Phil

My story starts on March 28th 2022. I had a job interview for the position of an Enrolled Nurse at Acacia Prison. Driving home they rang me to offer me the position. That night in bed I had trouble breathing, firstly presuming starting a new job was stressing me. After an hour or 2 I tried changing position and after getting into a seated position I called an ambulance. I had a leaking heart valve, so I got kicked from Royal Perth to Sir Charles Gardiner. Then on April 4th I had heart surgery and the main side effect was a blood clot to the brain and an ischaemic stroke. I spent 6 weeks in an induced Coma. When I came out of the Coma at Charlies, I told my nephew he wouldn’t lose his uncle for a year, and then in May I went to Fiona Stanley for stroke Rehab. Tom in the photo was my brilliant Physio. With him I went from walking with a Quad stick to single stick now nothing. Since my walking has improved, I am climbing stairs including successfully completing Jacobs ladder. I am practising to run the HBF run for a reason and city to surf. I am also back swimming up to 300 metres. I am now confidently using public transport including the Prospector train to Toodyay. I am in the process of getting my driving licence back and racing towards getting my job back with the help of Katie OT at FSH. I have 2 months to get back to work and drive to hit my one year target. My advice for getting back to life is be determined and get determined people around you. Also celebrate every victory.