Joan

Joan, my wife, had a bad stroke last month.

There are different types of strokes. 85% are caused by blood clots, which, if treated quickly with the latest block destroying drugs can lead to a quick and near full recovery.

The other 10-15% are caused by spikes in Blood Pressure, most prevalent in older people. These spikes in pressure rupture the blood vessel at the site flooding and killing the surrounding brain cells. this is what happened to Joan.

I have spent the best part of three weeks visiting her in a hospital in Bristol where they had to operate on her to put a drain into her brain to relieve pressure. she survived that and the subsequent removal of it. Last thursday she was moved back to Taunton main hospital. Easier to get to for me.

She is having hydration issues at present. When she is fully hydrated she is quite talkative and showing a keen interest in her surroundings. Dehydrated, her blood pressure drops alarmingly and she falls into a deep sleep. Twice now they have had to put her on a drip.

still, she is alive. hopefully she will make a good recovery. Totally paralized down the left hand side of her body. That may improve. Who knows?