Survivor tells how blood clot surgery saved his life

Robert Baldock, 53, a digital solutions designer from East Lothian, suffered a severe stroke last year which left him with significant communication difficulties. Thrombectomy became Robert’s only chance of survival.

He said: “I couldn’t move or speak. A scan revealed a large clot had caused my stroke. Normally you would have a clot busting drug to dissolve the clot and restore blood flow to the brain.

“However I was told this treatment wasn’t going to be effective for me. My carer Sharon and friends told to prepare for the worst. Things didn’t look good at all. My only option was a thrombectomy. Thankfully, I was able to have the thrombectomy that saved my life. For me there was no alternative.”