Table Of Content‘Andy McCann gives a unique, and highly informative account from his own life
experience of a stroke, together with his inspirational story of the challeng-
ing journey through recovery. Andy also presents current biological information
about strokes in an easily assimilated format, which is augmented by additional
stories from stroke survivors. This book is not only a highly valuable source of
information for anyone who has suffered a stroke, but also those wishing to
understand the contributing factors and possible consequences. Andy’s book also
offers many approaches to establishing a healthier and more balanced life style. A
thoroughly well worth read.’
– Gavin Emerson, Director of Academic Studies,
Brief Strategic Therapy and Clinical Hypnosis (BST) Foundation
‘In this book Andy has managed to include so much information crucial to people
who have survived a stroke and their families and yet has kept a personal touch
which makes the book both readable and enjoyable. A must-read for anyone
whose life has been affected by stroke. Inspirational and informative.”
– Dr Tig Calvert, Senior Lecturer in Neuropsychologyand Clinical Hypnotherapist,
St Mary’s College, University of Surrey
‘A very personal and motivating account of a stroke recovery with lots of useful
information and insight for people who have had a stroke and their families and
friends.’
– Dr Cliff Arnall, Psychologist, Cardiff University
‘This book has helped me on three levels: first, as a medically interested person,
the frank and clear way in which the stroke event is described, with the medical
terms explained, has indeed made me realise we all have a gap in our knowledge to
fill about this issue; second, as a therapist, it has given me a unique insight into the
stroke survivor that has enabled me now to fully appreciate the emotional and
physical trauma suffered, allowing me to adjust my massage treatment accordingly
in the future for the better; and lastly, as a friend of Andy’s for nearly 20 years, the
book gives me the missing pieces I didn’t know were missing, of why he is my
friend. An inspirational “textbook for the unaware” explaining the lessons to be
learned for all of us that “live life in the fast lane” and who “expect it to happen to
someone else”. Life is not a rehearsal and we must all take the necessary proactive
steps to ensure we keep our good health.’
– Paul Harris, Sports Massage Therapist
‘Highly informative text, which will be a valuable educational resource. Raising
the profile of stroke as a “brain attack” and enhancing the need for us all to follow a
personal stroke prevention programme. The use of medical terminology has been
integrated enabling understanding across the range of medical expertise. Rehabil-
itation procedures are thought-provoking, inspirational and an excellent example
of positive thinking.’
– Neil Perkins, Head of Physical Education, Cardinal Newman School
‘This book provides an alternative viewpoint on stroke survival. Although there
are many medical references and textbooks outlining the underlying medical con-
ditions associated with stroke, this book provides valuable information, which is
complementary to the available medical literature. The author, as a result of his
own experiences, has compiled an informative text on many issues related to our
understanding of stroke and the effect it has on life “post-event”.
… This book provides readers with a “positive attitude” approach to the prob-
lems experienced by stroke survivors of all ages and gender, highlights alternative
information previously not available for stroke victims and outlines the benefits of
traditional and alternative exercise, eating healthy food and suggests that stroke
survivors can move on to lead full, complete and rewarding lives.
… The author has…written a definitive text, which includes material that can
be utilised to improve and enhance the mental and physical quality of life experi-
enced by stroke victims. Stroke prevention has become his passion so others can
become proactive, rather than reactive. The author knows that he has, forever,
been changed by his “stroke of misfortune” but has emerged producing a “stroke of
genius”.’
– Dr Julien Steven Baker, Reader in Applied Physiology,
Health and Exercise Science Research Unit, University of Glamorgan
‘I am delighted to be able to introduce a book which not only speaks of the experi-
ences of the author, but includes contributions from many other stroke survivors
describing what has helped – and hindered – their recovery.
Stroke affects more than 10,000 people under the age of 55 every year in the
UK, but young stroke survivors are still often bundled into geriatric wards and
given little help. Andy shows just what can be achieved through determination
and grit!’
