Huthwaite former detective speaks of hope after recovery from brain illness at Mansfield hospital

Andrew Bowie, now 64, of Huthwaite, collapsed vomiting and having seizures, aged of 58, in Janury 2014.

He was rushed to Kings Mill Hospital with brain encephalitis – inflammation of brain tissue – caused by an infection or autoimmune response.

The dad of one was put into a coma and underwent a lumbar puncture under the care of Professor Devaka Fernando. He also had viral pneumonia, complications from a former heart attack.

Andrew said: “The consultants gave me a 20 percent chance of survival and anticipated it would be 10 years to recover.

“It was feared I may die of multi-organ failure. My kidneys failed. They’d got rid of the virus with a large quantity of anti-biotics.”

In June, 2014, Andrew was transferred to Millwood Hospital, Hucknall with depression caused by the brain damage, affecting his orientation, and balance.

Andew said: “I was under consultant psychologist and neurophysiotherapist Dr Rajinder Dyal. The virus attacked the right side of my brain, when I woke from the coma, I didn’t know I had a left arm.

"Physiotherapist Michael Booth got feeling back into my hand. He’d run a feather down each finger, by the end I could even tell what bird it came from!

“Like the title of Paul Gascoigne’s autobiography, it’s been like a journey from hell and back. When it happened I thought I was kaput. But now I can shop, cook, read and exercise on my crosstrainer and exercise bike.

“I’m a Christian and my faith helped me and the staff like Prof Fernando, Dr Dyal, Michael, nurse Connie, psychologists Vallia and Marta. Physio Sonia Green, had me playing chess with my left hand.”

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"I was discharged on July 31, 2016, eight years before anticipated. I shall be forever grateful for the staff’s care, understanding and professionalism.I want to give hope to others. I lead a normal life, the only thing I can’t do is drive.

Andrew retired from the Nottinghamshire Police, in 2004 after his heart attack whilst in the Regional Crime Squad as a surveillance detective.

He also also worked with the national crime squad a surveillance detective and taught in a specialist crime centre.

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