Nana. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You did all the right things and it looks like the ambulance service were very quick to get there. It's a scary time for all concerned. Your advice is very good.

[DISNEYLIZ]

Sending you all a massive hug. Hope your Nana will be ok

[ClaireNJ]

Hope she’ll be ok X

[Bootrip2]

lots of pixie dust to your nan, just goes to show how easy it is to miss symptoms when its not completely obvious.

[Megandllsmum]

Sending lots of love to your nana for a speedy recovery, and to you and your family... My dad had quite a few strokes bless him the first stroke he had we actually thought he was drunk 😳😢 so didn't act straight away... I am going back now about 25+ years and it wasn't really talked about as much as it is now with advertising campaigns and such. My friend is a specialist stroke nurse and the unit she works on does amazing work and offers plenty of aftercare too. Lots of love xx

[Animagus]

Bless you for posting this. Hope your nanna makes a full recovery. So lucky you were there to support your grandad and get help. Sending hugs.

[danisleigh]

Sorry to hear about your Nan and I hope she makes a full recovery.

I did a first aid course this week and we were taught that if anyone exhibits any one of those three signs we should call 999 so it’s worth people knowing that like your Nan they may not have all of the symptoms x