Stroke Survivor: Female, 23 / Caregiver: Male, Boyfriend

Stroke Survivor

  • Gender: Female

  • Age(s) when stroke occured: 23

  • Occupation before stroke(s): Nanny

  • Stroke date(s): August 9, 2013

  • Stroke(s) occurred where: At home in the shower.

  • Type of stroke(s): Ischemic

  • tPA drug: No, not within timeframe

  • Scans: MRI -magnetic resonance imaging, CT -computerized tomography & X-Ray

  • Location of stroke(s): Right side brain.

  • Reason for stroke(s): Mutated MTHFR gene (the mutation affects the body's ability to use folic acid or folate & increases risk of disease)

  • Stroke(s) surgery(s): None.

  • Hospital stay: 6 weeks.

  • Rehabilitation stay: 6 weeks inpatient ICU therapy.

  • Deficits from stroke(s): Left side paralysis, hypersensitivity on left side.

  • Initial dominant-side: Right

  • Dominant-side now: Right

  • Short story: I went drinking the night before. Took a shower and seized reaching for conditioner and ended up on the bottom of the tub having seizures and a stroke. My son woke my roommate, who then called for paramedics. I was 23.

Caregiver

  • How did you find out: Roommate called.

  • Where were you: Work.

  • Initial reaction: Sad and worried.

  • Feelings at ER: Scared.

  • Feelings before/after surgery(s): No surgery.

  • Short story: We'd been together 6 months when my girlfriend had her stroke and I had to work and couldn't care for her at all times so she had to go to her dad's until she got okay enough to be alone during the day.

Stroke StoryKatie Burkestroke female, stroke, No tPA, Right side brain, left side paralysis, hypersensitivityComment