NCA improvement manager Sarah Gunshon is living proof that you can rebuild a good life after stroke.
In 2013, Sarah was on a bike ride with a friend when she suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage—a serious bleed on the brain. She was treated at Salford Royal, where neurosurgeon Mr Hiren Patel carried out a life-saving craniotomy to clip her aneurysm.
Sarah said: “The care I received was exceptional and felt very personal. Mr Patel phoned my husband before the operation and came in on his day off to check on me afterwards. The specialist nurse, Louise Dulhanty, was always accessible and supportive.”
Sarah has since made a strong recovery. “At the time, it was common to think a brain haemorrhage meant a death sentence and it really isn’t. I’ve recovered well: I’ve progressed in my career, I can drive, socialise, and support my family, caring for my mum on my day off work. With some lifestyle adjustments, I’ve been able to rebuild a full and meaningful life.”
However, Sarah highlights that recovery does not end when patients leave hospital. Her own experience has shaped her passion for improving community-based support, particularly in the early stages after discharge.
“While I received excellent life-saving care, I found the biggest challenge came when I returned home. The psychological impact can be significant, and you’re often still processing everything that’s happened while trying to adjust back to daily life.”
At the time of her haemorrhage, Sarah’s son was 10 years old.
“I found it very difficult to be on my own with him. I worried constantly about having another stroke and what that would mean for him and my husband. Those thoughts were overwhelming,” she said.
Everyday activities also became a source of anxiety.
“Getting back into a car was particularly challenging—I didn’t even feel comfortable as a passenger at first.”
With support from the team at Salford Royal, Sarah was able to access psychological help, which she credits as an important part of her recovery. She believes there is an opportunity to strengthen this support beyond the hospital setting.
“It would make such a difference to have better access to psychological support in the community, especially early on when people are adjusting to being back at home. Support groups, where people can share lived experience, could be invaluable.”
Over time Sarah has developed practical strategies to manage the longer-term effects of her haemorrhage, including fatigue and cognitive challenges.
“Fatigue can still affect me—it might make me clumsy or I can struggle to find words. The difference now is that I understand it. I’ve learned to recognise the signs, communicate openly with my husband and son, and use the coping strategies I’ve built up.”
She is also supported in her role through flexible working arrangements, enabling her to balance her health and wellbeing while continuing to contribute professionally.
Through sharing her experience, Sarah hopes to support others and inform service improvement - like the psychoeducation group for subarachnoid haemhorrage patients now in place at Salford Royal.
“Recovery can feel uncertain, especially in those early days at home. If sharing my experience helps someone feel less alone or more hopeful, then it’s worthwhile. You can rebuild your life after a brain haemorrhage—with the right support in place.”