Stroke survivor reveals lasting impact of her frightening ordeal shown on 24 Hours In A&E – after she fell out of her car and was rushed to hospital
A stroke survivor who faced a frightening ordeal in the latest episode of 24 Hours In A&E has revealed she ‘doesn’t remember anything’.
Heather, 65, was rushed to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham on the Channel 4 show after being found collapsed in the park.
She had woken up that day perfectly well, but fell out of her car on the way to walk her dog in Arnot Hill Park, and was thought to have hit her head.
Having suffered three heart attacks in the past, her son Andrew, a nurse at the hospital, was understandably concerned, even saying, ‘there’s a real possibility mum’s not going to survive this’.
He said the side of Heather’s face had been drooping when he found her and, together, with her slurred speech, doctors assumed she was suffering a stroke.
Eventually, after two CT scans, they found a blood clot on her brain, eventually having emergency thrombectomy surgery.
She was seen being rushed into the operating theatre, with Andrew left wondering if it would be the ‘last time’ he would ever see her.
But right at the end of the programme, Heather spoke directly to the camera for the first time to discuss her amazing recovery, admitting she had no memories of the ordeal.
Heather, 65, was rushed to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham on the Channel 4 show after being found collapsed in the park
She said: ‘I don’t remember anything at all about the stroke, going into hospital, being in hospital or anything.
‘My recovery process for me, I think it’s been really slow, but for the stroke team, they keep coming in and going “oh my gosh, you’re doing so well!”‘
Speaking of her son, she added: ‘I burst with pride with Andrew. He is my greatest achievement, and I don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for him.’
Heather was also seen in cheery spirits, once more walking her dog alongside Andrew following her six-day hospital stay and successful surgery.
The programme showed the close bond between the mother and son.
Andrew described how Heather was ‘such a character’ and would ‘always put people first’.
Heather had joined the army when she left school and was posted abroad to Cyprus before moving to Doncaster and settling down.
But when Andrew was a teenager, her health began to decline – having an initial heat attack while he was staying with his dad, and another one due to her stressful work as a medical rep.
But right at the end of the programme, Heather (pictured) spoke directly to the camera for the first time to discuss her amazing recovery, admitting she had no memories of the ordeal
Heather (pictured being rushed to hospital) had woken up that day perfectly well, but fell out of her car on the way to walk her dog in Arnot Hill Park, and was thought to have hit her head
Andrew recalled how he had been told he’d be lucky if she was able to live for another five years.
During the programme, Heather was rushed into the A&E department with a suspected stroke.
An initial CT scan showed no results, but she soon began to worsen and became increasingly incoherent.
Andrew said: ‘I was very scared, you do feel quite helpless. There was a real possibility that mum’s not going to survive this.’
According to the Stroke Association, many people have problems with their memory after a stroke, especially in the first weeks and months.
This can affect both long and short term memory, and people may find themselves forgetting a recent conversation, but recalling an event from decades ago.
Common symptoms of a stroke include sudden weakness or numbness in areas of the body.
Those affected may feel confused or have trouble speaking, as Heather did on the programme.
Eventually, after two CT scans, they found a blood clot on her brain, eventually having emergency thrombectomy surgery. Heather (pictured) was seen being rushed into the operating theatre, with Andrew left wondering if it would be the ‘last time’ he would ever see her
Heather was also seen in cheery spirits, once more walking her dog alongside Andrew following her six-day hospital stay and successful surgery
Common risk factors may include age, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Elsewhere, the episode heard from domestic cleaner Deanna, a long-serving member of the A&E team, who shared her struggles in early life.
She told how she had overcome an 11-year addiction, which began when she met a partner who had ‘gone the wrong way’ in life.
The fly on the wall series documents a snapshot of time in one of the busiest major trauma centres in Europe
The programme moved to Nottingham in 2021 after 10 years in London.
24 Hours In A&E is available to watch on Channel 4 now.
