The outcome after my stroke would quite literally not have been the same without the NHS.

The paramedics arrived in barely no time, they didn’t question that I needed to go to a&e & as soon as I had the stroke in hospital I was bluelighted to LGI.

I was in surgery within 3.5 hrs of having the stroke in hospital, about 6 hrs after my first TIA and 1.5 hrs after arriving at LGI.

The speed at which they moved is more than likely the reason I have come through this fairly “well” I guess you could say.

Physically I am good, mentally – it will take some time.

NHS staff, whatever role they have are quite literally angels – they saved my life and I am so grateful to them and for the NHS – I’ll never be able to thank them!

From the surgeon who operated on me, to the doctors & nurses, to the cleaners, to the staff who brought round food, the physios and the OT’s. All these people played a part in my time at hospital.

Covid-19

Please, please spare a thought for these people who are saving lives every day.

We have no choice about going out anywhere now and this measure has been taken because people still are and the virus is still spreading fast.

People aren’t taking it seriously and the strain is real.

Why are we not taking it seriously? And why are we not helping our country, friends and family, and the NHS by staying in?

A lot of people are scared, they’re losing their jobs, their kids aren’t in school, parents are having to learn overnight how to school their children, bars, gyms, restaurants all now closed.

The government are trying to get a grip on this disease so please please help them by not meeting up in big groups, even if it’s at someone’s house, everyone is still at risk.

Life still goes on, people will still be having heart attacks, strokes, car accidents and we need to help by trying to not spread Covid-19 as rapidly as it is.

PLEASE ACT RESPONSIBLY!

Help reduce the number of cases, if you live somewhere where cases aren’t as high, don’t think you’re invincible.

We can do this, but we have to work together!

I’ve already kind of had 2 months of self-isolation. Yes I had a few visitors and I’m so grateful to the people I managed to see. I managed to keep myself busy and not quite go insane.

My life was turned upside down in 24 hrs, just as everyone else’s is now. I’m a fit and healthy person, I exercise, I work, I socialise and that all had to stop in a split second – and I haven’t got any of that back yet and it’s going to be a longer process.

Yes, we need to adapt to a different way of life and yes, people have lost their jobs and will have to work out another route for their lives and it will be tough. But we can get through it working together!

Things I did to keep busy;

• Colouring in – sounds daft but it’s very relaxing and theraputic.
• I’m learning to cross-stitch.
• I did my physio exercises for my hand.
• I went for a walk pretty much every day to get fresh air as it’s good for the mind.
• I have about 5 books to read which I was given by friends.
• Netflix/TV even if you just watch an hr or so a day.
• Social media
• Writing in my diary every day.

I hope the measures in place do work, it will take time and we need to be patient and all adapt to our new lives for the time being, but remember we will bounce back!

In the book I’m reading I’m on a chapter called “Courage”. I literally just read the first quote;

When the waves of an ordeal roll in, do not act out of desperation. Instead, go to a peaceful place and dwell on the silence within yourself. When your mind touches its deep silence, you realise that you have enough inner strength and wisdom to go through with this.

If people are still organising group events, remember, you don’t have to go, it is okay to say no.

It will be hard to stay positive, but lets try new things, get fresh air, learn a new skill and be kind to each other.

We help ourselves, we help each other…

When we become kinder to ourselves, we can become kinder to the world.

Stay safe, Be sensible and mindful of your actions. 💜💜💜