DAVID Wallings is a lucky man. The 47-year-old suffered a stroke last January while doing the washing up.
Had he suffered the same stroke just ten years ago he would not be alive to tell his remarkable tale.
While suffering no pain, David felt numbness down his right side while at home alone in Central Avenue, Southend.
After initially ignoring the sensation, it quickly spread down his right arm and leg and he realised something was seriously wrong.
He managed to contact his wife at work. Although he had already lost the ability to speak coherently, she realised what was wrong and called an ambulance.
David had suffered a spontaneous carotid artery dissection, which sent a blood clot straight to his brain. Ten years ago, that would have been a death sentence.
However, now, thanks to the speedy treatment and advanced stroke facilities available at Southend Hospital, just 20 months later you would not be able to tell David came so close to death. He said: I want everyone to have the access to the treatment that I did at the hospital.
I ignored the feeling to start with, just thinking I had stood funny, or something like that.
But it soon spread and because I was on my own, I nearly didnt make it.
Fortunately, I recognised a picture of my wife on my phone, could tap it to call her and she rang for help. I would advise anyone to call for help as soon as they feel something. You can worry about feeling silly, or it being a false alarm, later. That time might save your life.
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Stroke victim says hospital is working wonders