Former nurse has 'never felt better' after brush with death following loss of husband
A former nurse from Walsall, who was on the brink of death, has thanked the NHS staff who helped save her life.
Muriel Withington, lost her husband Brian and sister-in-law within three weeks of each other.
Following the stress of their deaths and organising both funerals, the 83-year-old began having intense chest pains.
She was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital where they discovered a hernia had ruptured, causing a muscle to twist and burst into her chest cavity.
Due to the severity of her ailment, she was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for specialist treatment.
Muriel, who lives in Darlaston, said: "I had a big operation and was in a private room in the hospital. The staff really looked after me.
"The doctor told me that if I went home before I was discharged and had any complications I would die, due to the distance between my home and the hospital being more than 30 miles away.
"So I listened to him and stayed in the hospital.
"Soon I was up and walking around with my walking stick, the staff said I was literally a walking miracle.
"I am home now and I have never felt so well. I've never felt better.
"I have to say thank you to all of the staff at the QE for looking after me so well."
Muriel used to work as a factory first aid nurse at Horsley Bridge, which was later took over by Rolls Royce.
She had one son with her husband Brian when she was 33. Her son Paul, now aged 50, is now living with his mum following her return from hospital.
In her free time, Muriel enjoys painting and has began selling some of her work to fundraise in support of India.
