Cath’s Blog

cath atkin

Hi and welcome to my blog. My blog dates back to early 2013 when I suffered a stroke and records my journey and experiences as I progressed through my recovery and beyond. I have tried to share my thoughts and feelings and convey the highs and lows of life after stroke and coming to terms with a serious health condition. I hope my writing manages to inspire you in some small way and you continue to enjoy following my journey as it unfolds ……….

It’s all in my head…

It’s all in my head…

December 16, 2014
It’s all in my head… That’s pretty much what I’ve been told today by a haematologist. I had my check-up appointment today with the haematology department at the local hospital. They have been keeping a close eye on my treatment and my own doctor consults with them...
I don’t belieeeeeeeeve it???

I don’t belieeeeeeeeve it???

October 31, 2014
I don’t belieeeeeeeeve it??? Wow, my INR has gone up to 3.0, at last! My therapeutic range is between 2.5 and 3.5 so for the first time in so long it’s bang in the middle.  I know I feel so much better for it.  So how did that happen? Well… My fabulous colleague...
The INR saga goes on…………

The INR saga goes on…………

October 3, 2014
The INR saga goes on………… That’s what it feels like. A saga. The story so far. On warfarin, doing okay, feel a bit rough, change diet, feel even more rough, warfarin dose increased, feel slightly better, feel rough again… yadda, yadda, yadda… Bloods taken again – INR...
Increase the warfarin again ………..

Increase the warfarin again ………..

September 24, 2014
Increase the warfarin again ……….. Bloods still low – my INR is down to 1.6 now. So my warfarin dose has been increased again to 13/14mg alternate days. Still mapping out what I eat and taking photos – have been uploading them to my warfarin diet on...
Stop the bus!!!

Stop the bus!!!

September 16, 2014
Stop the bus!!! Stop the bus, I want to get off. Feeling rough again - really rough.  Tired, sore stomach, slurring my words…  I really want to sleep but my stomach is too sore.  I just don’t understand what is going on and why I feel so bad at times.  Docs don’t seem...
I’m picking up!  But not that fast….

I’m picking up! But not that fast….

August 26, 2014
I’m picking up! But not that fast…. I’m getting there at last. My INR has come back up to 2.1 again so I am getting back towards my therapeutic range.  I am feeling a bit better, not as lethargic, but my stomach is still sore with the indigestion. Well I’m off...
Feeling really bad now!

Feeling really bad now!

August 23, 2014
I was just so sore that I didn’t know what to do. It was a Saturday today so I couldn’t go to the doctors but I was getting so much pain in my side and my back that it was sore to breathe and was making me dizzy. I decided to go to the accident and emergency...
Still Feeling as Rough as a Rough Thing…

Still Feeling as Rough as a Rough Thing…

August 15, 2014
Still Feeling as Rough as a Rough Thing… I still haven’t been feeling back on track again so I asked for another blood test to check my INR. I had it taken a couple of days ago and I have just phoned in to get the result. 1.8 So it’s only moved 0.2 but Doc still wants...
Rougher Still…

Rougher Still…

August 8, 2014
Rougher Still… Just couldn’t stand the pain any longer today, so phoned the doctor. He has agreed to up my Warfarin dose to 13mg every second day so I am now on 12/13 alternate days. Hopefully that will start to bring my INR up again....
Feeling as Rough as a Rough Thing…

Feeling as Rough as a Rough Thing…

August 6, 2014
Feeling as Rough as a Rough Thing… Not sure what’s going on but I have been feeling so rough. I haven’t been away travelling for a few weeks so it can’t be down to that.  I have been careful with what I am eating and measuring my greens to be sure I am having a...