John Gunn

Day One
It was the evening of January 8th 2004. I was in a pub with a few mates from work having some food and a few drinks. I wasn't feeling too well, but I never turned down the chance of food and alcohol with friends. It had been a tiring few days, back to work after a good New Year break. I'd been having headaches on and off for a few days. Nothing new there I thought, I'm always having headaches. It must be because I sit staring at a computer screen all day at work. I didn't intend to stay out long that evening, just long enough to eat and have about 4 pints. In fact, almost every evening had been like that for months. At least eight units of alcohol a night, that's at least 56 units a week. But back then I never thought about units of alcohol. I was very overweight, ate too much bad food, drank far too much beer and wine and spent many evenings in smoky clubs and bars. As I only smoked the occasional cigar, I thought I was okay. Obviously I wasn't. I was a stroke or a heart attack waiting to happen. I just chose to ignore all the warning signs.

Sitting with friends trying to eat, I dropped the fork in my left hand and couldn't pick it up. I changed hands and kept eating with the fork in my right hand. The food fell out of my mouth. My friends worried about me and ignored my slurred protestations. One of them phoned for an ambulance. I sat on the floor of the pub and told anyone that wanted to hear that I was okay really. What happened next is very hazy. All I recall now is someone asking me who I was and where I was. She was trying to keep me awake. I was taken to the Bristol Royal Infirmary. I remember being told that I was being taken to the neurology dept at Frenchay Hospital, a few miles away. After that I remember nothing for about 7-10 days.

During that time I was in the intensive care unit at Frenchay and not expected to leave, except in a box! I had suffered a stroke, a bleed in the right side of my brain caused by a burst aneurysm. I've since been told my blood pressure was 280 over 100 or something high. Somehow the bleed stopped by itself. I had no operations done. However, my left side was totally paralysed. When I eventually came to I was in the acute stroke ward which had the most wonderful team of staff I could imagine. A catheter had been inserted into my penis, so no need to urinate. I couldn't swallow, so I was fed through a tube placed up my nose and down my throat. I can't say I enjoyed that but it was necessary.

My consultant kept me well informed and I saw the speech therapist. She examined my swallowing and suggested I try to eat plain yoghurt at mealtimes as well as continue my tube feeding. And I could now drink water too, such luxury. Movement slowly returned to my left foot and so physiotherapy started. My physio, Kay, was fantastic. She put up with my silly comments during our sessions, especially when I'd be sat on the bed with her feeling my bum to check out how my muscles were doing. In fact all the staff dealt with my strange sense of humour, which I never lost.

Six weeks after my stroke I was moved to Blackberry Hill Hospital, a short way from Frenchay. It had a dedicated stroke rehabilitation ward. When I first got there I thought I'd been moved to an old folks home. But that was just because all of the other patients were over 60 and mostly frail. It really drove home the fact that most strokes occur in older people. It was here the fantastic staff got me moving independently using a walking stick and even had me using the Occupational Therapy kitchen. After another two months it was decided I could go home. I lived alone in a first floor flat so I had to prove I could look after myself to a degree before I could go home. I had a good friend who did my shopping for me when I first got home. I came to rely on her a lot. I am very lucky to have good friends.

From then on I went out of the flat most days, walking a little further each day. Early in June I decided it was time to get back to work. I'd been on full pay for the time off so far but that was due to finish soon. On June 16th, my GP agreed that I could return part time to work. On June 17th I went back to work. I started full time on July 12th, and it's going okay so far. I walk a lot every day, and while my left arm and hand is still reluctant to do too much my ongoing out patient physiotherapy at Bristol General Hospital is helping me greatly. In fact all of the care I received from day one has been exemplary.

Six months after my stroke I feel stronger than before. I've been through very difficult times, only the Big Guy Upstairs knows if there's more to come. I eat healthily, drink a maximum of four units of alcohol a week, don't smoke or spend nights in smoky bars. I have about four cups of coffee a day, but that's less than I used to. I've lost weight too. I'm nearly fit enough to join the local gym. I feel so lucky that this warning was so strong I couldn't ignore it.

I hope my story inspires you. Goodbye and good luck.

John Gunn

Thanks to John for sending in his profile. Anyone else who would like to share their story can send it along with a photograph (if you're not shy!)

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