My Name is Chelsea. 2 months ago I was taken by ambulance for stroke symptoms; loss of balance, dizziness, blurred and double vision, weakness and numbness in right arm and leg, severe fatigue, nausea, migraine & urinary symptoms (urge and pain on voiding). Emergency Drs found nitrites on urine dipstick, so asked nurse to take a sample from urinary catheter and ordered full bloods.

The hospital admitted me $652.55, after a cerebral arterial dissection (tear) was discovered on MRI $150

Despite being medicated heavily with endone and morphine I was in an incredible amount of pain during my admission. I kept asking for the results of the urine and blood tests and was told they were clear of infection, even though I had blood in my catheter bag.

I was discharged on anticoagulants and opioids for pain $655.20. Shoulder icepack for pain $44.16

My pain continued at home and I discovered via MyHealth pathology results that I had a ESBL E.Coli 'Superbug' highly resistant to all but 1 antibiotic that the hospital had missed diagnosing and by the time it was realised I was septic and delusional. My GP treated me with the antibiotic $81.98 and referred me for second opinion for the dissection, due to the amount of pain I was experiencing.

The neurosurgeon I was referred to ($350) stated I should never have been discharged with a dissection so large (from C5 to C7) that in his opinion and experience would unlikely heal on its own and I required urgent stenting, as my risk of stroke was high, even on the anticoagulants.

Unfortunately this was just before the 2 week Christmas closure period, and we had to wait longer than the 28 day re-admission rule, so had pay again for the hospital admission fee ($500), plus anaesthetist fees ($3,200), surgeon fee $228.20 for initial consult + procedure fee (yet to be invoiced for).

I was in ICU for 24hrs following the stenting procedure where 3 stents were inserted, due to the size of the dissection.

It was during that time that it was discovered the anaesthetic nurse had removed my x2 18K gold diamond and 1K natural emerald (these are no longer mined and these days are manufactured) family heirloom rings that were TAPED my finger, wrapped them in paper towel and put them in my medication bag. She admitted this in front of several staff and my husband who all questioned why she A. had done that at all and B. Why in papertowel and not a labelled specimen jar?!

My rings are lost forever. We lodged a complaint with that hospital, however, despite nurse admission of breaking hospital protocol, Im not hopeful of their return, or any type of compensation (worth approx 10K) as they were nowhere to be found, with nurses rummaging through garbage and medical waste bins in search for them to no avail.

I was discharged on day 3 which was Friday at approx 10am in no pain and told by the neuroradiologist who had implanted the stent that I should expect no pain at all.

So, when, at 1pm that same day, I started feeling pain from my neck, radiating down my right arm, with numbness and loss of function and chest pain, I called the hospital and was advised to return to emergency.

Another $500 admission fee + $670 MRI fee.

MRI revealed a spontaneous L side vertebral artery dissection at C6.

I was transferred by ambulance to GCUH, as the emergency Dr at GCPH stated there were no neurologists attending the GCPH over the weekend.

I was admitted to GCUH Fri evening.

The neurologist attended the next day examined me and stated he believed I'd also experienced a spinal stroke. He referred me for MRI stating I would need a follow up MRI 3 days later, as spinal strokes often take a few days to show up on MRIs, if they show up at all.

He also recommended pathology for investigation of connective tissue disorders such as Marfans or Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

I have to discharge from hospital in the next day or so and need to source aids such as walking cane and wheelchair. I will also require ongoing Physiotherapy and OT to assist my recovery.

My husband works long 12hr days and travels frequently for work so will often be unable to assist me in the home with personal care, cooking meals, housework and transport.

Somehow I still need to get my daughter to school. I used to drive her. I cant drive at the moment.

I cant drive anywhere.

I had asked the hospital OT about NDIS access and they said I wont qualify, so they wont put in an access request on my behalf.

I also work and have lost $7000 of wages during this time.

In total we are in the red $24,012.09 and that before the surgeon's fee, as we haven't received that invoice yet.

Then there will be the equipment hire and more lost wages as I make mynreturn to work, which I have no idea how much that will cost at this point.

Please assist us where you can.