– Christina Meacham, Chief Executive, Different Strokes
Stroke Survivor
A Personal Guide to Coping and Recovery
Andy McCann
Forewords by Robin Sieger and The Stroke Association (UK)
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
London and Philadelphia
First published in 2006
by Jessica Kingsley Publishers
116 Pentonville Road
London N1 9JB, UK
and
400 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
www.jkp.com
Copyright © Andy McCann 2006
Foreword copyright © Robin Sieger 2006
Foreword copyright © The Stroke Association (UK) 2006
Extract on p.38 from Laurel & Hardy: Quote Unquote by Neil Grant. Used by permission
of Parragon.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (includ-
ing photocopying or storing it in any medium by electronic means and whether or not tran-
siently or incidentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of
the copyright owner except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd,
90 Tottenham Court Road, London, England W1T 4LP. Applications for the copyright owner’s
written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the
publisher.
Warning: The doing of an unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work may result in both a
civil claim for damages and criminal prosecution.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
McCann, Andy, 1966-
Stroke survivor : a personal guide to recovery / Andy McCann ; foreword by Robin Sieger ;
foreword by the Stroke Association.-- 1st American pbk. ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-84310-410-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 1-84310-410-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. McCann, Andy 1966---Health. 2.
Cerebrovascular disease--Patients--Biography. 3. Cerebrovascular disease--Patients--Rehabilita-
tion. I. Title.
RC388.5.M25 2006
362.196'810092--dc22
2005029510
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN-13: 978 1 84310 410 0
ISBN-10: 1 84310 410 5
ISBN pdf eBook: 1 84642 472 0
Printed and bound in Great Britain by
Athenaeum Press, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
To Mum and Dad
Sorry you have had to support me
through so much
…and for so long!
To Anne
‘To the world you might be one person,
but to one person you might be the world.’
(Anon.)
Contents
Acknowledgements 11
Foreword by Robin Sieger 13
Foreword by The Stroke Association (UK) 14
Introduction 15
Part I My Stroke: From a Statistic
to Personal Discovery 23
1. Stroke in Context 25
Stroke as an ‘acquired brain injury’ 26
Stroke as a ‘disease burden’ 26
A simple summary of stroke statistics 27
2. My Life Before the Stroke 29
3. My Life Changes 38
The first few days 38
The brain scan and confirmation of stroke 53
Religion finds me! 63
Some tests to establish the cause 68
Meeting the stroke nurse 72
4. Taking Control 77
Returning home 77
Making progress 81
Lessons in psychology 88
Dogs and more therapy 101
5. Walking a New Path 106
Part II An Introduction to Neuroscience:
A Route Through the Maze of Information 113
6. What Is a Stroke? 115
Ischaemic strokes 116
Haemorrhagic strokes 117
7. The Brain and Its Blood Supply 119
Basic neuro-anatomy for the lay person 119
Basic vessel anatomy for the lay person 131
8. The Stroke: Signs, Symptoms and Causes 137
A physiological warning of stroke – transient ischaemic attack 137
The onset of stroke 138
Why stroke occurs 139
9. After a Stroke 145
The effects of stroke 145
Prognosis following stroke 151
Part III Surviving Stroke: Ensuring Recovery
and Dealing with the Financial Impact 155
10. A Toolkit for Recovery and Prevention 157
My method of recovery: players to the game 157
How to select players 160
Player profiles 164
11. Financial Matters 201
State benefits 201
Private policies 203
Returning to work 207
Conclusion 209
Appendix I: Survivors’ Stories 214
Appendix II: Useful Addresses 230
Glossary 238
References 245
Further Reading 247
Index 248
List of Figures
1.1 The classification of acquired brain injury 26
7.1 Side view of the brain showing the outer brain structure, and
nerve cells 121
7.2 The interconnected parts of the nervous system 123
7.3 A basic neuro-anatomical breakdown of the brain 124
7.4 View of a brain showing stroke damage and the surrounding
penumbral region that is at risk of damage 126
7.5 A simplified circulatory pathway of blood to the brain 132
7.6 Side view of the brain showing normal blood vessels, and an enlarged
section showing an arteriovenous malformation and an aneurysm 135
8.1 The main blood supply to the brain; the enlarged section shows
blockage of the artery, which can cause a stroke 141
List of Tables
9.1 Functions of and possible problems related to different lobes 147
10.1 The classification of fats and their effect on cholesterol 180
