Quick-thinking wife saves stroke victim (From Thurrock Gazette)

Quick-thinking wife saves stroke victim

8:00am Sunday 22nd April 2012 in News

A STROKE victim was able to have “miracle” treatment that saved his life thanks to the quick thinking of his wife.

Staff at Basildon Hospital have hailed the quick actions of Beryl Toombs, 69, who recognised the symptoms of a stroke, the third largest cause of death in the UK, on Norman, 68, after he collapsed.

The early call for help meant Norman, who will make a full recovery, could undergo thrombosis treatment which has been described as “miraculous”.

Beryl, of Golding Crescent, Stanford-Le-Hope, said: “We were watching EastEnders and I saw Norman collapse.

“His arm was a bit limp and I asked him what was on the tele. He couldn’t tell me so I rang for an ambulance, despite him saying he was OK.

“When we got to the hospital they told me he had a clot on the brain. They asked me to sign a form, giving my consent for him to have thrombosis treatment.

“It was frightening when you read it, as these things are. But I knew he wouldn’t want to be in a vegetative state. I’m so grateful I did sign the form. The treatment was amazing. I saw a miracle happen. The staff at the hospital were fantastic, too.”

Beryl, who is disabled after being hit by a car when she was 29, said: “People need to realise if they get to hospital quickly, they can be saved.”

Beth Smyth, lead nurse for strokes at Basildon Hospital, said: “It was the quick reactions of Mrs Toombs that enabled Mr Toombs to have this treatment.

“Thrombosis treatment is a clot busting drug. It can only be used within four-and-a-half hours of a stroke.

“The biggest problem we have is that often, patients wait too long before coming into hospital.

“We have on average 40 patients admitted with strokes each month, but only seven or eight are able to have this treatment as they arrive too late. We urge patients to act quickly.”

Strokes, the largest cause of adult disability in the UK, can starve parts of the brain of oxygen which leads to potential brain damage.

The quick provision of treatment also decreased the risk of Norman having a further more serious stroke.