Mum's tribute to "wonderful" hospital staff - and to stepson (15) who saved her life

A GRATEFUL bride-to-be who almost died from a brain haemorrhage took a break from her wedding preparations to thank the medical staff who cared for her – and pay tribute to her heroic stepson.
By Michael Upton
Published 4th Oct 2018, 10:13 BST
Updated 5th Oct 2018, 11:21 BST
Samantha (centre) with fiance Ian Oates and stepson Owen.Samantha (centre) with fiance Ian Oates and stepson Owen.
Samantha (centre) with fiance Ian Oates and stepson Owen.

Samantha Sanderson presented bundle of goodies to the neurological ward of the intensive care unit at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital — six months on from her near-fatal brain bleed.

But the 46-year-old also has her 15-year-old step-son Owen Oates, who usually lives with his mum in Conisbrough, to thank for being able to walk down the aisle.

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“I would not be here without him,” said Samantha, who will marry Owen’s dad Ian this Friday.

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    “Ian had gone away for the weekend and Owen was staying with me.

    “He heard a thump from my room but couldn’t get in because I was lying against the door.

    “Owen went to get a neighbour and phoned 999. 

    “He managed to squeeze in round the door and helped the paramedics get to me.”

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    Samantha, who works at in nursing Doncaster Royal Infirmary herself, and her family joined forces to organise a raffle which raised more than £700 for the ward.

    The cash was spent on four air conditioning units to help patients keep cool and the fundraisers also presented ten jars of coffee, around 2,000 tea bags and a hamper of tasty treats to the ward’s medical staff.

    Samantha, of Scawsby was initially taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary but spent three weeks in intensive care at the Royal Hallamshire, said: “They were wonderful with me. I was there for three weeks and out of it for a week of that but when I came round I was so grateful.”

    Mum Elia Sanderson, of Spring Drive, Brampton-Bierlow, said: “Owen saved her life. He heard a thump and found her bedroom door was blocked.

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    “When the paramedics came, they said he might be able to squeeze through and get to her but warned him about what he might find.

    “She had fallen and cut her face across her chin and could easily have had her throat cut. She was very lucky.”

    Samantha previously worked for a rubber manufacturer but retrained in her 40s and went into nursing.

    “We were all so pleased with how she was looked-after that we wanted to do something to say thank you,” said Elia.

    Related topics:ConisbroughDoncasterBarnsley