A fight for survival
- From :
- Wellington.enquiryhelpline@hcahealthcare.co.uk
- Date :
- 29 January 2008 10:55:06 GMT
- Subject :
- CEO
- To :
- All employees
I am sorry to inform you all that our CEO suffered a major stroke on Friday evening... completely unexpected and we have no knowledge of when, or if, he will return to work...
You don't expect to have a stroke when you are perfectly fit and just over 50. But that's exactly what happened to the Chief Operating Officer of a major clearing bank when, just before Christmas last year, he found himself fighting for survival after a severe stroke.
"I was extremely lucky to have regained my mental faculties, but two weeks after it happened I could hardly stand up, let alone walk.
Within hours of arriving at The Wellington Neuro Rehab Unit we had begun work with physiotherapists and I began with their help and encouragement to work on my first goal. Within days I wanted to be able to walk - just 20 yards or so but I was determined.
My wife and I were treated as part of the team. We set my goals and almost every day I could see progress. Everything was tailored for me - they challenged me constantly. It was very hard, with up to six therapy sessions a day, but I was well looked after psychologically and because my personal motivation was so high, it worked!
I was so glad to get back to work. I thrive on my job - it's almost therapeutic although I did find it difficult for the first couple of weeks.
30% of stroke victims die. I was very lucky and not least because of the care I experienced at The Wellington."
A True Story, names withheld.
THE FACTS
There are at least two major banks in the City who have had to write a similar email in the last 12 months:
- Each year 10,000 people under the age of 55 suffer a stroke - 1,000 of these are under the age of 30
- Stokes don't have to be a one-way ticket. There are many cases of patients making an almost complete return to life as it was before
- The recovery process depends on two key factors; the immediate care given within the first 24 hours and then the subsequent rehabilitation treatment
- The Neurological rehabilitation is highly specialist and is provided by a dedicated multidisciplinary team. There is limited provision in the UK by international standards
- The Neurological Rehabilitation Unit at The Wellington Hospital is the largest of its kind in the UK and no other private hospital offers a similar facility
