I was a local policeman around here a few years ago, but since I retired I’ve done various jobs. Most recently I delivered new cars and vans around the country, then I’d jump on the train back before going to the next place. So I was doing that during the week in June 2024 when this all happened. I returned to London by train and my wife said to get an Uber home, as I wasn’t feeling particularly well. So I got home to South Norwood and apparently had a bath, but I don’t remember anything about that. My wife said she had to get into the bath to get me out and then put me to bed. Apparently I was delirious, and she was so worried that at 2am she got an uber and we went to Croydon hospital where they admitted me to ITU.
A few weeks later I was due to be transferred to Kings for an operation on my heart, but on the Friday, before I was due to be transferred on Monday, the surgeons said they weren’t going to operate as I only had a 20% chance, and I wasn’t strong enough. On the Monday they re-assessed me and said I now had a 50/50 chance, so I was transferred to Kings, basically in an induced coma, where they did a mitral valve replacement in my heart.
Fairly shortly afterwards I had a sepsis shower which can be fatal and that’s what caused the stroke. I had some sort of kidney infection as well and I was on dialysis for weeks.
I discussed this with the cardiac team at Kings on the phone the other day. And apparently all around then I was convinced I was being held against my will, in a confined space and being forced to work during the night. I had been hallucinating around being in the ICU at Kings and going through tunnels for MRI scans. They said it was very common. If I was still having these dreams then there would be PTSD involved, but I’m not, I’m dreaming nicely now.
I was in hospital for three or four months. They transferred me back to Croydon hospital from HDU in Kings. I was expecting to be on the stroke ward but I was on general ward as there wasn’t enough space. I still got physio support though and they got me up and walking with a zimmer frame. I was lucky to get a place at QEF in November.
“QEF is a state-of-the-art facility, with a dedicated work force who work tirelessly to improve your recovery.”
When I came here I was mainly focused on my walking, but I also had problems with my swallowing after eating, and I’m still not right talking, especially after food and things like that. The Speech and Language team here took me to Epsom and Ewell where I had a fancy X-ray on my throat which was very interesting. I had to drink different thicknesses of liquid and there was a TV screen where we watched the food go down. It almost got to the stomach and then up it would come up again, so reflux basically. My swallowing is still not quite right.
The Physios and OTs here have been great. I’ve mainly been doing walking with the physios – I don’t use a zimmer frame anymore, I use 2 ski poles and a 4 wheeled-walker for outside. I am having one delivered home as well. They push you to get on with it here and encouraged me to go outside.
My balance is pretty good. We did some discharge notes today with the physio and it’s not good but it’s not too bad – she’s not especially worried. I always think it’s like driving, you know, you never quite drive until you pass your test. It needs practice.
The Psychology team also ran a bank of cognitive tests with me when I first got here, but there weren’t a great deal of problems. I find it interesting though, the tests are quite black and white, with very little grey areas.
I’ve been working with OT as well, as my left hand still isn’t massively good. I haven’t got much of a grip. I wasn’t able to use it when I came here and part of my left arm is still numb, but it’s not half as bad as others. I can grip bigger things and I am hoping to be able to grip a golf club at some point! I struggle with narrower things though.
The OT here has done alot of work on my hands, immersing them in hot water and massaging them. Bit like those heat gloves you get. My hands have been really sore recently, they are improving, but it’s slow. I can extend my fingers well. I need to try and force them down the other way where it tapers into your hand. All around my palm is so sore but I’ll keep the exercises up.
I’ve been playing golf all my life really and I’ve played lots of places around Surrey. It will be great to get out there again. I can use the buggy to get around too if I have to. I organise a golf trip to Turkey every year. Obviously wasn’t able to go in November last year, but this year I’ve paid my deposit and I’m going no matter what happens! It’s a great goal to aim for. I intend to do a golf day locally to raise funds for QEF as well.
My goal is to get home, keep practicing my walking, moving my arm, and get to golf in November. My wife lives in South Norwood and I’ve lived in Cardiff for the past three years, after moving to London in 1977. I’m desperate to get back to Cardiff. My wife has just decided to retire so we’re looking forward to getting on with our lives together in Cardiff.
I’ve loved sitting here and seeing the birds on the bird feeder, I’ve seen so many types of birds. A client donated the bird feeder apparently and I know several people have really enjoyed watching and maybe feeding the birds.
It’s been a great 4 months here. A week or 2 into my stay the carers said I was going to a meeting to sort a place at the Wolfson which I wasn’t expecting, but apparently the original idea was that I was only an interim placement with QEF. But because of the waiting list for the Wolfson I finished my rehabilitation here. I preferred to stay here though, the thought of going back to a ward again after being here didn’t appeal.
