'I Would Have Died Without Pioneering Stroke Treatment'

Rebecca Moore’s life was saved after she had a blood clot removed from her brain

- Christina Quaine

REBECCA, 33, is a full-time mother. She lives with her husband Gavin, a cost consultant, and their children: Joshua, nine; Liam, seven; and Libby, three. In November 2016, she suffered an acute ischaemic stroke.

“I had just got my daughter Libby up from her lunchtime nap when it happened. I was making her some toast and went to the fridge to get the butter when my legs started to give way. I felt like I was on a ferry out at sea and had to grab onto the fridge to steady myself.

Libby laughed, thinking I was clowning around and, strangely, I didn’t feel frightened. I thought it was funny, too, and kept thinking, ‘Why am I being so stupid?’

Fortunately, at that moment, Gavin’s parents Gill and Don arrived. As they came through the front door, I started to say ‘hello’ and collapsed. I could hear everything that was going on – my mother-in-law calling for an ambulance and then calling Gavin at work – but I couldn’t speak or open my eyes, and I was aware that the right side of my face had dropped.