Woman’s Stroke Survival Highlights Urgency of Recognizing Symptoms

A woman, whose survival from a stroke after experiencing symptoms overnight was deemed miraculous by medical professionals, has highlighted the critical importance of immediate action upon the onset of stroke signs. Dionne Hudson experienced numbness in her arm and an inability to grip a phone. She initially dismissed the possibility of a stroke because her facial features and speech remained unimpaired. Nevertheless, her condition deteriorated significantly by the following morning, leading her to contact 999. She was admitted to a hospital for a CT scan within 25 minutes of her call. The diagnosis revealed she had suffered an ischaemic stroke, resulting in partial paralysis on the left side of her body. Ms Hudson, a 58-year-old resident of Surrey, stated: “The doctors were amazed that I had survived my stroke, as it had actually occurred the night before I called 999.” Mollie Blackman, who works at the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) control centre in Medway, received the emergency call placed by Ms Hudson. Ms Blackman emphasized: “Making that call as soon as you notice any sign of a stroke is so important because the sooner a patient receives life-saving treatment, the greater their chances of recovery.” Medical professionals informed Ms Hudson that her survival from the stroke was miraculous, but cautioned that her recovery process might extend for up to a year. In the preceding 12 months, Secamb handled 13,635 calls concerning suspected strokes, which averages out to one such call approximately every 40 minutes. Ms Hudson expressed her gratitude, stating: “I’m so grateful for the quick response from the ambulance and hospital staff, as their care has meant I’m now at home with my husband and daughter and working hard on the road to recovery.” A stroke is medically defined as an event where blood flow to a section of the brain is interrupted. Initial indicators typically involve: Other symptoms could encompass: Information source: NHS.uk For updates, follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and X. Story submissions can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Details regarding our external linking policy are available.