I remember opening my eyes. I assume this was the first time since I’d gone into theatre.

One of the nurses, who had fitted the catheter before surgery, was by my bed. I said her name. She said she’d wanted to be with me when I woke up because she saw how worried I’d looked. I don’t know if I thought it at the time, but this was a lovely thing to do.

I can’t really remember the order of things to be honest. I remember one of the recovery ward team who was looking after me talking to me.

I remember looking at a clock ahead of me and I think looking twice before I said out loud “8.30?” I think I was wondering whether it was still the same day, before he said “yes, you’ve been in surgery four and a half hours.”

He reassured me that my parents and boyfriend were waiting for me on the Brain Attack ward.

I don’t remember being scared, I think I was too tired. The member of staff kept saying I was doing great and that he was waiting for a porter to take me down to the ward. He was going to get his dinner and said he wouldn’t be doing so if he was worried.

The porter came a while later and the medical team member said again that I was doing a great job as I was being wheeled into the lift. I said that was thanks to the team and the surgery and he said something about the fact that it was my body doing the work and it was doing really well.

I was taken to a ward and don’t remember too much. My parents and boyfriend came to see me and there were a lot of tears. It was about 9.30pm roughly. I think that I was just saying “I’m okay, I’ll be okay” through tears. I think they kept holding my hand and hugging and kissing me.

I couldn’t move much. I was exhausted.

The senior nurse who I’d seen in re-suss before surgery came to see me on the ward. He did an arm test with me asking me to hold both arms out straight in line with my shoulders and I could do it! He asked me to close my eyes and my left arm dropped like a dead weight. I remember feeling worried about it & I think nervously laughing, but they said not to worry. They also tested my vision. My peripheral vision wasn’t good, but again they said not to worry.

The ward night staff introduced themselves to me and said they’d be looking after me and to try and sleep as much as I could as my body needed it. They also told me that I would be woken up every 2 hours to do my obs. 🙄 (yay)

My parents and boyfriend were asked to leave about 10.30pm.

At about 11.30pm (I’m guessing) a nurse came in to do a swallow test. My mouth was so dry to the point I was struggling to speak. They gave me 2 tablespoons of water which I was fine with. I was so pleased, my next words were “does that mean I can have water?” They said yes and got me a jug. I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited about water and it was the best glass of water I’ve ever had.

The rest of the night consisted of very broken sleep (although I did get some) and my obs being done. My blood pressure cuff went off every two hours anyway which woke me. They were sticking a thermometer in my ear (even if I was asleep) and shining a very bright torch in my eyes – this is not nice when it’s dark and you’re half asleep! They also asked questions; What year it it? What’s the Queen’s name? What’s your birthday? and Do you know where you are?

I still don’t think I had any idea of what had happened in the previous hours. I was just there in that moment I guess…