'I couldn't recall wife, baby or house move': Shropshire man's brain haemorrhage shock

Mike Evanson couldn't remember the new house he had moved into – and even forgot that his wife had given birth to their first child.

But, thanks to the support of specialists in Shropshire, he is now starting to rebuild his life.

Two years ago, Mike was looking forward to the birth of his first child and was excelling in his job as a civil engineer for Network Rail.

He had always enjoyed being outdoors and decided to go for one last climb with his friend before their wives, who were both seven months pregnant, gave birth.

Mike, 33, of Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, said: "The day started off in the pub where we had a few drinks before setting off to a remote crag in the Peak District.

"My friend and I started to climb and I began to feel funny and was starting to lose my balance on my left hand side. From then onwards things are a blur."

It was later discovered that Mike had a brain haemorrhage, effectively a type of stroke. It was caused by an artery in the brain bursting and causing localised bleeding in the surrounding tissues.

Luckily, a mountain rescue team was carrying out a practice exercise nearby and with them was an anaesthetist.

In addition, Mike's climbing partner is a doctor and was aware that Mike had a brain condition which had been diagnosed five years previously. His friend recognised his symptoms when he collapsed and the anaesthetist sedated him immediately.

Mike was airlifted to Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, where he was put in an induced coma for five days.

He was transferred to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on July 11, 2013 and then discharged to his parents' home. A month later he returned to his own home with his wife and new baby.

Mike added: "I was initially paralysed on the left hand side and suffered a huge amount of memory loss. I woke up not realising I was married and I thought I worked for a previous employer.

"My friends and family found it hard. At the time of the haemorrhage my wife was pregnant with our first child and our daughter was born the day after I was discharged from hospital, on July 25.

"That is when Dr Emma Lawrence and her team came to help."

Mike was referred to the community neuro rehab team by his GP following his discharge home. The physiotherapist provided several sessions to address balance and left-sided weakness. Dr Lawrence, consultant clinical neuropsychologist and manager of community neuro rehab team at Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, provided regular support to Mike and his wife in order to help them understand the impact of the haemorrhage and how to cope with the resulting difficulties.

When Dr Lawrence met Mike she said he suffered from severe short term memory problems and retrograde amnesia which meant that he had lost several months prior to his collapse.

She added: "He could not remember the house that they had moved into in March 2013 and was confused and disorientated.

"He suffered from fatigue and vivid dreams in which he could not distinguish between what was real and what was a dream.

"If his new baby daughter was not in view, he would ask if his wife had had the baby yet. He was not able to say what he had been doing, even a short time before and was frustrated and anxious by these difficulties. Many past memories and events were confused and he often repeated himself.

"In addition, his wife was struggling to cope with a new baby and Mike who needed constant support and supervision. Mike also had some mild left-sided weakness and a visual field defect. He was unable to drive or return to his previous occupation.

"We carried out a detailed neuropsychological assessment which examines cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

"This information was then used to work closely with Mike's employer as his main goal was to be able to return to work.

"This included a work site visit in order to be able to advise on the best way to approach a gradual return to work and any adaptations that needed to be made."

Mike added: "I was very nervous and it affected my confidence massively.

"It has been a personal journey to get to this stage and I could not have done it without Emma and her team. I want to say a huge thank you to them for all their hard work. I have been able to rebuild my life. I could not have dreamt of having a better recovery."

Mike successfully returned to work approximately 12 months after his haemorrhage and has gradually increased his hours and responsibilities.

Dr Lawrence also provided emotional support to help the couple understand and come to terms with such a life-changing event.

She added: "A repeat neuropsychological assessment in June this year was carried out. This indicated improvement in some areas but that Mike still has residual memory impairments.

"Mike has done extremely well to adapt to his difficulties using compensatory strategies. He recently had his specialist driving assessment and he passed. His motivation and determination, together with the fantastic support from his wife, family and friends, has facilitated his recovery.

"When put together with the expertise and skills of the community neuro rehab team, he has managed to achieve his goal of return to work which during the early stages would have seemed impossible."