Dame Prue Leith was rushed to hospital in Yorkshire after suffering a migraine that left her struggling to speak, prompting fears she was having a stroke. The 86-year-old was on holiday with her husband, John Playfair, when the incident occurred.
Migraine Attack in Yorkshire
Writing in her column Prue’s News in the September issue of The Oldie magazine, Dame Prue described the attack: “A few weeks ago, staying in Yorkshire, I had a migraine attack. It followed a familiar path. First, I can see only half of whatever I’m looking at.
“This is speedily followed by a bright circle of flickering, coloured lights in the upper right field of vision. If I don’t swiftly swallow one of my migraine ‘bombs’ (three pills: paracetamol, ibuprofen and sumatriptan), a crashing headache will follow.”
Husband's Concern and Hospital Visit
She continued: “This time, my incomprehensible jumble of disconnected words convinced John I was having a stroke. I tried to tell him it was just a migraine, but I couldn’t string two words together.
“He rang our doctor, who asked me, could I raise my arms? Yes. Make a fist? Yes. Did anything hurt? No. Was the side of my face drooping? No. In spite of my answers, she ordered an ambulance to take me to Harrogate Hospital.”
After being examined by a paramedic and nurse, Dame Prue underwent a CT scan before being able to leave the hospital after 10 hours.
Praise for NHS Staff
Praising the NHS workers who helped her, she wrote: "You may have to wait for ever. But when it is your turn, you are treated as if you were the only patient in A&E, with concern and patience."
Dame Prue has been a judge on The Great British Bake Off since 2017, replacing Mary Berry. She confirmed she would not return after nine years on the Channel 4 show, with Nigella Lawson taking over her role.
