"Mad as a box of frogs"

I had two acute strokes and was initially paralysed down my left hand side. At the start, I was devastated but determined to make a full recovery, regardless of the initial clinical assessment of my chances .

Following surgery, I was admitted to to Ward 7  of Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride where I stayed for four months until I was physically ready for discharge . I have nothing but praise for the nursing staff in ward 7. They are a diverse group of people with a fantastic mix of skills and experience. Collectively I would describe them as mad as a box of frogs and their humour, compassion and humanity made the four month stay as bearable and enjoyable as possible.Working with stroke patients must be a special challenge; especially immediately post stroke when patients can struggle to understand and make sense of what has happened to them.This team rose to that challenge beautifully and aided my recovery as best as they could. Over the four month stay I got to know a few of them reasonably well and not a day goes by when I don’t miss them :