Stroke does not mean end of good life

Warren Palmer is grateful for his quality of life - a quality which has allowed him to experience both sadness over the death of a much loved pet dog and the joy of a granddaughter's birth.

"The neurologist at the very start wondered what sort of quality of life I would get. I'm definitely getting one."

Mr Palmer said he would never have been able to experience joy or sorrow if he had "succumbed to stroke" two and a-half years ago.

He proudly shows a photo of his 1-year-old granddaughter Miki, whom he has been to visit at her home in Wellington.

She is the daughter of his journalist daughter Rebecca and her husband Koichi Inoue.

He says it is a race to see who will walk first, but he concedes Miki is likely to win the contest for unaided walking.

His walking has improved to the point where he can make short trips within his house, using a walking frame, with minimal assistance.

He is looking forward to resuming his interest in gardening, by using specially designed raised beds, and to becoming a "chicken farmer" when three hens take roost on his property soon.

He wants to grow vegetables, particularly unusual ones such as salsify, which he describes as an "oyster-tasting plant". He laughs when wife Loas suggests this might provide the "perfect excuse" for him to get handy in the kitchen, something she says has never been one of his strong points.

On January 26, 2008, when the then 55-year-old Mr Palmer, a senior mathematics and statistics teaching fellow at the University of Otago, was halfway through teaching a course at Summer School, he had a stroke.

This resulted in him later having "locked-in syndrome", a condition in which he was paralysed, but with his hearing intact.

He was initially able to communicate only with his eyes, blinking yes or no answers to questions, before moving on to more sophisticated blinking communication and then, once he gained some movement in his left hand, by using a computer.

It was two months before he spoke.

Those working with Mr Palmer have been amazed by his determination and progress.

He agrees mental strength has been crucial.

He gives the example of one sleepless night during his time at the Isis rehabilitation centre, at Wakari Hospital, when he spent the whole night trying to get his left hand to his face.

"It took all night and eventually I touched my fingers to my mouth."

Another important aspect of his recovery has been his positive attitude, being able to focus on achieving small goals, and being able to laugh.

He is still grateful for a nurse called Mike, who "got me laughing again in A and E when he told a stupid joke". (Neither he nor Mrs Palmer remember the specifics of it.) Laughing has also been a physical aid to recovery, helping to build up muscles and his cough reflex.

His speech has improved considerably, but he continues to work on it.

He says he does homework every morning, something he does not begrudge.

"I spent so many years telling kids to do homework, it is only fair I have some to do."

Other progress includes being able to eat "real food", using a manual wheelchair most of the time, rather than an electric one, and regular swimming at the Otago Therapeutic Pool to improve his fitness.

While he is no longer a teaching fellow at the university, he still compiles questions for the National Bank annual junior mathematics competition for years 9, 10 and 11 pupils, marks some of the 8000 papers and check marks the top papers.

The paper contains five questions which all entrants attempt and they are designed to test the mettle of top maths pupils, with marks given for partial solutions and evidence of serious attempts to tackle problems.

There have been some setbacks - a trip to hospital for treatment for a stomach ulcer and botox treatment for spasms in his weak right leg.

He readily acknowledges the importance of his carers and the vital support of Mrs Palmer.

He says how lucky people are to have the ISIS centre where all the health professionals who support stroke survivors are able to work together.

"The advantage of having a stroke is I have met such wonderful people. Some of them will be friends for life."

He is worried the Isis centre may be lost should neurosurgery be removed from Dunedin and took part in the recent march supporting the retention of the service.

He would like more attention paid to stroke awareness and treatment.

He estimates there are seven deaths from stroke each day.

"I think if that happened on the roads, the Government would throw a fit."

Mr Palmer remains an avid writer, having completed 700 limericks.

He admits not all of them are good, but says they help keep his brain active.

He has also written a 115,000-word account of his story, and there may be in a message in the fact that every time he thinks it is finished, he finds something more to add.

A concert, with the proceeds going to the younger stroke network in Dunedin, is being held in St Paul's Cathedral at 2pm on Sunday, September 12.

The symptoms: How do you recognise stroke symptoms?

Remember:
F-ace: Has it drooped?
A-rm: Is one arm weaker?
S-peech: Is it slurred, jumbled?
T-ime: Act fast, dial 111

Limerick

There was a man who had a stroke,
He envied those "ordinary" folk,
His dear wife was there,
And she did seem to care,
He still makes a very bad joke.