Couple are so grateful after recovery from bleed on brain
A GREAT-grandmother who fell into a coma after suffering a bleed on the brain on holiday has made a staggering recovery – one year after her family were told she was dying.
Peter Austin, 61, said he was told there was “no chance” his wife Deb would recover after suffering a bleed on the brain in Kos in October 2020.
Deb, 55, who previously suffered an aneurysm, started having a “throbbing headache” and was transported by air ambulance to Athens for further tests.
She was in a coma for several weeks before she was eventually brought back to the UK on November 10, 2020, to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
After a brain scan, Peter was told the mum-of-three was “essentially dying” and the family were told to come back and say their goodbyes.
But remarkably, Deb’s condition gradually began to improve and five weeks later she was home for Christmas.
Now one year on, Peter said his wife Deb has continued to improve though still needs assistance with some things and can’t walk too far.
He said: “Deb is not doing too bad, she can get around the house more or less unaided but she needs assistance with certain things.
“As for getting outside the house, she can walk to the car and back but she can’t really do a great deal more other than that without me being there.
“It was about November 19, 20, when they said there was not much hope- just look at her now. The likelihood is that Deb won’t be able to work again, it’s her goal to be able to get fit enough to go back to work but realistically it’s not going to be in the near future.
“She does get frustrated at times but we’re just glad she’s still here.”
Peter described how their lives have completely changed following Deb’s bleed on the brain and said he believes everything is only now catching up with him.
He said: “Looking back I don’t know how I did it, now the slightest problem bothers me and I’m thinking what am I going to do? But I just think back to before I say to myself it can’t be that bad!
“Our lives have changed so much, I think it’s caught up with me.”
Peter has recently returned to work with family and friends chipping in to help Deb when needed, with the family saying they don’t “take anything for granted now”.
He said: “It’s been really hard for me because I’ve never really left her side but I have to give her that independence.
“I’ve had to come to terms with the fact I’m fairly fit and active but Deb isn’t.
“We never take anything for granted now, it’s changed my outlook on life. I will question things a lot more now.
“She loves seeing the grandkids and her great-grandson who took his first steps on his birthday. We’re just appreciating what we have got, Deb is still here and that’s the most important thing.”
Deb, who was previously a fire station cleaner, and Peter are now looking forward to spending Christmas at home with their dog Lexi.