I was unconscious – it wasn’t looking good, says former Taoiseach Brian Cowen on health battle
FORMER Taoiseach Brian Cowen has opened up about suffering a deadly stroke - admitting: ‘It wasn’t looking good’.
The ex-Fianna Fail leader, 62, spent a year in hospital rehabilitating after he suffered a haemorrhage while undergoing a minor procedure in 2019.
He spent three months in St Vincent’s in Dublin, followed by nine months’ rehab in the stroke unit at the Royal Hospital in Donnybrook.
While he was initially confined to a wheelchair, the Offaly native is making good progress in terms of his mobility.
He said of his horror stroke: “I was a couple of weeks gone. I was unconscious. It wasn’t looking good. But whatever happened, I came out of it again.”
The now-retired long-time TD told how his ill health was more difficult for his family.
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He said: “It was a big shock for everyone.”
He added of his own experience: “It was very hazy. When you’re coming out of unconsciousness, you don’t say, ‘Here, I’m back’, it’s the people around you that are telling you, ‘You’re back’.
“You don’t know anything about it yourself because you’re not with the programme.”
The politician - nicknamed Biffo during his heyday - considers it to be “amazing good fortune” that the haemorrhage in his brain happened while he was at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin undergoing a procedure.
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He was already under anaesthetic when the haemorrhage occurred.
He was immediately referred to St Vincent’s, which specialises in treating brain bleeds.
After his condition had improved, Mr Cowen was taken to the Royal Hospital in Donnybrook, where he spent “the guts of nine months” in a stroke recovery unit.
His family home outside Tullamore, Co Offaly, had to be modified when he was discharged from hospital to allow for a wheelchair.
He said: “We did a bit of rearranging – we had to change the ground floor for accessibility and whatever. But I was glad to get home.”
And he told how having a serious illness “changes” people, adding: “When you have a period of sickness or whatever, hospitalisation, you’re grateful for small mercies. I’m glad I’m in good shape.”
FLEADH HONOUR
He now continues to do physio and exercise in a local pool, using a wheelchair only in situations where a long walk might be involved.
He was recently pictured attending the All-Ireland final using a chair for access to Croke Park.
He said of his mobility: “The walking is good, but if I go a distance or if I’m going to a match I bring the chair.”
Biffo was speaking at the Fleadh in Mullingar, where he was honoured for his contributions to the festival.
And the 62-year-old told how he’s ‘enjoying life’ away from politics. He told the Independent: “I’m enjoying life.
“Everything is good – there’s no reason to think otherwise. The family are good and the kids are all finished college and are working away so they’re happy. Everything is well on that side.”
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The former Taoiseach received the new Gradam na hÉigse award, honouring those who have made a particular contribution to the Fleadh.
He joked: “I’d like to thank everyone involved in giving me this award – whether it was deserved or not, that remains to be seen, but it’s done now and I’m not giving it back.”