Community
19 January, 2026
Grateful patient gives back to hospital for saving his life
WHEN accountant Stephen Turner suffered a sudden brain aneurysm a week before Christmas 2024, his family was told he had a 50-50 chance of recovery.
“I was just at the gym, doing my regular workout, nothing too strenuous when I felt this sudden huge headache – they call it a thunderclap headache,” Mr Turner said.
“I stumbled to the staff and said I needed help, they called my wife and the ambulance and that’s the last thing I remember for a month,” he said.
He was flown to Townsville Hospital’s neurology unit where he underwent three rounds of surgery to release the pressure on his brain and insert a shunt, which he will now live with permanently.
“I have no memory of that month – I have texts that I was sending my friends saying, ‘I’ve got to go, I’m having surgery’, but I have no recollection of any of that at all,” he said.
He was transferred back to Cairns Hospital’s rehabilitation ward where he spent another month recuperating and was released on Valentine’s Day.
“They tell me it hasn’t caused any permanent damage – they can’t even see where the bleed was now on MRIs, but I do have some short-term memory loss which is getting better with time.”
Cairns Hospital neurology nurse Belinda Harrison said Mr Turner suffered some cognitive decline that needed intense rehabilitation, with occupational therapists working with him daily.
It was during this time that his AFL mates rallied to help, organising a fundraiser.
“I told them I wanted it to go to the hospital foundation for that unit. That was very successful and raised $3000 at the annual Masters carnival in early March, which was great,” Mr Turner said.
The funds have already been put into action with the donation to the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation specifically channelled to the rehab ward.
A hearing amplifier is now in use to help patients with impaired hearing – with the capacity to be used with a phone or as a microphone with headphones.
Numbing devices also have been purchased to alleviate injection pain for stroke patients who receive treatment.
Mr Turner said he counted his blessings every day.
