On 23 March 2021, Mrs Catherine Mofokeng (68) woke up and told herself that she is feeling slightly off today, not her usual self. She decided to consult her doctor and as the day progressed, she started to feel better. The managed to conduct her evening routines like any other day and went to bed early.

Mrs Mofokeng recalled waking up and feeling dizzy, not aware of her senses and to the sound of her grandchild screaming. “I looked at myself in the mirror, my mouth was shifted onto my left side and the right side of my body felt painful and I could not move.”

Mrs Catherine Mofokeng was a victim of a stroke and to determine the most appropriate treatment for stroke, an emergency team is now racing against time to evaluate the type of stroke a person is having and what parts of the brain is affected.

Dr LT Tlale, the Emergency Room specialist took over when Mrs Mofokeng’s arrived in the unit and although she can only recall partial events the emergency interventions were activated.

Mrs Mofokeng was assessed and rushed to the Radiology department for a CT scan – the essential step that will enable the medical team to identify the type of stroke that she experienced, and her specific symptoms will depend on the part of her brain affected and the extend of the damage.

Mrs Mofokeng was admitted into the ICU / High Care department for the next 4 days. She was carefully monitored and had to be assisted with basic daily living tasks such as bathing, eating and even re-positioning. On 27 March 2021 Mrs Mofokeng has recovered and moved to the Medical ward.

“I recall the sisters trying to bath me and I could not move, I had to be fed as I could not eat by myself. God really provided knowledge to my doctor and nurses, and I am forever grateful” . She is visited by her daughter who stated, “We are beyond happy, I was so scared when looking at my mother as I am not ready to lose her.”

Mrs Mofokeng is a brave survivor of a life changing incident – she was diagnosed quickly for having experienced an ischemic stroke caused by a blood clot in the blood vessel and obstructing the blood flow to parts of her brain. And with the correct treatment (thrombolysis – meaning that the cloth was broken down by using medication) the complications were prevented and with the quick response of the medical team even reversed.

Stroke is preventable. Up to 80% of strokes could be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes and working with your health care team to control health conditions that raise your risk for stroke.

Mrs Catherine is completing her recovery in Medical ward at Busamed Harrismith Private Hospital and we are delighted to have her living testimony. A full and speedy recovery Mrs Catherine!