Gerry McInerney

I am a stroke and heart attack survivor. 

 

My problems started out in 1997 when I underwent a major bladder and bowel operation.  In 200I/2 I had both my hands/ wrists operated on (6) months apart and lost the part power of both hands after an industrial accident, I also needed surgery to my disk in my back from the same accident in 2003.
 
In July 2004, I reported to my GP at the time that I had pain in my chest and arm, he handed me a letter for the Cardiologist in my local hospital.  I would have been waiting for approximately 6 to 9 months to get checked even though my GP knew that there was a family history of heart conditions because both my Father and Mother died suddenly of heart attacks.

I informed my GP that I was about to take a flight to Portmarnock in Scotland three weeks later, and asked if it was safe and he said it would be fine. That first night in Portmarnock I suffered more chest and arm pain and my friend, who I was visiting, asked me to report to the local hospital next morning if the pain started again.   And sure enough the next morning at breakfast it started up again only this time it was more severe.  I decided to go to the hospital for a check up so I could then go and enjoy my holiday.

 

When I reached the hospital I dropped to the floor.  I was rushed into the resus room of the A & E.  I didn’t know what was happening to me until I was informed that I’d had a heart attack.  They transferred me to the Coronary Care Unit where they kept a close eye on me for six days. I suffered a few bouts of unstable angina during this time. 
I was transferred to Glasgow for an angiogram, which is when they get into your heart through your groin so they can place a stent in your artery to keep it from clogging up.   I was discharged later on medication to thin my blood, lower my cholesterol and control my high blood pressure.  They diagnosed me with chronic unstable angina.

I thought my problems were over but little did I know there was more to come.

In 2006, I had another heart attack while on holiday in Heidelberg, Germany and had a second stent inserted.  Then again, in July 2008 I had another heart attack in Cologne, Germany and had to have two more stents inserted.  After which, I was diagnosed with COPD (a lung disease) and type 2 diabetes.

On the 1st March 2007 I had my first stroke; it was a TIA (transient ischaemic attack) or mini-stroke.  After a short stay in hospital I was sent home. I had to use a stair lift because I couldn’t climb the stairs and was barely able to walk.   I was on the mend when in December 2008 I suffered another TIA, this set me back for a time but I was not about to give in because I am a fighter.

In June, all hell broke loose when I had a full blown stroke known as a CVA.  I was in hospital for 6 weeks and the team of doctors announced one morning that I would never walk again. What a shock to the system, the tears just flowed down my face and I couldn’t reply-not one word-to the doctors.  A nurse came to me and said that the doctor should not have been so harsh with me, that he could have softened the blow a little by saying we will do our best to get you up and walking soon. I had a few bad days to say the least, and only for a couple of good humoured patients on my ward I started to pick up. The Sister then told me that I was going to be assessed for the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin for physiotherapy and speech and language therapy.

I was moved to the NRH in Dun Laoghaire and I was undergoing therapy when I had a heart attack and was transferred to St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin. After my discharge I went back the NRH, the medical team then decided rather than risk another heart attack-from my chronic unstable angina - they would reduce my physiotherapy by 50%, which would lessen my chances of ever walking again.

I was discharged after spending three months in three hospitals.  I was advised to use a power-chair as the use of a manual wheelchair would increase my risk of another heart attack or stroke.  I am very grateful to all the doctors and staff of the NRH who could not do enough for me; they were so kind and considerate to me during my stay.  I know in my heart that if possible they would have kept me longer and they did do their best for me considering my unstable condition. I was treated with the greatest of respect by one and all and I was a patient and not just another number, thank you NRH and keep up the good work.
 
After my discharge from the NRH I got help from the public health nurse and the occupational therapist (OT).  I had my stair lift in place which only left my bathroom to be refurbished with a wheelchair shower toilet and grab rails to which I was so grateful.  The HSE OT got me everything I needed, she was a wonderful person and I later found out it was her husband who was the physiotherapist at my local hospital.

Now I have since purchased a battery operated scooter for my trips to the shops.  I go out every Tuesday to the Clare Branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) in Ennis Co. Clare as I live in Shannon Town; I enjoy the art & crafts which they provide. We formed a committee and I am Vice Chairperson of the branch and I’m on an access survey with the Brothers of Charity.  I’m also doing an Adult Education Computer Course with the HSE.  I hobble around my home a little and do some cooking and small light maintenance jobs around the house. I live to travel so I purchased a fold up power scooter which fits in the booth of a car so I’m not confined to my home. I have to be on the go at all times and try not to dwell too much on my disability.

One of my paintings was in the IWA 2010 calendar and another one will be in the 2011 calendar.  I’ve also had an article published on access in the IWA’s Spoke Out magazine I write a lot for Irish Health.ie.  I am still fighting for my basic human right, as a person with a disability, to gain access to public transport and public and private buildings.

I keep the bright side out and thank God for another day every morning when I wake up.   Life is short and I’ve had several chances which I am making the best of with my grown up daughter, two sons and one granddaughter and two grandsons. I want to enjoy what's left of my life.

 

I would like to offer my time to give talks to heart attack and stroke survivors on how to cope as a disabled person, and if any organisation out there reads this article you can contact me through the Irish Heart Foundation or the Clare branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association.

My motto is; keep smiling keep the bright side out at all times.”