Dancing back to health: Katharine's story

back to the ballroom dancing she loves. It helped in her recovery and, despite some continued health challenges, still gives her joy. 

Katharine, who worked as an academic librarian at the University of Suffolk, continued to dance through her fifties. She competed with different partners, won some competitions and always enjoyed taking part. “Dancing is really hard work but I got bitten by the bug, so I didn’t notice the effort, and I was really fit.” 

I just couldn't lift my arms properly. I knew there was something dreadfully wrong

Emergency surgery

She was taken to hospital, where doctors told Katharine she’d had an aortic dissection – a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, which is the main artery in the body. It’s a serious condition that can be life-threatening.

Katharine had emergency surgery to replace the damaged part of her aorta, but either during or shortly after the surgery she had a series of strokes. She was in a medically induced coma for several days and she remembers waking up on a stroke ward in another hospital.

I couldn’t work out how to get the marmalade out of the jar. We laughed about it; it seemed so ridiculous

She says: “I couldn’t get out of bed or walk at first. I could speak, and I could swallow, but the strokes had left me very weak.” Katharine had to re-learn basic skills, like showering, writing and even spreading marmalade on her toast. “I couldn’t work out how to get the marmalade out of the jar. The children and I laughed about it; it seemed so ridiculous.”

• Get tips from BHF Senior Dietitian Victoria Taylor on eating after stroke

Learning to dance again

When she returned home from hospital after a few weeks, Katharine continued to work on her recovery, eventually managing to go for walks alone. She spent time getting support twice weekly at a specialist rehabilitation centre and had help from a charity called DriveAbility to get back to driving.

I couldn’t remember how to dance. I was really worried about what was going to happen to that part of my life

Competing in the grand finals

Challenges that she faced included the loss of balance due to the strokes and weaker core muscles, making sharp turns difficult. Katharine also has breathing problems caused by something that happened when she was unwell. Her vocal cords became fixed in a semi-closed position.

She explains: “My breathing is shallow and it’s an effort to draw air into my lungs. This makes the muscles in my back tighten, giving me bad backache. I have back massages and I do a daily yoga routine to reset my back muscles.”

A new way of life

Katharine has had to adapt to a new kind of life due to her continued breathing difficulties and because she gets tired easily. She stopped working and she keeps housework to a minimum. “I used to love gardening but I can’t do so much now, although I can still enjoy sitting in the garden.

I am still very grateful for the chance to live more mindfully, at a slower, more considered pace

“Despite everything that happened to me, I am still very grateful for the pared-down life I now lead and the chance to live more mindfully, at a slower, more considered pace. I now have time to do country walks with local walking groups and have joined an art group to pursue my interest in drawing wildflowers.”

Katharine credits her family, dance teacher and partners in helping her get back to dancing. “They have all been brilliant,” she says. “Looking back I do feel it was a massive achievement to have got to Blackpool. The Lait Dance Club and Annette really went above and beyond. I will keep having my lessons and doing bits of social dancing. I always want to have dancing in my life.”

• Find a dance fitness class near you at 'exercise move dance' or call 01403 266000

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