"Husbands hospital stay, rehab and recovery."

My husband sadly had a heart attack at the end of April 2024, which resulted in him needing bowel surgery and he also suffered a spinal stroke. 

We were in Plymouth when he had the heart attack and bowel surgery, and his spinal stroke diagnosed. He remained an inpatient at Derriford Hospital until the end of June. All care in ICU, cardiac and gastro wards was excellent. Plus help from occasional physio sessions they were able to do while he remained on the Gastro Ward. The hardest part was the longer, unnecessary stay in Plymouth, sadly due to miscommunication, and the difficult process they had to follow to arrange for my husband to be transferred back to our local Worcester Hospital and confirming a bed being available for him.

He was finally transferred to the Acute Stroke Unit, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, at the end of June. Then, after a prompt and thorough assessment by the Consultant and Physios, it was decided that his recovery rehab would be best to continue at Evesham Community Hospital, Abbott Ward, where he was transferred to after just 3 days.

When my husband was transferred to Evesham Hospital, Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, he was unable to get to standing. After discussions he had with the Physiotherapy Team, giving his aim to stand and be able to make steps, a plan was made and started immediately. 

He then had daily physio rehab sessions during the week. As he gradually made positive progress gaining the ability to stand with assistance and eventually taking steps using a gutter frame, he also started having occupational therapy sessions to aid improving his ability to undertake daily living tasks. All the Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists were fantastic. They helped support my husband through highs and lows. Always encouraging him to work hard and persevere with his rehab sessions, which have given him amazing results. His level of recovery was/is unknown, especially as they informed us that spinal strokes are rare too and they have seen very few patients with this type of stroke. But the Inpatient Therapy Team never tired in helping him to make the most of his rehab. 

Alongside supporting my husband through his rehab journey, they also helped me through the ups and downs we experienced, which they said was quite normal and to be expected, which was reassuring. I also attended the Family Stroke Education & Support Group, which I was unsure about going to, but I am so pleased I did. I felt at ease during the session, everything was clear and easy to understand. All questions were answered, however big or small, and they aimed to be specific to spinal stroke, being slightly different to other more common types of stroke. Also, alot of information for future support and assistance that could be accessed, and how support the patients long term recovery once at home.

Abbott Ward were very welcoming towards my husband and myself. Ward managers, all nurses, health care assistants were very caring, helpful and supportive. Hospitality and cleaning teams also very friendly and do a great job. 

I can honestly say, during my husbands stay, the atmosphere at Evesham Community Hospital had been very friendly and definitely has a community feel. Even walking around the hospital staff will speak when passing by.

We have both made friends we will always remember from this very difficult part of our lives, making an awful experience much easier to deal with. 

He was discharged home in November, which happened after having a pre-discharge meeting to discuss plans to be put in place and also a trial home visit for my husband to ensure equipment provided was adequate.

I felt it an appropriate time for me to write about our experience, now that my husband has been home for 2 months. Our lives have completely changed, but the teams at Evesham have certainly helped him to regain and improve his mobility, and achieve his aim to stand, be making steps and therefore walking with assistance. I can say that at times I was unsure that I would see him get back onto his feet again, but with his determination and the rehab and support that has been provided, this has made our outlook for the future much more positive. And my husband is still making further progress since being under the care of the Community Stroke Team. 

A big thank you to all staff that have cared and supported us both.