In 2009, Palma Thompson, aged 74, had a stroke at her home in Bury. She was one of the first stroke patients to be treated with thrombolysis at the Bury Primary Stroke Centre.

Palma was cleaning her flat when a friend dropped round to visit her. It was when Palma sat down to chat to her friend that she suddenly slumped down off her chair and blacked out. That is the last memory Palma has of the day.

It was Palma’s husband Derek Thompson, who managed to save her life. His calm and quick thinking ensured she received the immediate medical assistance she so vitally needed. After viewing the F.A.S.T. stroke advert on television, Derek knew his wife had had a stroke and dialled 999 immediately.

Before she experienced a stroke, Palma has suffered with high blood pressure (hypertension) and weighed more than 17 stone. Although she had never smoked or drank much alcohol in her life, Palma viewed her weight as a problem and her GP had warned that she was at risk of stroke.

Palma said the team who treated her at Fairfield hospital were "absolutely fantastic, they helped me every step of the way. I know that if it wasn’t for their help and the excellent services available to me that I may not have been so fortunate."

Against the odds, Palma’s life has now been changed for the better after the experience. Following advice from her specialist stroke team at Bury Primary Stroke Centre, Palma has managed to lose more than five stone in weight and trains regularly at her local gym. She also now follows a healthy diet and lifestyle.