'We are hoping next Christmas we can bring him home': Wife of 'hero' David has world turned upside down as husband left paralysed

"We are hoping next Christmas we can bring David home."

Those are the words from Kathryn Crichton, who came to the realisation that she would be spending Christmas morning on her own this year, with three children Charlie, eight, Ronan, 15 and Olivia, 24.

Her husband David, 44, suffered a huge bleed to the brain as a result of a hemorrhagic stroke back on October 10 and was thought to be close to death on that painful night.

The owner of IT business DTech, David will now be left needing Kathryn as his full-time carer, who has decided to set up a fundraising page as they prepare for the financial strain of funding private therapy.

Kathryn, 44, said: "We had just gone to sleep and he just rolled off the bed in severe pain and instantly couldn’t talk and was really scared. I had called an ambulance and he was rushed to the hospital.

"Once we arrived, a nurse finally told me he had suffered a huge bleed and they didn’t think he would survive and I was told to say my goodbyes before they attempted to try and save his life with surgery.

"I will never forget that night. David is my total hero and we have never been apart in 18 years. Our world has been turned upside down and me and my children are devastated and miss him so much."

For the first time, the family were forced apart for a strenuous six weeks due to the Coronavirus pandemic, leaving David unable to see his wife and children.

The 44-year-old underwent Craniotomy surgery, where a piece of his skull was removed to release swelling from the brain.

He was then put in a coma and ventilated, before undergoing further surgery to prevent pressure rising in his brain and then being moved to a Neurological ward.

David remained Chorley hospital for rehabilitation and began to make steady progress, although he was still unable to talk, move, or see properly.

Wife Kathryn said: "David is in very low mood and rehabilitation has been slow and limited. David would greatly benefit from intense therapy from a private rehabilitation team but as he can no longer work we just don’t have the funds and I will be his full-time carer.

"David is the loveliest, strongest man and we just want him back. We know he may never be the same again, but he still deserves a quality of life.

"He was fit and well and doesn't smoke or drink. The doctors said that it was due to undiagnosed high blood pressure and stress.

"He has been really upset and agitated because he can’t talk. It must be like living hell for him, he’s been in so much pain and crying.

"He may never walk or talk again but, we are hoping with time and therapy he may be able to walk with a stick. He will also be slower and maybe incontinent forever. I am raising money to get him ongoing therapy and never give up."

According to the Stroke Association, a haemorrhagic stroke is caused due to bleeding in or around the brain.

In the UK, around 15 per cent of strokes are haemorrhagic, and about 85 per cent are ischaemic - meaning they are caused by a blockage to the blood supply in the brain.

Kathryn has shared her experience on social media site Facebook, repeatedly updating her profile with pictures and videos of David on his road to recovery, interacting with his children and attempting to speak and write.

And it was on December 9 that she made another tough decision for her and her family - to say goodbye to David and be apart over Christmas while he receives specialist care from the Sue Ryder charity.

For the first time, she spent her Christmas morning alone with her children and may still not see David for up to six months.

The Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre, Fulwood, provides specialist care to support people with neurological conditions to optimise their health and wellbeing and maximises their independence - David will be there for at least six months.

She said: "I will not be allowed to see him at all until Covid has gone. He has to isolate in his room for two weeks which included Christmas. This is going to be the hardest fight yet for us all however the ultimate goal is to get David home for good. The tears are wiped and the boxing gloves are back on.

"I won’t give up without a fight to be able to see him, and as soon as he is able and well enough, I will get him home and get private rehabilitation to maximise his chances of having as much of a normal life as possible."

December 14 was the last time that Kathryn and her children were able to spend time with David before he was moved to the Sue Ryder care centre.

He missed Christmas day celebrations and couldn't be there at his son Charlie's birthday, on December 22.

To support their cause and donate to the fundraising page for his private therapy, visit here.

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