I'm currently convalescing after a serious neurological illness. I hope to be well enough to return to St Ethelburga's in January.

I was admitted to St Thomas's hospital on 25 July suffering from viral encephalitis, which causes the brain to swell and shut down. I was unconscious in intensive care for 35 days and there were some complications such as pneumonia and two seizures. I am told I came very close to death on at least two occasions, and in fact I had an “out of body experience” as well as some truly terrifying dreams. I was kept alive by machines and huge quantities of drugs. More than a hundred medical staff were involved in my care and treatment.

When I moved to an acute ward on 1 Sept, I faced a number of physical limitations. I was very unsteady on my feet, and my sense of balance was awry. I had lost the use of my hands and was unable to read and could not concentrate for more than a few minutes. My mind was very agitated and my memory played strange tricks. My hearing, never very good, had deteriorated further. The first couple of days were a bit grim but this was most likely fallout from the prodigious amount of drugs I had been given. However the speed at which I began to recover startled everyone, particularly me. Within a day I was able to walk short distances with a stick. My reading ability returned quickly and I regained the feeling in my left hand within a few days. After a particularly vivid dream of moving into a new house I experienced an astonishing sense of joy and peace which still persists.

I returned home on 9 September and my physical recovery has continued well. I am gradually regaining use of my right hand and am now confident about walking and managing stairs. After being bedridden for so long I am rather weak but have now got permission to go swimming which should get me fit in a few weeks.

Miraculously I seem to have avoided any significant brain damage. Mentally I am fully alert and my mind is very active if still a little chaotic. Cognitive therapy will help me deal with some issues of agitation, concentration, forgetfulness and confabulation (false memories), which are thankfully not severe. Physiotherapy is gradually restoring my motor skills.

The prognosis is good and after a few months of quiet convalescence, I should make a more or less full recovery. All in all I am in remarkable shape after such a dramatic episode. I feel very blessed and I am sure that this is not unconnected with the wonderful messages of support and prayers that so many people made on my behalf. Thank you.

Paul Wilson has taken over as interim Director of St Ethelburga's, and I hope you will give him and the staff team the same generous support you have given me in the past.

With best wishes

Simon

30 September 2011