Baby for stroke woman saved by husband after doctors wanted to let her die
A STROKE victim who doctors believed would never survive when she was in a coma has fully recovered and given birth – after her husband refused to switch off her life support.
Beatrice Way, 42, was left unconscious after a stroke and cardiac arrest triggered by a hidden heart defect. Her husband Alexander was asked for his permission to let her die, but he was ‘adamant’ that more efforts should be made to save her.
Six years later, his wife has made an astonishing recovery, and the couple have a healthy baby girl.
Mr Way, 44, recalled the moment doctors at Princess Alexandra Hoswas pital in Harlow, Essex, told him they thought his wife’s life support should be turned off. ‘I was stunned, angry and felt they were ending my wife’s life without considering further treatment,’ he said.
‘I was adamant more could be done. However, the doctors insisted Beatrice had very little brain response and there was no way she could ever improve. If she did wake up at all she would barely respond to others. She would also be blind.
‘In no uncertain terms I told them, “Don’t switch off my wife’s life support”. I was in shock. Beatrice’s stroke was on a Thursday and she
in a coma by Saturday afternoon. I wasn’t told until Monday. They just said she was sleeping.’
Within a day of his protests, Mrs Way was transferred to a neurosurgical unit to be treated by specialist brain surgeons. They removed 40 per cent of her skull to relieve pressure on her swollen brain.
The piece of bone was transplanted into her abdomen for six weeks to preserve it, giving her brain room to recover, before being refitted. Without the operation, the pressure on her brain is likely to have killed her.
The couple, who have a home in Morar, the Highlands, were moving into their other home in Ugley, Essex, when Mrs Way had a stroke followed by a cardiac arrest.
‘I felt ill and that I was falling but I managed to call out to Alexander,’ she said. ‘I showed all the signs of a stroke. My next memory is waking four weeks later in hospital. I am so grateful to Alexander for questioning the doctors who thought my life was over. He saved my life.’
Months of physiotherapy helped Mrs Way overcome the paralysis caused by the stroke.
The couple were advised not to have children, but their dream of becoming parents was realised last June with the arrival of Rosemary.
Mrs Way added: ‘Every day is a reminder of how lucky we are.’
Neurosurgeon Ian Low, who treated her, said: ‘She has made a superb recovery – so much so, she is now mum to a healthy baby girl. We deem that a wonderful result.’
‘Thought my life was over’