Mother Awakens After Six Weeks in Coma Following Aneurysm

A mother from Reddish fell into a six-week coma after experiencing a severe headache, ultimately revealing a life-threatening brain aneurysm. On December 2, 2022, Natalie Fisher, a mother of four, went to bed for a rest, asking her eldest son to care for her youngest child, who has autism and is non-verbal. When she failed to wake up, her son found her unresponsive and called emergency services.

Natalie was rushed to Stepping Hill Hospital, where doctors confirmed she had suffered a brain aneurysm—a condition characterized by a bleeding artery in the brain that can lead to a hemorrhagic stroke. Initially, she remained in a coma, during which she reported being aware of her surroundings and hearing conversations in the hospital room.

In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Natalie described the moments leading up to her unconsciousness. “I went to bed because I had this banging headache,” she said. “I remember my head just popped and I fell back onto the bed.” Her son discovered her later and called for help, initiating a life-saving response.

Comatose Awareness

While in a comatose state, Natalie experienced a phenomenon known as “comatose awareness,” where patients may retain memories of sounds and voices around them despite appearing unresponsive. She recalled her mother asking her to squeeze her hand and the distressing conversations about her potential life support withdrawal. “I was trying to move and nothing was,” she recounted. “I couldn’t talk or move yet I was still alive; it was surreal.”

Natalie vividly described moments that felt beyond reality, claiming to have seen her late grandmother, who passed away four years prior. “She told me to ‘go back to your mother’ just before I opened my eyes for the first time,” she said, reflecting on the strange experiences during her coma.

After several weeks, Natalie was transferred to Salford Royal Hospital for surgery. Neurosurgeons typically address aneurysms by sealing them with a metal clip, a procedure that can significantly increase the chances of recovery.

Path to Recovery

Natalie finally opened her eyes six weeks later on January 14, 2023. Although she is still under medical care, she has begun to make gradual progress. Currently, she is experiencing difficulties with her throat and voice box, likely due to the ventilator tubes that assisted her breathing during her coma.

Reflecting on her ordeal, Natalie expressed her deep connection to her family. “My children are my world; I can’t live a day without them,” she said. “In that moment, all I could think about was my mum.”

As she continues her recovery, Natalie emphasizes the importance of taking small steps each day. “It’s small strides day by day, step by step,” she noted, acknowledging both the fear and gratitude she feels after her unexpected experience. “It’s terrifying to go to bed for a lie down and not wake up for so long—but at least I am still here.”

With ongoing medical follow-ups, including a brain scan to monitor her progress, Natalie remains optimistic about her future and the support of her family.