Stroke week highlights risk factors

One minute Cooloongup resident Sandra Hooper was unpacking her groceries, the next she was on the floor and unaware she had just suffered a stroke.

In the space of just two months the 75-year-old has made a remarkable recovery with the help from the team at Rockingham General Hospital.

In time for National Stroke Week this week, Mrs Hooper shares her story with theTelegraph .

“After I collapsed I came to and managed to drag myself into the lounge room where I waited several hours for my daughter to arrive for her scheduled visit,” she said.

“Even after she called an ambulance I still didn’t realise what had happened.

“It was not until several weeks later that I realised it was a stroke.”

Mrs Hooper lost mobility in the right side of her body and was unable to speak and eat or drink.

For almost five weeks she was fed through a tube and had trouble swallowing her own saliva.

“Although I begrudged the attention, I had so many people helping me including a speech pathologist, dietitian, occupational therapist and physiotherapist,” she said. “I wanted to get better but I didn’t like all the fuss.”

Mrs Hooper built up her strength and endurance and began eating and drinking on her own.

She used a communication board at first until she regained her speech.

Speech therapist Marianne Versis said Mrs Hooper was very motivated and had wonderful support from her daughter.

“Everything has improved, even her vision which was neglected on one side,” she said.

“She is now walking with the aid of a stick and will be able to go home for a visit this week.”

Dietitian Emily Harris said Mrs Hooper had retained her sense of humour through her time in hospital which had been a great help.

“Prevention is important and although Sandra’s stroke came on without any warning signs, there are some changes you can make at home,” she said.

“Reducing salt intake in your diet and taking part in regular exercise are just some of the preventative measures.”

Mrs Hooper said she was looking forward to going home in what she hoped would be a few weeks.

“I made my first cuppa on my own the other day,” she said.

National Stroke Week is the Stroke Foundation’s annual awareness campaign which aims to help Australians understand the impact time has on a stroke.

See more at: strokefoundation.com.au/About-Stroke/Stroke-symptoms.