Sue's Story
Sue, aged 75, from Llangollen began experiencing symptoms of reduced coordination and left sided weakness in December 2024. The following day when at lunch with her friends, they noticed she was acting out of character as she was struggling to use her fork, knocked over her latte, and appeared vacant at times. Sue was taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital, where she had a CT head scan which showed she had suffered a right sided multifocal stroke caused by a blood clot. Sue was then transferred to the Stroke Specialist Inpatient Rehabilitation (SSIR) Unit at Deeside Community Hospital for ongoing rehabilitation and support in her recovery to adapting to life after her stroke.
The SSIR unit provides rehabilitation to patients through a team of stroke specialist staff, including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Dieticians, Technical Instructors and Assistants, Multi-professional Rehabilitation Assistants, Nurses, Health Care Support Workers, Pharmacists, and Discharge Co-ordinators. The unit is led by a Consultant Stroke Therapist. A Medical Stroke Consultant also conducts a weekly medical review.
When Sue first arrived on the SSIR Unit, her stroke had significantly affected her left visual field. She presented with reduced coordination, and mildly reduced power on her left side. She required the assistance of two staff members when transferring and she could not mobilise. Sue appeared confused and disorientated at times and also had a mild difficulty in word finding.
Within physiotherapy sessions, Sue was able to practice mobilising with staff to improve her balance and improve the co-ordination of her left upper limb. She was encouraged to scan to her left to increase her safety awareness on that side. Sue was able to progress to mobilising with a four-wheeled walker and then to using a quad stick with assistance of staff. Through further practice, Sue was then able to progress to be mobile with supervision and no aids during the day and night.
Sue said: "To get from a hoist to walking again – I never thought I would".
In the occupational therapy sessions, Sue was able to practice completing functional tasks, such as making a hot drink and snack in the kitchen, and personal activities of daily living, such as washing and dressing practice. During these sessions, Sue practiced planning and sequencing of tasks, scanning to her left side, and coordinating her left upper limb. Due to Sue’s inattention to her left side, she required the assistance of one person during functional tasks to help reinforce her safety awareness. Sue also attended a weekly baking group which she enjoyed.
She said: "I felt safe in sessions – I enjoyed the cooking which was a surprise as I never bake".
Sue attended other groups while on SSIR Unit, including Boccia group as part of physiotherapy and Cognitive Communication Group, to practice cognitive skills in a group setting through tasks and exercises. Sue engaged well within all groups, and enjoyed the opportunity to socialise with other group members. She also attended music therapy which she thoroughly enjoyed.
By the end of her stay on SSIR Unit, alongside progressing to be mobile with supervision and no aids during the day, Sue made some improvements in functional tasks also. Sue continued to have difficulty with left sided neglect, which worsens when fatigued or multi-tasking. She therefore still required assistance of one person for awareness and safety in tasks.
When reflecting on her time on SSIR Unit, Sue described the staff as "very, very supportive" and said there were "lots of things in place to support my recovery, I really enjoyed my time there – I made friends".
On behalf of the SSIR Team, we all wish her the best in her recovery and hope she meets her personal goal which is to return to dance once a week in strictly fun dancing classes.