Mr Bhawarlal Surana, 69 from Mumbai had a brain stroke at work. Fortunately he spotted the signs and acted fast. He shares the challenges he faced post-stroke and his mantra for a strong recovery.
Please tell us a bit about your condition.
I am a Stroke survivor of 11 years. I had a stroke in November 2010. I was 58 years old then.
What were the early symptoms? What made you go to a doctor?
It was a regular day that I started by waking up at 5 am and going for my walk at Five Gardens near my home. After my walk, I played badminton as I do most mornings and came home. This takes up 2 hours of my time every morning. At 11am, I went to work. I own a Foreign exchange shop. I was talking to a customer when suddenly I realized my tongue was lagging and not moving like it should. I called home and told my wife and asked my son to come to the shop immediately. In the mean time, I walked back home and decided to see the Cardiologist who lives in my building. At home, I met my wife who noticed that my speech was slurred and face had gone crooked and we went to meet the Cardiologist. He asked me to come to his nursing home and get a full check-up done. However, my other son insisted we go straight to a hospital. 10 minutes later, we were at a reputed private hospital and getting checked up. By this time, my speech had worsened and I was beginning to get a splitting headache. I remember being admitted and then going unconscious at some time. Later that day, the Neurologist at the hospital informed us that there was a hemorrhage inside the brain and it need to be drained immediately. I was operated on that same night. I was left paralysed on my left side due to a Brain Stroke.
What was your reaction to the incident?
I didn’t know what was happening to me. Within 30-40 minutes from time of onset to reaching the hospital, my body had undergone severe change. I have always been an active and health conscious person with no major chronic illnesses. I was on one Blood Pressure medication that I used to take daily. I always follow a special diet of healthy foods at home. As a business owner, I was working daily, so this came out of nowhere.
Do you think getting to the hospital on time helped?
Yes definitely, I think it could have been a lot worse if there had been any further delays in getting to the hospital. We did spend some time going to the local doctor but luckily the decision to go to the hospital was taken on time by my son. He knew that there is a golden hour for such emergencies and acted fast. What also helped was that the hospital was close by and we did not have to travel too far. From when my symptoms first started to when we reached the hospital, it took about 40 minutes.
What happened next? (Specialist referral, course of treatment etc.)
After the operation, I was in ICU for 10-11 days. I am told I was on a ventilator and unconscious for most of that time. Then I was moved to the Cardiac ward when I continued to stay for another month. When I tried to talk, no one could understand me at all. I could see my entire face had changed. I could not get out of bed as my left leg and arm were totally numb. Then a Physiotherapist from Neurology Foundation came and started helping me do some arm movements while in a wheelchair. I would have to do these daily. Later a speech therapist came and started me on simple tasks like blowing a balloon, saying the vowels “a,e,i,o,u” loudly and opening up my jaw as much as possible. Chewing exercises also helped in eating and strengthening the muscles.
What is your present condition? Are any other complications you experience?
I am keeping well and not had another stroke since then.
I do find it difficult to sit and get up from a soft sofa, so I prefer chairs.
I have swelling on my foot but that may also be due to less movement and I do love my food.
Hearing has decreased but mostly due to age.
After my hip surgery, I had a seizure one time. I was put on medications for it but since then, there has been no recurrence.
Have you tried complementary therapies?
I do my “om” chanting and prayer mantras as my daily routine.
What medications are you currently on?
I am taking a handful of medicines daily. These are for my blood pressure, cholesterol, epilepsy, and to prevent blood clots and stroke.
Were there any side-effects of the medicines? If yes, how do you manage them?
No
What kind of specialists (including Physio/ Occupational therapist/ Psychiatrist etc.) do you consult and how often?
My Neurologist has said that whatever functions (on my paralysed side) resumed within the first 6-12 months would be, to a significant extent, what I would have for life. So that initial physiotherapy was very important but rehab had to continue for life.
After the stroke, I had a Physiotherapist come home 5 times a week to help me do my exercises. My sons, daughter-in-law and my wife would encourage me to do things on my own around the house. Then the Neurology Foundation suggested I attend their group sessions. I started those and found myself enjoying them a lot. I made new friends and the sessions were full of fun activities and games. When the session stopped in the lockdown, I continued my exercises at home with the help of my wife.
We saw a few physiotherapists and some had their own method of doing things. There were differing opinions on things like walking with or without a stick, whether to do massage or not and if exercises are to be done while standing or lying down.
One acupuncture specialist suggested not to use stick while walking and to balance using the strength of the mind. However, my Neurologist insisted I use a walking stick. This had created confusion but now I do both, as in I walk without stick at home, but always use the stick when out.
Do you have a family history of this condition?
No
How did you mentally/emotionally cope with it all? Pls mention any specific times and issues that were difficult.
Initially I used to get frustrated when results would not happen and I had to keep repeating simple actions. I feel that my personality has changed, and I am more patient especially after my last fall. I wait for someone to walk alongside and don’t go out on my own.
My strong willpower and motivation have kept me going. I set goals and wait for improvement and keep trying. I do my exercises whenever I am sitting around idle.
When did you break the news to your family, friends and distant relatives? How did they take it?
We did tell people because we were also seeking guidance at the time on how to deal with things. Everyone has been supportive.
How has your family supported you? Who has been your biggest support/companion through it all?
My wife is involved in my day-to-day care. It is a teamwork with my wife, son and my daughter-in-law who look after all my needs. They helped me fight back and inspired me to do the best out of my life.
How do you cope at work? (please mention physical and emotional challenges)
I do go and spend time at my shop every now and then. I am unable to do transactions on my own, but I can do the calculations and keep abreast of the daily currency and gold rates etc.
What were some of the challenges you faced? What changes have you and your spouse made to your lifestyles because of this condition?
Balance has been my biggest long-term effect with the Stroke. Most of my other functions slowly came back with some impairment but I’m not completely able to go out on my own even now. In addition, I have had two falls now. My first fall was nothing serious but when I fell the second time, I had a bad hip fracture. Major surgery with screws and rods had to happen. I need a stick to walk and also wear customized shoe pads. When I have to use the bathroom, I sit on a chair to shower and have rods installed so I can get up on my own. My wife makes sure the bathroom floor is wiped dry to prevent any slips.
Do you worry about for the future?
I just want a good future for my kids. I have now come to full acceptance with my condition and want to spend my days in peace.
What is your advice to stroke patients who face similar challenges?
My advice would be to get your check-ups done regularly and take your medications on time. For me dedicated physiotherapy, walk and exercises at home were most helpful. For mental health, meditation kept me calm and focused. Offering prayers gave me spiritual power and feeling of gratitude which healed me emotionally.
