Thank you for visiting behindthegray.net. We are an online support community for those whose lives or relatives/friends have been affected by a subarachnoid haemorrhage or stroke. Our aim is to offer friendship, support and a place where you can share your highs and lows. We are not qualified to give medical advice, but hope that you can benefit from our own experiences and those of our families. Membership is free and we hope that you will join us and share your own experiences.
“During my own recovery, I have found the support of others who have been affected by a SAH/Stroke to have been a great comfort. To be able to communicate with fellow sufferers and share experiences is of paramount importance and a great aid to recovery.”
Joining an online support group can often be an excellent way of coping with your illness. If you are experiencing difficulties after suffering from a SAH/Stroke and have difficulty leaving your home, an online community can often be one of the greatest first steps in coping. You can maintain your anonymity which helps many become more candid about their feelings, fears and frustrations. You may also learn information and tips that you might not have been aware of about your illness.
Dee Woods SAH Story
Written by Dee Woods
My story starts on the morning of Sept 27th 2008 I had just started a cycle ride known as the tour of dartmoor 100 mls of real challenging cycling. I had not slept at all the night before, but this was not unusual, because I get excited about the challenge of staying on a bike for upto 8hrs.
After a couple of miles, we hit our first steep uphill climb, so steep some riders had to walk part of the way. I was feeling pretty good but it was very hot. After a while, as I was riding through a lovely village called Widdicombe- in the- moor as I reached the next steep climb I got up out of my seat to get more power and thought that I had just been hit on the back of my head with a big hammer.
I managed to scramble off of my bike and sat at the side of the road with my head in my hands trying to rub the headache away. I didn't think any thing was wrong other than a bad headache. After a while the headache didn't go away, but I heard a clip clop, clip, clop, noise and a voice saying "are you ok?" I managed to lift my head and saw a woman on a horse. I said "I am fine, other than a real bad headache" She then said "are you sure you have been drinking enough, I am not being nosey but I am a doctor?" .......
My Name is Keith Henman. Born on the 6th of August 1958. I'm married to Lesley with a thirteen (going on twenty) year old daughter called Zoe. Now living in Holme-Upon-Spalding-Moor, East Yorkshire.
The Day Of My Stroke
It was Monday 23rd March 1998 about 1930 hrs. I was just about to bath my daughter when I felt a little strange, then all of a sudden I couldn’t move my left side, so after managing to drag myself to the bedroom, I phoned for the ambulance myself. I called out for my daughter, (she was 3½ then) and by the tone of my voice she sensed there was something wrong. My wife was out that night with the girls.
So there I was, stuck on the bed, waiting and wondering what had happened. About the same time as the ambulance arrived, my wife returned. It felt like ages before they arrived, but now I know it was only about 10-15 minutes. So there I was strapped to a board (lucky I wasn’t carrying myself) being lowered down the stairs, and off to hospital - the Gloucester Royal - within a few minutes. In a very short space of time we had to arrange a child minder, and for someone to come with my wife to the hospital. I was being pushed and pulled by anybody who came past, and after about an hour, somebody said I could go home and come back in the morning. It was then that my wife (not very politely) asked if anybody thought it was a bit odd that someone who came in partially paralysed should be sent home, and told to come back tomorrow. In the comments that passed over the next few minutes, a young doctor intervened, asking what’s going on. It didn’t take long for this doctor to realise that further investigations needed to be carried out.
Then it was a quick trip from Gloucester to Bristol. I had suffered a massive bleed. I was in Frenchay hospital, miles from home and my wife and her friend were now driving down the motorway. I won't go into detail about what happened in the next week, I can’t remember much anyway. Then it was back to Gloucester Royal for what turned out to be 15½ weeks; a very long time for anybody. In that time my wife only missed four days visiting. It was hard for her, and for my daughter too.
“During my own recovery, I have found the support of others who have been affected by a SAH/Stroke to have been a great comfort. To be able to communicate with fellow sufferers and share experiences is of paramount importance and a great aid to recovery.”
My Name is Keith Henman. Born on the 6th of August 1958. I'm married to Lesley with a thirteen (going on twenty) year old daughter called Zoe. Now living in Holme-Upon-Spalding-Moor, East Yorkshire.
