Stroke Recovery – A Journey from Hospital to Home

On March 11, 2022, Benjamin (Ben) Andrews survived a stroke while at home.

“It was around 3pm. I had just woken up from a nap and was watching TV. While sitting there I noticed I was having difficulty using my phone and it became harder to speak. I didn’t know what was happening” says Ben.

Despite being knowledgeable of the signs of stroke and the FAST acronym, Ben’s mind clouded in the moment and was unable to process the full extent of what was happening.

“If I could go back I would call the ambulance sooner. I couldn’t really operate my phone but those few hours could have made a difference” says Ben.

Every second counts in a medical emergency – especially when it comes to stroke. Every minute 1.9 million brain cells die when a blood clot or a ruptured vessel cuts off the blood flow to the brain. It’s important to call 9-1-1 immediately, so that the paramedics can take you to a hospital that can provide life-saving treatments and reduce disability.

In Ben’s case, he did not end up going to the hospital until the next day when his brother in law “saved the day” and called 9-1-1. He had carotid surgery, multiple scans, tests and speech therapy while in the hospital. After being discharged he had follow up appointments with his doctor, surgeon and at the Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic at the Brantford General Hospital.

“I was very fortunate to have amazing people involved in my stroke care. While at the hospital I got to meet many doctors, nurses, surgeons and even another patient experiencing a stroke. After leaving the hospital I moved in with my sister and brother in law and ongoing speech therapy has been very helpful throughout my recovery” says Ben.

After Ben was discharged he was contacted by the community stroke rehab team to provide therapy while at home. Their experience in stroke allows them to link stroke patients with ongoing supports in the community and maximize the person’s recovery after therapy has ended.

“As an SLP my job is to reduce barriers and support communication as patient’s transition through their stroke recovery journey. It’s important to remember that recovery continues long after the initial stroke incident. It affects everyone differently and can be very isolating without support” shares Kailyn Gadsby, SLP at CBI Health.

After surviving a stroke, Ben experienced aphasia – a language disorder caused by the brain being damaged in a specific area. This damage effects a person’s ability to communicate with others and can reduce their language expression and comprehension. While 1 in 3 stroke survivors have aphasia it is important to remember that aphasia is a loss of language not intelligence.

“You wouldn’t know that I’ve had a stroke unless you talk to me. I have speech therapy three times a week and have to complete speech homework and practice my communication every day” says Ben.

Reflecting on his recovery journey so far Ben shares that there were days where he felt alone and overwhelmed.

“I didn’t always have a clear understanding about stroke and aphasia and the resources that were available to me. As I continue to navigate through my recovery I hope to get involved in more community support, specifically with the Adult Recreation Therapy Centre Aphasia Programs” says Ben.

Kailyn shares “throughout my experience, stroke patients often feel overwhelmed when transitioning throughout their continuum of care. They struggle with the loss of their independence and find it frustrating to have to re-establish relationships and day to day conversation strategies.”

“I hope that Stroke Month promotes stroke awareness within the community. It takes time to understand the extent of stroke and all of the aspects that go into care. I’m very thankful for everyone who supported me so far on my recovery” says Ben.

This stroke month we encourage others to share the message that minutes matter. If you or your loved one is unsure whether you are experiencing stroke symptoms please call 9-1-1 right away.

Stroke recovery can be a lengthy journey and requires an integrated system of supports and resources from hospital to community. If you or a loved one has experienced a stroke, reach out to a health professional in your community that can link you to services specific to your stroke recovery needs.

Other Resources:

• Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS) – Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand, Brant

#StrokeAwarenessMonth #AphasiaAwarenessMonth

Pictured: Benjamin Andrews (left) with his son Chris Andrews (right).