For Clinical Nurse Consultant Jess Pyman, helping stroke patients is part of her every day.
Ms Pyman has been on the Sunshine Coast Health stroke team for the past seven years where each day is a race against time, knowing that every minute counts.
“Strokes are unforgiving,” she says. “They occur suddenly, and you can’t predict it. When a stroke happens - immediate and advanced care is crucial.”
It’s not an easy thing to see for loved ones, and it’s even more heart-wrenching for those impacted by stroke.
“The most common types of disability after stroke are changes to speech, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.
“The sudden onset is quite scary and there is the fear of it happening again. The first seven to 10 days are when patients are at the highest risk of another stroke, so it’s vital we find the cause.”
Starting her career in neurosurgery in Melbourne before moving to the Sunshine Coast, Ms Pyman finds immense fulfillment in her work.
“What I love most about working with stroke patients is seeing their improvement - watching a patient walk for the first time or speak again is pretty emotional.
“Those first 90 days are important. This is the time patients need to work hard to regain those connections in the brain to recover motor skills, speech and cognitive functions.”
Ms Pyman’s dedication is particularly poignant as Wishlist announces a $600,000 fundraising campaign during National Stroke Week to purchase a state-of-the-art Biplane Unit.
This 3D imaging machine will be the first of its kind on the Sunshine Coast, playing a critical role in establishing a local clot-retrieval service.
To support Wishlist and help fund the Biplane Unit for the benefit of stroke patients, make a tax-deductible donation or phone 5202 1777.
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