"My experience after having a stroke"

I had a haemorrhage stroke 5 months after chemo for bowel cancer.  Things were slowly looking up the boom, I had the stroke.  Thankfully I was at home and my wife noticed straight away and called an ambulance.

Due to where we live it took 40 mins to arrive, then they confirmed what my wife was thinking and took me straight to the Vic in Kirkcaldy.

After a CT scan they discovered it was actually a bleed to the brain and I needed an op immediately (that meant being transferred to ERI).  There were delays at the Vic, and somewhere along the way we lost a couple of hours (can't help but think things may have been slightly different if they hadn't stalled). 

Anyway, after an op and 18 staples, I was cared for in ERI (amazing team), I was there for 10 days then moved to ward 42 at the Vic.  Ward 42 was rather distressing due to rude staff (swearing at me) and could never get a member of staff when needed (despite pressing the buzzer).  On one occasion a nurse come in and switched buzzer off and said they would be back in a minute, at least 20 minutes later they still weren't back so I therefore had to shout (my door was open). 

After 4 long distressing days I was then moved to the Sir George Sharp unit in Cameron and the team were amazing!  They took time to know each patient and the needs of every patient, absolute credit to the NHS!

After 6 weeks I was then discharged, I couldn't of done it without that great team! I'm now home and adapting to new ways but doing great.