GYM INSTRUCTOR, 40, RETURNED TO WORK 6 WEEKS AFTER STROKE
John tells how pioneering op saved life
A FITNESS instructor has told how an NHS procedure saved his life after he suffered a stroke at the gym.
John Chadwick was moving some weights when he began to feel faint.
The 40-year-old went outside to get some fresh air, but fell to the ground and was unable to use his radio to contact his colleague – which made him think something was wrong.
John, from Oakhill, managed to get to his feet and alerted another member of staff who suspected a stroke and called an ambulance.
He was rushed to the Royal Stoke University Hospital where it was confirmed he had suffered from an anterior circulation stroke.
He underwent life-saving thrombectomy surgery that night which saw a blood clot removed from his brain within minutes.
John was back in work six weeks later in February 2019.
He has now praised the Royal Stoke which is highlighting its work as pioneers of the treatment as new figures show only 20% of patients in the UK have access to the service.
He said: “En route to the hospital my face dropped so it was obvious what was happening to me. After scans and tests it was confirmed I had suffered from an anterior circulation stroke. That night I was sent to theatre and had thrombectomy surgery.
“This surgery was amazing – I was up and about the next day and was able to be discharged. I have never been ill so for me this was a really shocking time. With the help of rehabilitation I was back in work within six weeks.
“The surgery really is remarkable and it ultimately saved my life.”
Thrombectomy is a procedure used to treat stroke patients at University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM), which involves using a specially-designed clot removal device inserted through a catheter to pull out the clot to restore blood flow. It can significantly reduce the severity of disability a stroke can cause to patients.
Another patient who has benefited is Samantha Greatbatch, who suffered a severe anterior circulation stroke in March 2022.
Samantha, age 56, from Stoke, said: “I woke up in the morning and couldn’t stand at all. I knew straight away something wasn’t right and I needed to get to hospital quickly. Within a few hours of having my scans I was sent straight to theatre for the thrombectomy treatment which has been lifesaving for me.
“The surgery was a great success and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the treatment available to me. Everyone that helped to save me were amazing.” UHNM is one of a select few hospitals providing 24/7 mechanical thrombectomy and is seeing and treating patients faster, with response times exceeding national targets.
Dr Indira Natarajan, clinical director for neurosciences, said: “Response times have been significantly reduced with the advancement of artificial intelligence in brain imaging which means patients are receiving their treatment earlier and faster.”
Although Stoke-on-trent and Staffordshire patients are benefiting, 80 per cent of patients in the UK currently miss out on this life-changing service.
Dr Sanjeev Nayak, consultant interventional neuroradiologist, has been actively supporting the ‘Saving Brains’ campaign run by the Stroke Association. Dr Nayak said: “Stroke thrombectomy is the most innovative treatment discovered in the last 50 years and UHNM are proud to have been it’s the pioneers since 2009.”