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My name is Osarime, but I’m often called Osa. I vividly remember receiving a phone call on a Friday from Wolverhampton General Hospital. The voice on the other end asked, "Are you Denden's mum?" When I confirmed, the caller said, "Can you come to the hospital immediately?" I was told to come to Wolverhampton Hospital without knowing the full details. I was informed that it was urgent, with the message, "Get here now or you might not see him alive."
Upon arrival, I found my son in a cubicle, drifting in and out of consciousness. My husband, a doctor, was told that Denden had suffered a stroke and brain aneurysm. The situation was grave, and the medical team advised that if he survived until morning, they could perform surgery to address the blood clot. The uncertainty and fear were overwhelming, and we began praying fervently.
In the following days, the severity of Denden's condition became clear. He had to be placed in a coma for an extended period to aid his recovery. We faced dark days, supported by my husband, children, and sisters. During this time, I learned about the importance of stroke awareness through campaigns like FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time).
As Denden began to recover, we focused on rehabilitation. We introduced games and activities to help him regain cognitive and motor skills. Simple tasks like playing Connect Four highlighted the extent of his cognitive impairment. We adapted our home with hand-rails and one-handed cooking tools to accommodate his new needs.
We were referred to Banstead, which provided excellent care, but eventually, we had to return home. The Stroke Association played a crucial role in helping us navigate ongoing support. I fought for every bit of assistance, including rehab, physiotherapy, and speech therapy. We even paid for private tuition to aid his recovery.
Before this experience, I believed strokes only affected older people or those with pre-existing conditions. Discovering that a stroke could affect a 19-year-old was shocking. This experience has taught me the importance of healthy living and adherence to medication.
Despite the challenges, seeing Denden make progress each day is a blessing. He has regained some abilities, like recognising when to eat and use the toilet. Although the path was unexpected, I remain hopeful for his future. I continue to support him with a focus on healthy living, ensuring his diet is well-balanced. Despite the disappointment of not seeing my son achieve his previous ambitions, I am grateful that he is alive and making progress.
