Girlfriend’s heartbreak over stroke tragedy
AGONY AFTER SUDDEN DEATH OF BOYFRIEND
THE girlfriend of a man who died following a sudden stroke has spoken of her heartbreak.
Luca Sportelli appeared to be well as he and partner Lisa Bohm relaxed at their home – but just hours later she found herself giving consent for major surgery at Salford Royal Hospital.
Luca, 47, suffered a severe stroke at home, which led to a large blood clot on his brain. He was at their flat near Salford Quays when he shouted to Lisa that he had fallen and couldn’t get up.
Luca, who lost control of the left side of his body, was rushed to hospital at around 9pm.
Lisa, 35, says she was told the bleed on Luca’s brain was worse than expected at around 2am. She was told there was nothing more doctors could do around 25 minutes later. Luca died the next day. Now Lisa has spoken of her heartbreak. She’s devastated she never got the chance to say goodbye.
“It was so sudden, it was so quick and it was so massive,” she said.
“The doctors said he was just so incredibly unlucky.
“A blood vessel in his brain burst. It was nothing caused by blood pressure or anything like that.”
Luca, who worked as a freelancer in the computer industry, was born and raised in Manchester, but briefly moved to Italy as a child where he had family.
He returned to Manchester where he met Lisa in 2013. Described as an ‘absolute nerd’ with a passion for computers and IT, Luca also loved producing music.
Lisa, who owns a digital marketing business, said: “He might not have been there mentally, he might have been unconscious, but I would have liked to say goodbye if I had have had the chance.
“Instead of planning birthdays or holidays, we are finding ourselves planning a funeral in the middle of a pandemic after I suddenly lost my partner of seven years. It will still take some time until I can accept or understand it. Every time there is a sound in the flat, I keep forgetting he’s not around any more.”
Lisa has set up a Gofundmepage to help pay an artist to paint a photograph of her with Luca on holiday in Germany. It is also hoped a portrait will be given to Luca’s mother.
Any additional funds will go to the Stroke Association charity and an urn bracelet or cremation ring. Lisa added: “Hug all your loved ones, please. Life is unfair and I have learnt this summer how fast things can change. Please don’t wait to start living your life.”