Dad's recovery progress astonishing following three strokes and two-month coma
A dad who suffered three terrifying strokes and had part of his skull removed is defying doctors in the progress he's slowly but surely making in his recovery.
Neil Jones, 39, had a haemorrhagic stroke in April 2021, which was followed by two more shortly afterwards, in a traumatic ordeal for him and his family.
The former army corporal and dad of three was left in a coma for two months and paralysed on the left side of his body.
A haemorrhagic stroke (also known as a bleed) is caused by bleeding in or around the brain, and accounts for 15% of strokes.
Read more: As Luke Perry dies from a stroke aged 52, here's how to spot symptoms of the condition
Jones, from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, had to have parts of his skill removed by surgeons to relieve the swelling on his brain. While this treatment was so vital, it left him with 'horrific' headaches.
"I suffer awful headaches from where my skill has been removed and replaced but I'm slowly getting some control on those," he said. "They are a lot less now than they had been at the beginning, they were horrific."
Explaining his symptoms and treatment in a little more depth, Jones said, "My brain was swelling causing more damage so my skull was removed and left just over my brain not fastened.
"I then had another bleed and had burr hole surgery to drain the blood." A burr hole is a small hole that surgeons make in the skull, to carry out this process and and relieve pressure on the brain.
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He added, "I was in a coma for two months and then three months later I had to go back to theatre for a subdural hematoma on the opposite side of my brain. They drained this and then went back in and fastened my skull back down."
A subdural haematoma is a serious condition where blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain, which is usually caused by a head injury.
After spending eight months in hospital, Jones was eventually allowed home on December 23, just in time for Christmas. However, he said he "came home being able to do absolutely nothing".
Having been at home for 12 weeks now, he credits his therapy team as being "fantastic", even gaining movement where he was previously told it wouldn't be possible.
"I can now roll myself to the left, sit alone and comfortably and safely without being watched or held and can now even stand for around 10 seconds," he said positively.
"I've moved from level 1-6 on eating and can move the leg I was told was paralysed."
Read more: Mum left disabled after doctors dismissed stroke as 'high blood sugar'
With him now so appreciative of the care of those around him, Jones always used to be the one caring for others. In 2018, he received a public bravery award after he chased down and apprehended a man who was committing a sexual assault.
A Just Giving page has been set up to help raise money to get Jones a special electric wheelchair that can cost around £5,000, something that will help him, his partner Emily, and their three children greatly in Jones' road to recovery.
To help detect if you or someone else is having a stroke, it's crucial to follow the FAST test:
Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye dropped?
Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms?
Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time to call 999: If you see any of these signs
To find out more about the medical emergency, see our explainer on stroke symptoms, causes and treatments in collaboration with the Stroke Association.
Watch: Emmerdale's Mark Charnock flags up stroke symptoms
Additional reporting SWNS.
