In June 2023, Michael Lyons from Midleton in Co. Cork was very surprised to learn that he had experienced a stroke. 

In June 2023, Michael Lyons from Midleton in Co. Cork was very surprised to learn that he had experienced a stroke. 

For as long as he can remember, Michael has been affected by episodes of scintillating scotoma, as had his mother. A scintillating scotoma manifests itself as a blind spot that is surrounded by sparkling zigzag lines. 

Michael would describe what he experiences as “the visual disturbance that you can get with a migraine, but without the pain, although it can make you feel queasy”. Episodes usually last 15-30 minutes, and afterwards you feel very washed out.” 

He recalls a day in April 2023 when one of these episodes lasted several hours and was a bit different to his usual ones. The scotoma did not develop as usual. “Instead of one point of focus, there were three, and they remained fuzzy and lasted for hours.” That night, I had some leg pain and severe pins and needles in my left leg and foot, resulting in a very disturbed night. This was followed by a few days of hyperactivity and an intense feeling of general anxiety.” The episode passed, and Michael thought no more about it, although there was still some discomfort from the pins and needles, but the anxiety was the most distressing. 

About two months later, Michael had an MRI scan in relation to other problems. He was astonished to learn from the doctor that the results showed that he had suffered a stroke in his visual cortex. Michael links it to that earlier episode in April, and in retrospect, it explains other problems that he had noticed, such as some difficulty in finding words, confusion and extreme anxiety.  

Trying to find help, Michael searched for information about strokes online and discovered the Irish Heart Foundation. “I saw that they offered assistance to those who have had a stroke, so I got in touch with them.” He was delighted to discover the Stroke Connect Service, an eight-week phone-based service for stroke survivors who need practical and emotional support after a stroke. Depending on patient needs, a range of short-term and longer-term supports are available. 

Michael was able to call the Nurse Support Line with any concerns or questions that he had, and he availed of the professional counselling from the Irish Heart Foundation. He “found this absolutely wonderful for dealing with generalised anxiety and sleep disorder, which arose after the stroke.” This counselling is available by phone or online. 

Michael, who is 73, has always enjoyed singing and has been involved in a number of choirs and a local singing group that meet up on a regular basis. “My voice type is light baritone, so I’d sing in the bass line of a choir”. Michael joined the Irish Heart Foundation’s ‘Rhythm of Recovery Choir’, which meets online and in person and uses music and voice work to support stroke survivors, heart patients, carers, and volunteers in rehabilitation and recovery. “I take part in the online sessions and look forward to the weekly rehearsals, which usually start with relaxation, then vocal warm-ups, improvisations, and movement while we’re singing. They’re very good. And the great thing is that your microphone can be turned off, so you can make any sort of noise you like! There is also an option to sing a solo piece, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so”.  

The choir has a busy schedule of events. They participated in the Novartis Ireland Patient Choir Contest and have performed in the Civic Theatre, Tallaght, for Culture Night and in Tallaght Hospital and the Swan Shopping Centre, Dublin, at Christmas time. 

Michael would strongly recommend joining the online choir and, if possible, the in-person events. “Seeing the other people with similar problems is very comforting, as you know you are not alone, and Kevin, the Choirmaster, is a great musician and is very encouraging. The relaxation to music and the breathing exercises and warm-ups are good physically and mentally, as of course is the singing.”