History of Andrew in Hospital so far

Andrew was taken into the Luton & Dunstable hospital on the morning of Thursday 5th February, after I had had difficulty waking him - he couldn't focus his eyes, wasn't speaking properly and when he eventually did get up to go to the loo, I found him hanging onto the edge of the sink. This was at about 8.30. He had been wide awake at about 6am; we had had a conversation about the snow and I had brought him a cup of tea, and I had decided to work at home - he had gone back to sleep and I was trying to get him up because a tradesman had come round to look at our drains. I dialled 999 and a paramedic was there within 10 mins but the ambulance was despatched from Ampthill ( they had had to dig the snow away for it to get out). All the emergency staff were absolutely wonderful - lets face it they had all got into work and were having to drive in awful conditions. For the last third of the journey we went in with the blue light on which was very scary and he went straight into resus, where they did loads of tests and asked me loads of questions all of which pointed to it not being an "ordinary" stroke. He had 2 CAT scans which failed to find much. The stroke consultant came to look at him and decided not to give him clot busting drugs; he admitted him to the stroke ward. I went home about 6pm when he was asleep, I thought he looked comfortable and would be having an MRI the next day . I called the hospital at 10.30pm; they said he was very poorly & had gone down for a 3rd CAT scan. Friends Rory & Doreen took me back to the L&D, where we were told that they thought he had a "brain stem infarct" cause by a clot and that the next 24-48 hrs were "acute". This was very very frightening. Doreen stayed with me all night at the hospital, by the side of the bed, I am so grateful for having such a wonderful friend. In the morning Rory came back.

Andrew woke when the sister put something in his mouth to moisten it. This was a huge relief. He recognised all of us. He has been making improvements since, and is now recognising most people who go to see him. The monitors are all off; his arms and legs are fine; he is able to walk (albeit a little unsteady). Since coming off the nil by mouth on Monday he has been eating heartily, unaided. However, he is a bit confused and his voice is weak; he sometimes says things that are a bit unconnected to anything e.g. "basilica" or "St Stephens Day". He seems to think he was about 17. He has forgotten he is vegetarian, and is happily eating stuff with meat in unless I get to it first. However, he knows he plays guitar and is making quite strong connections with music. He has asked about his mum and dad and I haven't been able to tell him that his dad has died. He did not know where "home" was, and I have had to explain. Although he knows I am Gill he was surprised to find I was his wife and said so "that's why you're here I thought you were my friend's wife". I hope he's not too disappointed in his new-found wife!
So many people have sent texts and emails and best wishes that I cannot get round to thank you all yet. It really is wonderful to have so much support, and I am very very grateful for it.