"Stroke victim with incredible recovery story"

I was doing my jigsaw puzzle in the dining room, went to check my phone and I couldn’t make sense of it. Told my husband, who found everything fine on the phone. I couldn’t make sense of what was on the TV either nor could I complete sentences. 

My husband phoned our daughter, who is a medical professional and recognised the stroke signs. She drove over immediately, 15 mins,  and called the ambulance. By this time I didn’t know who my husband or my daughter was!

After about 1.5 hours the ambulance arrived, assessed the situation and I was transported to Musgrove Hospital in Taunton. Taken straight for a scan then into A&E. Blood pressure was so elevated, they were unable to administer clot buster drug. With just 8 minutes to go in the safe window, the medical team had reduced my BP to acceptable level. 

I Still didn’t know my husband and didn’t know where I was. After a while I was transferred to Dunkerley Ward and placed in the Acute bay.

My husband, daughter & granddaughter left at 01:30 am. They returned at 09:00 and I saw them at the doorway and recognised them enough to wave.

The next 48 hours were a whirlwind of absolutely amazing medical care, to the point that I was discharged into the care of the community stroke team. By the time I left the ward I could recount all my children, husband and grandchildren’s names, my birthday and my address. This was nothing short of miraculous and I want big shout out for the ambulance team, who I think were from Burnham on Sea, the medical team in the A&E and Dunkerly wards. Without their very dedicated, professional compassionate care I don’t think I would be writing this.

Since getting home I have been wonderfully supported by the community stroke team with home visits from a physio, OT and speech therapists with a phone call from a nurse. On top of all this medical  support came family, son flying in from the USA, church friends from UK, Australia, NZ and the USA to give practical and prayer support. Thank you is insufficient to all involved.

I cannot recall the names of the terrific paramedics, A&E staff or those on Dunkerley, but I would give them a virtual hug and say a big thank you. Please if possible make sure they get to read this.