999 Critical Condition: UHNM pioneering thrombestomy service give young stroke patient back her life
UHNM’s pioneering stroke mechanical thrombectomy service has given a 38-year-old single mother her life back after she suffered a stroke in her sleep.
Fiona Grant, of Wolverhampton, woke up one morning unable to speak or move her left side and was featured in last night’s episode of 999: Critical Condition, the hard-hitting documentary filmed exclusively at Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Today UHNM doctors warned that stroke can happen at any age and it is important to recognise the symptoms and act FAST so rapid treatment can be provided and reduce the chance of devastating disabilities.
Fiona, a healthcare assistant did recognise her symptoms straight away and today said: “I remember waking up and my arm was dead and my left side wasn’t moving. I thought someone was in the bed next to me and then realised it was my own hand. I couldn’t speak and when I tried to shout out all I could manage was a little noise. Eventually my son came in and saw me and realised I couldn’t talk. He put a pen in the hand which I could move and I was able to write down ‘I am having a stroke’.
“He tried to help me out of bed and I look back and think it was so stupid because I’m not sure we knew what would happen next. But he rang my next of kin and 999 for an ambulance.”
After originally going to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton it was clear mum-of-two Fiona would be suitable for pioneering stroke mechanical thrombectomy service at Royal Stoke and was transferred by ambulance. Fiona remembers being told that time was of the essence.
“In the ambulance I remember being told that I had a limited time to get to Stoke and that the doctor was waiting for me and started to explain the procedure and the next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room.”
While still suffering some long-lasting effects of the stroke such as migraines and body aches, Fiona has made a recovery and said: “The care I received at Stoke was fantastic. I cannot find the words to explain how I feel about the doctors and nurses who have given me the normal life I have today. My thanks goes to the whole unit for giving me back my life and I wish that anyone else in the same position as me has the opportunity to get the same treatment at the time they need it. I am really grateful to be alive.”
Royal Stoke is one of only two hospitals in the country which is able to provide thrombectomy within 24 hours of a stroke happening, although for the best outcome for patients it is best to happen within four to six hours.
In the episode Dr Sanjeev Nayak, interventional neuroradiologist, who treated Fiona said: “It’s pretty rare for someone to have a stroke but young strokes are a reality. Stroke is not just a disease of old people, it does also affect young people and can result in a life changing disability if it’s not treated and worst case scenario the patient will die.”
Today he added: “Stroke in young people can be far more devastating and that’s why it is essential that people recognise the symptoms so we can provide rapid treatment where possible.”
The three most common signs of stroke include facial and arm weakness and speech problems but there are other signs that should be taken seriously. These include numbness on the one side of the body, sudden blurred vision or loss of sight, sudden memory loss or confusion and sudden severe headache.
All episode of the current series of 999:CriticalCondition can be viewed on demand at My5.