I'm an Irish League footballer, 28, who had a brain aneurysm, if it wasn't for my fiancee's quick-thinking I'd be dead

The Irish Sun

7 days ago

AN Irish League footballer has told of how he would've died from a brain aneurysm if not for the rapid response of his fiancee.
Cameron Stewart detailed to
The Carrick Rangers defender reflected: 'It actually happened on my birthday, on March 11.
"I was playing a reserve game at Dungannon (Stangmore Park). I had been out for a while with a knee injury and was busting to get back in.
'My dad drove me up. I did my usual warm-up but I felt what is known as a thunderclap headache. I had never felt anything like that. I took a few paracetamols and played 60 minutes, that's all I needed.
'When I came off the headache got worse and thankfully my dad was driving, he drove me home and when the lights on the motorway coming home were really intense I felt something wasn't right.
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"I thought it could be a really bad migraine, and I tried to sleep. I thought I would get up early for school in the morning and be okay.
"My fiancee Brooke was having none of it, phoned my dad and he took me to the Ulster Hospital where everything got serious from that point.
"I wouldn't be here now if Brooke hadn't rang my dad — it's that simple.
'They initially thought it was meningitis, but they did my bloods and after the brain scan everyone's tone changed.
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"Despite the pain, never once did I think I was having a haemorrhage. My aneurysm actually burst and I had a bleed.
'I was blue lighted to Royal Victoria Hospital on March 12 for the operation over a few hours.'
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Cameron is employed as a PE teacher at Ashfield Boys' High School in Belfast. He's yet to return to work as his recovery has understandably been a gradual process.
Not only does he want to return to his post at the school but he's also aiming to get back out on the pitch at some point.
He outlined: 'As time goes on and I feel better, I want to be involved again. I watched the boys in the Play-Off and was delighted we stayed up.
'I just want to be back and help. That's my goal — to one day play again. I'll keep listening to the medical experts.
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The eerie Instagram post his club issued mere hours before his aneurysm
Credit: @carrickrangers
'There have been no complications and hopefully that continues. I haven't given up on my football career.
'Ashfield have been fantastic with me. The doctors have told me to aim for a return next year and everyone has been very understanding.
'When I am ready I will go back in. I love my job and I do miss the boys and girls who I have a great relationship with.
'It is daunting to have these conversations with kids.
'One of the most difficult times for me was reading a get well card from the boys — that was very emotional.
'I've a new outlook on life and I haven't closed the door on being the way I was before.'