My Journey After the Stroke

Five years ago, my life changed dramatically – I had a stroke. At the time, I was working as a district physician at the health center in Öregrund. I held dual specializations: general practitioner and clinical geneticist, with a particular focus on cardiovascular genetics. About 75% of my work was clinical, and the rest was dedicated to genetics, in collaboration with Umeå.

Cardiovascular genetics is about understanding how our genes influence the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Through DNA analysis, often from blood or saliva samples, we search for genetic variations – such as SNPs or mutations – that may increase the risk of conditions like stroke or heart attack. It’s a field that demands both medical and genetic expertise, and one I was deeply passionate about.

Around the same time, my wife was offered a position as a healthcare manager in Jämtland. She moved first, and I followed a month later. Not long after, I suffered the stroke – a life-altering event. I underwent acute thrombolysis and experienced paralysis on my right side. The early days were extremely difficult, both physically and emotionally. I remember feeling confused, exhausted, and worried about the future.

Rehabilitation has been a long journey, but also one filled with support, determination, and small victories. I received intensive speech therapy and physical training – especially HIIT – which helped me regain both cognitive and language abilities. During this period, I also had several surgeries, including one for retinal detachment, which further impacted my recovery.

Six months after the stroke, I developed sepsis – blood poisoning. I was hospitalized for eight days and received intensive antibiotic treatment. An abscess in my left armpit was found to be caused by Streptococcus intermedius, and I underwent surgery to remove the infection. Sepsis can affect multiple organs and in my case, also led to anemia. It was another serious challenge on my road to recovery.

Despite everything, I’m deeply grateful for the care and support I’ve received – from the healthcare system, from my wife, and from friends. This journey has taught me a lot about the body’s vulnerability and the strength of the human spirit. Life looks different today, but I’ve also gained a new perspective on what truly matters.