I have had a little stroke and I am incarcerated in Draycott Ward, in Weston General Hospital. I am likely to be here for a little while. The sequence of events on the morning of Thursday 24 March is still quite vivid to me. Stroke momentWednesday is my wife Barbara's day off, and as usual we had had a super day enjoying each other's company. We had swum nearly 90 lengths at the local pool, had lunch, and then enjoyed the delights of the weekly shopping. In the evening, we both had a couple of stiff (very stiff) brandies and went to bed reasonably early. It was lights out around midnight. At around 2.30am I roused, as you do, needing to go to the toilet. I plodded to the bathroom and sat on the throne, as is my wont. It was then that I felt myself sliding forwards, and I knew instantly that I would be powerless to stop myself. Imperceptibly, but almost inexorably, I slumped forwards, banging my head on the floor tiles. That was it - stroke moment! I couldn't lift myself back up. Hospital arrivalShortly afterwards, Barbara shouted to see if I was alright, and then came to check on me. But she was unable to get me back on my feet and into bed. Realising the urgency of the situation, Babs called for an ambulance, which arrived fairly quickly. Like all the staff here, the paramedics were extremely competent and professional. We arrived here at about 4am. On arrival, the duty doctor quickly diagnosed a stroke, as Babs had thought. This was proved correct within a few hours, following a CT scan. Fighting talkThis mixed ward is full of people recovering from the affects of strokes. Fortunately, I think, mine is a relatively minor one. It is quite frightening and makes one think about one's own mortality. The food here is first class, and the care and attention is faultless. I can't really feed myself at the moment, but being spoon-fed three hot meals a day by the nurses is some compensation! Since last Thursday, the cards, phone calls, e-mails and visits from friends have overwhelmed me. It is wonderful to know so many people care. Naturally, a stroke is a frightening experience, but I am determined to fight and overcome whatever it throws at me, and make a full recovery. | 
