Monty Don admitted realising he is “going to die” after a major health scare. Monty, who recently returned to our TVs with Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens, had to take a leave of absence from Gardeners’ World at the time after suffering from a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or a “mini-stroke”.
The experience led to something of a revelation for Monty, who admitted that “all the clichés are true”. He told The Times: “A stroke makes you terribly aware of your own mortality. I wasn’t well so I couldn’t do much. I couldn’t drive. In a way, it was a good time because I had to stop.”
Monty continued: “It was the first moment I realised that, yes, you are going to die. All the clichés are true – the things that matter are love, family, friends, a nice glass of wine or cup of tea.
“Not fame, not fortune. Nobody on their deathbed is going to say, ‘I wish I had been more famous’.”
What began as a “funny feeling” led to Monty experiencing what the NHS categorised as a “warning sign” that you’re at an increased risk of stroke, which is a condition that could cause “permanent disability”.
According to Hello!, Monty decided to ignore the unusual feeling and took a walk around the grounds of his home. Once he received medical advice, however, it was revealed that he’d had a TIA.
In 2009, he told The Guardian: “I was so exhausted I did not know whether I was coming or going. I remember waking up feeling strange and dizzy.
“I said to my wife Sarah, ‘God, something funny is happening; I may be having a stroke.’ We weren’t thinking: this is a disaster. I said, ‘Hang on, I can move my fingers.’
“I remember thinking, ‘Oh, get a grip, you’re fine’. I turned to Sarah and said, ‘Hold me because I think I’m dying and, if I am, I want to die in your arms’.”
Monty reportedly suffered a blockage to the brain that had affected the supply of blood. The NHS reflects this in its description of a TIA, describing ho this disruption leads to a lack of oxygen to the brain.
Those who have a transient ischaemic attack may experience stroke-like symptoms, including visual and speech disturbances and numbness in the legs, face and arms.
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