Sunday, January 31, 2010

Visitors Chris and Mike, Dave and Kerri, Charlotte and Ian, plus Lottie and Dan

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Ian and Karin, Chris and Mike visit again

Friday, January 29, 2010

In the Hallamshire I was seen by Dr Burns in the early hours of the morning, lots of tests carried out including lights in the eyes, reflex's and it was at this point I noticed the lack of sensitivity to pin pricks on my left side and the same problem with feeling cold things. Dr Burns then explains it is a life changing event not just some sort of funny turn. At this point I also had my NG tube fitted it took 3 goes and then a chest x ray to confirm it was in the right location. I also had a saline drip attached to my left arm. CT scan and MRI scan then follow and I'm moved to the acute stroke ward L1 and the conclusion is a right vertebral artery dissection has resulted in a right lateral medullary infarct! .

Thinking back I reckon I did the damage earlier in the week with an awkward fall that jarred my neck, I then had a few headaches above my right eye over the week along with some neck pain on the same side which I put down to some work I was doing on spreadsheets. Then being upside down and twisting my neck on the problem at The Works caused the clot.

I cant walk, swallow, my left side feels odd, and my voice sounds strange ( wet sounding as I cant swallow my own saliva, lovely!) and most of all I feel exhausted. I remember thinking at this point first of all I'll get my swallowing sorted then I'll concentrate on starting to walk again . .

Thursday, January 28, 2010

I left work early to visit Marc who is recovering from pneumonia, then up to my Mum's to check she was OK. the intention was then to head out into the Peak with Peggy and make use of my new lantern for a little evening climbing. however the weather was grim so after a quick dog walk i arranged to meet up with Dave and Si at The Works in Sheffield.

After a few warm up problems we moved onto the Skips and did a steep upside down sort of problem, next we moved on to the Competition Wall and after a couple of problems on the left hand side we moved to the very steep roof on the far right. The problem I tried had an awkward reach round a volume on the underside of the roof. I worked out how to get across to a good hold on the lip of the roof and dropped off onto the crash mats where I felt a little faint. I'd had this feeling lots of times before when bouldering as for some reason when concentrating hard you sometimes forget to breath so I thought that after a quick sit down I'd feel fine. But if anything i started to feel worse it was suggested I perhaps hadnt eaten or drank enough that day and Dave and Si gave me some water and a cereal bar, at this point I began to feel as if my voice was changing and as soon as I tried to eat the cereal bar i realised I couldn't swallow and the decision was made to call 999.

A kind member of staff from the works suggests I wait for the Ambulance in the little shop near the entrance and its at this point I realise I cant walk. My legs move but I cant stand up straight so it takes someone each side to help me. I seem to want to fall to the right.

By this time I pretty scared but everyone seems to be very calm and reassuring which is a great help. The ambulance seems to arrive very quickly and I'm soon being wheeled on board. Dave travels with me to A&E at the Northern and calls Karin to let her know what's happening. Si goes to rescue the dog from the car. I remember lots of tests in A&E but before too long Karin arrives just as I'm being asked to stick asprin up my a*se! The decision is then taken to transfer me to the Hallamshire.