Mark Brook, 53, experienced a stroke in August 2025. Prior to this, he considered himself to be in good health, with no previous history or warning signs.
Mark said: “I’d even had a general MOT at my GP just a month before, and everything came back fine. A stroke wasn’t something I was expecting.”
Mark first noticed symptoms while out with friends one summer evening. As he went to get a taxi home, he experienced a sudden and unusual sensation.
“It felt like I was underwater, or standing under a waterfall,” he explained. “Everything became blurry and I just didn’t feel right.”
After getting home, Mark went to bed hoping the feeling would pass. However, when he woke the following day, his symptoms remained.
At his wife’s suggestion, Mark went outside for some fresh air, but began to feel unsteady.
“I started to stumble, lost my balance and fell, and the same feeling came back again with double vision,” he said.
Although his symptoms were not typical of the well-known FAST signs of stroke, including facial drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulties, Mark’s daughter recognised that something was wrong and contacted NHS 111. Following a call back the next morning, he was advised to attend hospital for assessment.
On arrival at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI), clinicians carried out urgent stroke assessments, including checks on his vision, which had deteriorated significantly in his right eye.
Mark underwent a series of scans, including a CT scan, CT angiogram and MRI scan, which confirmed he had experienced a stroke. These scans allow clinicians to assess the brain and blood vessels in detail, helping to identify any disruption to blood flow.
Mark spent six days on the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at DRI, where he received specialist care, monitoring and ongoing assessment.
Reflecting on his experience, Mark praised the care he received from the Stroke Team.
“They were phenomenal – absolute angels. I couldn’t fault any of them,” he said. “The care, reassurance and communication were brilliant throughout. They do an incredible job.”
Alongside medical treatment, Mark received rehabilitation support from the physiotherapy team to aid his recovery.
Following his discharge, Mark has also received follow-up care from the Trust’s ophthalmology services and has since regained full vision.
Now, several months on, Mark says he is feeling well and has returned to normal life.
“I feel incredibly lucky and grateful,” he said. “I’m back to feeling like myself again.”
As part of Stroke Awareness Month, Mark is encouraging others to be aware of potential stroke symptoms and to seek advice if something doesn’t feel right.
“I never thought this could happen to me,” he said. “If something feels unusual, it’s always best to get it checked.”
More information on the signs and symptoms of stroke can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/symptoms/ if individuals are unsure and need help, contact NHS 111, or in an emergency, ring 999 immediately.
