Dimitris Starovas gave his first major interview a few months after his serious health incident.The stroke, the days in hospital and the reference to his mother.
Regarding his recent health incident, but also his daily struggle to overcome the problems caused by the serious stroke he suffered last May, he spoke Dimitris Starovasin “Protagonists” and Stavros Theodorakis.
The first minutes after the stroke he suffered, the days in the ICU and the first words when he got up were shared by the well-known artist and his partner on the camera of the show, with Dimitris Starovas also referring to aspects of his family life.
Shocking was the description of the first minutes of the stroke, wich happened, as Anna Stathakis said, to be at her house that day.
“I go home, I open it, I see Dimitris well, he also commented about our cats, that he did that and we laughed. I start to put things in order, I say to him ‘how are you, how are you today’ because he has not been well in the last few days, he looks at me, without giving me any answer. At some point he comes towards me, I ask him again how he is ..pacing back and forth like a caged beast. As he has a sense of humor too, I say to him ‘are you kidding me?’ What happened?’ And he starts walking around the house nervously. I start and move, I take him and say to him ‘Dimitris, tell me, can’t you talk to me?’ and he moved his eyes. That’s when I realized he couldn’t talk to me.that’s where I get the shock of my life, I tried to keep my cool and got the ambulance right away […] the ambulance was running so fast that I, who no the speed, said that we will be killed in a traffic accident or that we will be saved. It was a trip that I will never forget in my life and I am grateful to them and I looked for them when we went into the hospital as these people provided half of our salvation”. said Anna stathakis.
Speaking to Stavros Theodorakis, Dimitris Starovas admitted that he was sure he had somethingand he also mentioned all his old habits before the stroke, which included about four packs of cigarettes a day and food.
“Generally behind this body that is too fat now, there is a sensitive boy. I was convinced I had something because every day I had arrhythmias, palpitations, panic attacks, you name it. And I did everything he does, everything he says, everything m@@@@ thinks”, Dimitris Starovas said typically.
Did he ever think he was going to die?
“I woke up every morning in my sleep as I was wired, no IV, dehydrated and a monitor in my ear weighing down …what to sleep? When I fell asleep, every time I woke up I said ‘what a bad dream i had‘, and I saw every morning that it was true. I didn’t want to believe that I was sick, because the last time I was in the hospital was when I gave birth,” he said.
At another point in the interview, Anna Stathakis revealed to Stavros Theodorakis the first sentence of Dimitris Starovas as soon as he opened his eyes.
“He wasn’t talking and I said to him one day ‘say good morning’, he didn’t say it at first, I go over his bed, and I said ‘ka-ka-good morning’ and he turns around and says “oh my”. She hadn’t said a word!” she said.
Dimitris Starovas also referred to his childhood and his mother, pointing out unknown incidents that marked Stavros Theodorakis as a child.
“I grew up on feathers. Despite all the poverty, my mother raised me. He worked three jobs, I missed nothing, no dad, no partner, no man. Alone with a child and they were collecting signatures to kick us out of the neighborhood. They said the hell with the exogamy”, Dimitris Starovas said and added: “He did not let this transfer to me. I have never been a bad boy, I would say that I am a person of passions, a hero of my passions. Emotional type”.
How can a strong support system aid in recovery after a serious health incident like a stroke?
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the privilege of speaking with expert and health advocate Dimitris Starovas. Dimitris, thank you for joining us. It’s been a few months since your serious health incident, and we are eager to hear more about your journey and insights.
Dimitris Starovas: Thank you for having me! It’s an honor to share my experiences and hopefully inspire others facing similar challenges.
Time.news Editor: You were quite open about the stroke you suffered last May. Can you take us back to that moment? What do you remember about the first minutes following the incident?
Dimitris Starovas: Those first moments were surreal. It was as if time stood still. I remember feeling a strange heaviness, and then everything went dark. The next thing I knew, I was in the ICU, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and sounds. It was overwhelming.
Time.news Editor: I can only imagine how frightening that must have been. After waking up, what were the first thoughts and words that came to your mind?
Dimitris Starovas: My first thought was about my family, especially my mother. I remembered her unwavering support throughout my life, and it struck me how vital it was to stay strong for her. My first words were, “I’m still hear.” It was my way of reassuring both myself and my loved ones.
Time.news Editor: That’s incredibly moving. How has your daily life been impacted as the stroke, and what challenges do you continue to face?
Dimitris Starovas: Each day is a challenge, but it’s also an chance to learn and grow. I deal with physical limitations and fatigue, but I’ve also discovered resilience within myself. Simple tasks like walking or speaking require effort,but I have a dedicated team of therapists and my family by my side,which makes a world of difference.
Time.news Editor: it sounds like you’ve developed a strong support system, which is vital in recovery. What message do you want to share with others who might be facing similar health struggles?
Dimitris Starovas: I want them to know they are not alone. Recovery is not a straight path; it has its ups and downs. But with patience, perseverance, and a support network, improvement is absolutely possible.Embrace each victory, no matter how small.
Time.news Editor: That’s powerful advice. Have you considered using your experience to advocate for stroke awareness and prevention?
Dimitris Starovas: Absolutely! I believe it’s crucial to raise awareness about strokes and their warning signs. Manny people are unaware of the risk factors and the importance of acting quickly when symptoms arise. I want to use my voice to educate others and advocate for better healthcare support systems.
Time.news Editor: Your passion for advocacy is inspiring, Dimitris. As we wrap up, what does the future look like for you? What goals do you hope to achieve?
Dimitris Starovas: I hope to reclaim my health and continue advocating for stroke awareness. I want to engage in community outreach programs, sharing my story and helping others navigate their journeys. Ultimately,I want to live fully,appreciating every moment and opportunity life offers.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dimitris, for sharing your journey with us today. Your story is a testament to resilience and the human spirit. We wish you all the best in your recovery and advocacy efforts.
Dimitris Starovas: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to share this. Remember, every day is a chance to make a positive change.