David Tulugak of Rankin Inlet was like most people when it came to the thought of ever having a stroke; it can't happen to him — until it did.
Tulugak's last day of work at the Government of Nunavut's information technology lab in Rankin was Oct. 2, 2017 — the day his stroke hit. He is now on permanent disability until he turns 65.
Tulugak, 59, who officiated minor and senior hockey in Rankin, said he was at home following a hockey meeting when he became really uneasy and couldn't stop moving around.
He said his wife, Marlene, observed his behaviour, felt he was possibly having a stroke and rushed him to the Kivalliq Regional Hospital in Rankin.
“My wife and my son brought me down to the health centre and that's when I really did suffer the stroke,” said Tulugak. “I was very lucky my wife recognized the symptoms.
“Since the stroke, I can't do anything much, really, but get up and dress myself. I can't even cook. I can only make hard-boiled eggs. That's about it.”
Tulugak said these days he can barely use his right arm or right hand.
He said he feels constantly out of place not being able to do anything, especially when it comes to helping his family.
“We should all be able to help out at home, so I try to do as much as I can.
“I'm at the point where I know I'm not going to get any better and I'm slowly accepting what I am now, but I do hope as time goes on I will be able to help out around the house more. That's important to me.
“I never thought this would happen to me. I thought I would be OK all the time.
“A couple of months ago, my doctor in Winnipeg and a back specialist also found out that I have a cracked spine, which might be the reason why my right side is not doing too good. They have no idea how long it's been cracked. I have to go for surgery, but I don't know when yet.”
Tulugak said what he misses most about his life before having the stroke is going boating in the summer and camping with his grand kids.
He said he could still go for a boat trip, but he wouldn't be able to do anything except sit and try to enjoy the scenery.
“I did quit smoking about seven months ago even though, at the time, I wasn't really trying to quit. I had a very bad sore throat, so I wasn't going to smoke for awhile until it got better. I still haven't had a cigarette yet. I haven't put on much weight either, since I quit.
“These days I watch TikTok a lot or I'm on Facebook all day. I enjoy going out in the truck and having my wife drive me around, so I bought another truck which came in about two weeks ago.
“It's a smaller truck for my wife, the new one, and I gave the bigger truck to my daughter, Amy.
“I enjoy the rides, seeing what people are doing and saying hello, and just having fun with my wife. That's pretty much my entire life now.”
