'It could've been so different' - popular Kilkenny man recovering from stroke

When Kilkenny councillor John Brennan reflects on the day his life was turned upside down, the first word that comes to his lips, perhaps surprisingly, is 'lucky'.

Lucky that he wasn’t driving at the time. Lucky that his wife Catherine acted quickly. Lucky that the ambulance was already nearby. And lucky, above all else, that the swift work of medical professionals gave him the chance to rebuild his life.

“I was very lucky I wasn’t in the car when it happened,” he said.

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John had been preparing to travel to a meeting in Waterford when the first warning signs appeared.

“I was just getting ready, and the phone fell out of my hand. I didn’t think much of it at first but then I realised things weren’t right.”

At the time, he admits he didn’t fully understand what was happening.

“It took a while to realise I was actually in the process of having a stroke,” he said.

“Time is everything. People need to know that if you see the signs, you must dial 999 immediately.”

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That call could’ve proved to be the difference between life and death.

“We were very lucky again,” John recalled. “There just happened to be an ambulance nearby that was actually heading for Tullamore. Within five minutes of the call, they came and that’s what could have saved my life.”

The paramedics wasted no time in treating him.

“They gave me what they called a clotbuster — a treatment that stabilises the condition when you get a stroke,” he said.

“The staff were so good. They knew straight away how serious it was.”

From there, John was rushed into the care of doctors who warned of the risks he faced. A scan revealed how severe the situation was.

“They told me my breathing could stop. They had to put a stent in to postpone surgery on the brain. It was very serious, but thankfully, it went very well.”

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The stroke left its mark. “All my left side was gone,” John said. “I couldn’t use my arm, I wasn’t able to walk, and even swallowing was affected. At that stage, I was in a wheelchair. But when I came back to Kilkenny, the physiotherapy team was fantastic. With their help, I started coping.”

Slowly but surely, improvements came.

“It could've been so different for me. I’m very lucky to be well and to have my independence back. Some people don’t get that, so I know how fortunate I am.”

John is quick to credit the teams that played a role in his recovery.

“The ambulance staff were incredible from the moment they arrived. The staff in Beaumont Hospital looked after me so well during the most critical days. The rehabilitation team, and all the staff in St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny, were fantastic. I couldn’t have made the progress I have without them. I’ll be forever thankful for what they’ve done for me.”

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Alongside professional care, John says the support of his wife and the Kilkenny community helped him through the darkest moments.

“There were messages and cards from everywhere,” he said. “People were so good to me, and that meant a lot. It makes such a difference when you know people are thinking of you.”

Though the journey back has been long, John has faced it so far with determination and gratitude. His message now is one of awareness and action.

“Time is crucial,” he emphasised once again.

“That’s what saved me. People need to know the signs and not wait around. Ring 999 straight away.”

Now on the road to recovery, John is determined to use his experience to raise awareness.

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He hopes that by sharing his story, others will recognise the signs sooner and act without hesitation.

“If my story encourages even one person to act quickly and it saves their life, it will have been worth telling,” he said.

He also credits his role as a councillor with giving him added purpose during his recovery.

“You have to keep going, to stay connected with people and your community,” he said.

“It gives you strength to focus on something beyond yourself.”

How to spot a stroke:

Medical experts advise remembering the acronym FAST, which highlights the most common warning signs of stroke:

F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Is one side of the face drooping?
A – Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S – Speech: Is their speech slurred, strange, or difficult to understand?
T – Time: Time is critical.

If you notice any of these signs, call 999 immediately.

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Other possible symptoms can include sudden loss of vision, severe headache, dizziness, or loss of balance.

But whatever the symptom, John Brennan’s message is clear: act fast.

“Don’t delay, don’t wait to see if it passes,” he said. “Ring 999. It could save your life, just like it saved mine.”

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