This poem is read by Professor Scott Murray, Edinburgh University. It is by Mrs N, about caring for her husband who has had a stroke.

Well, he’s the same again,Started, you know,The swelling up.And the doctorDidn’t put off,Any time,This time.She said,It was much better,Just to get him in.

So he went in,At the beginning of DecemberAnd he actually had been having,Some rather strange turns.Very dizzy turns.It just seemed to beSomething thatCame over him.

And it’s oneOf the tablets,That he hasFor his asthma,Which they sayIs a veryDangerous drug.He’s been on itFor many years,And it’s affectingHis heart,

And they are tryingTo stop itBut they can’tStop itBecauseHe can’t breatheWithout it.The hospital doctor said,The last time we were in,That it hadTo be stopped,

And we did tryTo stop itAnd I had to phoneOur own doctorBecause he was strugglingAnd she came inAnd she said to him,“Which would you rather have,You know,The heart out of rhythm,Or not able to breathe?”He said,“Well,If I’m going to die,I’d rather dieWith my heart stoppingThan gaspingFor breath.”

Well anyway,They took him inAnd he was hooked up to thingsAnd couldn’t getMoving aroundAt all,But they decidedThey were goingTo let him homeFor Christmas.

And he hadChristmas DayAnd he took illThe next dayAnd he has not reallyPicked upVery wellSince then

I got the doctor inAnd I was quite disappointedActuallyAt the lack of supportAnd even the nurseAgreed with meWhen she came inFor his blood.I said,“I feelI’ve just been leftWith it

I just don’t knowWhat we’re going to doWith him really.Do you have a gunIn your bag?He probably needsA gun!

And his circulationOf courseIsn’t goodAnd thatDoesn’t help.In factIf you were a horseThey would shoot you.