ON JUNE 3, 2017, MY LIFE CHANGED FOREVER
This date marks the beginning of my story. Although the stroke happened to my partner, Marc, I feel it is important to share my experience as a caregiver. Why? My answer is simple: I believe caregivers need care too.
You've landed here because you're likely seeking answers to the same questions I had after Marc's stroke. It is my hope that this website becomes your guide, as a caregiver, to Surviving A Stroke. Welcome, I'm so glad you're here.
New to the blogosphere and excited to be here
This is my first time blogging, so I hope you will forgive my learning curve. Why am I blogging? Well, when my partner Marc and I reflect on his stroke, we ALWAYS discuss how we wish we could help others navigate their live's post-stroke. We wish to share what we're learning about the health care system, the kinds of treatments available, and most importantly the types of support each of us needs to help face our new normal.
Sharing my story, as Marc's caregiver has been a long time coming. To say the least, I have a lot of information that I hope you will find useful, as you begin the journey to rebuild your life post-stroke. My blog is a work in progress, so check it frequently, and like my Facebook page to keep up to date. I hope you send us LOADS of comments and questions because sharing is caring.
ABOUT US
Meet, Marc the strong, sensitive type, and me, Susan, the determined, resourceful one.
Together, we make quite the pair, who, despite the stroke, still join together over our love for adventure -- a mutual love
that brought us together in the first place.
A little bit about us
Marc is 65, and I am turning 60. When we met online back in March of 2014, we were both divorced, and looking for companionship like many others. Now, I won't say it was love at first sight, but there was definite chemistry. The more time we spent together, the more we realized we shared a love of travel and wanted to see and do so many of the same things! One was the Camino de Santiago, an 800km pilgrimage hike through Northern Spain. After one year of training, we did it!!!
At the time we met, I was renting a house and Marc was living in a carriage house. When discussing moving in together, we decided his place was too small, but Marc had a rental property he owned with a friend. Long story short, I brought out this friend, we gave the renters noticed and moved in together. We spent 10 months renovating and planning and attending my daughters' wedding. The significance of this story is that we survived... and if we can survive a renovation and wedding, we knew we could survive anything!
MARC'S STROKE
The following is a play by play of the events leading up to Marc's stroke...
Phase One
Friday,
June 2, 2017
1 am
We had just returned home from a fantastic month-long holiday in France. We were recovering from jetlag, unpacking, and scrolling through our countless photos... attempting to relive some of our fondest memories. It was early morning on Friday, June 2, 2017, when Marc woke me up complaining of chest pains. Of course, we were both worried about him suffering from a heart attack, so we rushed to the ER. He was checked for a heart attack, only to be given a clean bill of health, and some Tylenol#3's. Reassured but still unsettled we headed home, and we both did our best to get some rest.
Phase Two
Friday,
June 2, 2017
7 am
Marc did not sleep well and was still suffering bad chest pains. We were back at the ER by 7 am, and after 11 hours of waiting, tests, and more waiting, we left after Marc was diagnosed with diverticulitis. In short, diverticulitis inflammation of abnormal pouches—diverticula—which can develop in the wall of the large intestine. We were advised to see his family doctor.
Phase Three
Saturday,
June 3, 2017
12 pm
The next morning, Marc had an early meeting. Me, still suffering from jet lag and exhausted from all of the above, stayed tucked in bed. After Marc's meeting, he crawled in next to me and fell asleep. Marc is a tummy sleeper, and I was awoken to him frantically rubbing his face side to side in his pillow. Initially, annoyed, I let out a sigh hoping he'd stop, but as he persisted, and said nothing, I realized something was wrong. Very wrong. As I said, on June 3, 2017, my life changed forever... and it's finally time, to share my story.
LATEST ON THE BLOG
For the full story, please follow along on my blog. I will be updating frequently.
Don't want to miss a post? Be sure to like my Facebook Page for updates.
RESOURCES
Remember sharing is caring. If you find these resources to be useful, please share with your family and friends, so that they are able to further support your journey as a caregiver.
CONTACT US
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
Please connect.
Marc and I would love to hear from you!
British Columbia, Canada