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A story first.
13 April 2017 on a Thursday before the Good Friday I completed ward rounds and headed home.
I stopped at the local Mugg ‘n Bean to grab coffee and thought it would be so nice to have coffee with the husband.
13 April 2017 on a Thursday before the Good Friday I completed ward rounds and headed home.
I stopped at the local Mugg ‘n Bean to grab coffee and thought it would be so nice to have coffee with the husband.
I called him and phone was answered by anaethetist and I 
because that meant coffee by myself.
I was in second trimester with our last child- that fatigue was still there and I headed home.
I asked that he stops by local grocery store after work to get us some stuff.
because that meant coffee by myself.I was in second trimester with our last child- that fatigue was still there and I headed home.
I asked that he stops by local grocery store after work to get us some stuff.
He called when he was done and wanted the list. I insisted he comes to the store near our home and call me when there.
Something was unusual about the week. I sense things deeply and I had been feeling something coming for about a week.
Something was unusual about the week. I sense things deeply and I had been feeling something coming for about a week.
He called to tell me he had arrived at the store- I then sent the list.
My phone rang- it was him but he didn’t speak. I thought pocket dialed.
This happened about three times and then it was silence.
He called again about 15 minutes later after we spoke.
My phone rang- it was him but he didn’t speak. I thought pocket dialed.
This happened about three times and then it was silence.
He called again about 15 minutes later after we spoke.
This time around someone spoke and it wasn’t him.
Our lives changed in that instance.
The catastrophe that had been coming had arrived but thank whatever power, I called for the catastrophe to come closer.
Our lives changed in that instance.
The catastrophe that had been coming had arrived but thank whatever power, I called for the catastrophe to come closer.
Person on the other side was a doctor of a health centre near the store.
My husband had collapsed and he could not speak. She thought it was a stroke.
The catastrophe had a name and I knew where to find it.
My husband had collapsed and he could not speak. She thought it was a stroke.
The catastrophe had a name and I knew where to find it.
I put on slippers and got into my car.
5-7minutes I was there and I saw the picture that I have been trying to erase from my head for three years.
I went into ‘action mode’: Dr Mfundisi was activated. I knew this was a stroke and there was no TIME.
5-7minutes I was there and I saw the picture that I have been trying to erase from my head for three years.
I went into ‘action mode’: Dr Mfundisi was activated. I knew this was a stroke and there was no TIME.
I called a colleague in case it’s a bleed- ‘Please stand by, you may have to operate on my husband!’
Another colleague: please get ready to do scan- my husband had a stroke.
Ambulance wanted to take him elsewhere- I asked that they take him to Busamed Modderfontein.
Another colleague: please get ready to do scan- my husband had a stroke.
Ambulance wanted to take him elsewhere- I asked that they take him to Busamed Modderfontein.
They told me this and that about radius and medical aid- I was not taking any chances- it was that or nothing.
At Busamed he arrived and was examined but the colleague who was on was not convinced and I understand why.
At Busamed he arrived and was examined but the colleague who was on was not convinced and I understand why.
You see, my husband had no risk factor- he was 38, we ran together and he did half marathons but we trained together for my marathons.
He was not a classical candidate.
But I knew we had to act FAST or lose TIME.
I knew that TIME IS BRAIN.
He was not a classical candidate.
But I knew we had to act FAST or lose TIME.
I knew that TIME IS BRAIN.
He was taken to CT scan and the scan looked ‘normal’
In my mind- the scan was just to exclude a bleed so we can take next steps. After viewing the scan I returned to his side in casualty and I found him vomiting. I KNEW!
Fortunately the senior covering casualty agreed with me
In my mind- the scan was just to exclude a bleed so we can take next steps. After viewing the scan I returned to his side in casualty and I found him vomiting. I KNEW!
Fortunately the senior covering casualty agreed with me
Now, I may miss other things like jaundice but NEURO yona- I know it.
I understand it well.
It was just over an hour since the collapse- I was watching the clock because TIME.
I understand it well.
It was just over an hour since the collapse- I was watching the clock because TIME.
His FACE (F) was drooping or skewed. His right ARM(A) weak and he had NO SPEECH (S).
He needed treatment FAST because Brain is TIME (T).
FAST
He needed treatment FAST because Brain is TIME (T).
FAST
He was given medicine to dissolve the clot within 2 hours from onset and that was everything!!!
He was transferred to ICU- by this time my brother had arrived, my sister-in-law and her husband were there.
Then I could break down and went into messy crying!
He was transferred to ICU- by this time my brother had arrived, my sister-in-law and her husband were there.
Then I could break down and went into messy crying!
I stayed with him during that night. By the morning his leg was moving.
I went home to shower and returned to find my physio colleague and dear friend Lonwabo commencing treatment. TIME is everything.
I went home to shower and returned to find my physio colleague and dear friend Lonwabo commencing treatment. TIME is everything.
Our story had so many positives and what I knew averted a full catastrophe.
It was the beginning of a difficult journey and the support we received was everything.
This tweet was prompted by some people who DM’ed me asking me about stroke.
It was the beginning of a difficult journey and the support we received was everything.
This tweet was prompted by some people who DM’ed me asking me about stroke.
I never shared this personal story with them.
It is not easy to share it quite honestly but if it will save somebody- well who am I to want some privacy.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO ACT FAST.
From family to treating team.
It is not easy to share it quite honestly but if it will save somebody- well who am I to want some privacy.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO ACT FAST.
From family to treating team.
The journey doesn’t end after the discharge from hospital.
When I am ready- I will share that as well.
But what are the odds: I had to deal with a stroke at home. No protection by ignorance of disease- I had to stare it in the eye right away!
When I am ready- I will share that as well.
But what are the odds: I had to deal with a stroke at home. No protection by ignorance of disease- I had to stare it in the eye right away!
I acknowledge my priviledge of having an intense intuition, of being a medic, of having access to private care without concern for cost and just sheer luck.
That disease is expensive.
It is VERY EXPENSIVE.
That disease is expensive.
It is VERY EXPENSIVE.
