We announced in late in October the hospitalisation of Jamie Rae and that it was very serious, but that he was expected to recovery. That recovery will take while, but it is important we share with you what happened during his time in the hospital.
In the early hours of August 20th, 2024, Jamie’s family found him unresponsive and struggling to breathe. They called 999, and he was rushed to Falkirk’s Forth Valley ICU. Doctors informed the family that the next 24 to 48 hours would be critical. His next of kin were asked by the doctors straight away, “Who has power of attorney?”, a reflection of how grave the situation was, as life or death decisions would need to be made.
He was placed in an induced coma while the medical team worked to stabilize his failing organs. Sepsis was considered a strong possibility. While still in a coma, he underwent multiple tests and continuous kidney dialysis. Only family and next of kin were allowed to visit.
Two days later, doctors decided it was safe to begin easing him off coma medication. His condition remained uncertain, and everyone could only wait and see. Small eye movements gave hope, but further scans were required to assess potential brain damage.
Although off the coma medication, Jamie showed minimal signs of waking. Small muscle twitches were present, but no one could predict when he would regain consciousness. By September 3rd, concerns about his breathing led doctors to seek permission for a tracheostomy. Given his history of throat cancer, his records were requested from his oncologist Professor Chris Nutting, in London, where Jamie was initially treated, who expedited them to Falkirk. The procedure was performed on September 5th to aid his breathing.
A week later, Jamie showed small signs of improvement—brief moments of open eyes—but progress was very slow. On September 10th, doctors considered an MRI scan to assess brain function and determine next steps. By this point, he had been in a coma for four weeks with little improvement. Worry, anxiety and uncertainty hung in the air.
On September 13th, though still severely ill and weak, Jamie was moved from ICU to a ward room, marking the beginning of a long recovery process. Small moments of interaction brought some light-hearted relief—nurses noted that he even attempted to kiss them, sparking much-needed laughter among his family. Jamie has no recollection of this happening.
By the following week, doctors prepared the family for what lay ahead: a recovery period of at least two years. Once fully awake, Jamie would have to adjust to his tracheostomy and new dietary needs. His mental and emotional recovery remained uncertain, as did the level of support he would require.
On September 23rd, as Jamie continued to improve, doctors decided to introduce soft foods and transfer him to a rehabilitation unit in Stirling. Eating was a challenge, and encouragement was necessary. In Stirling, still connected to various medical devices, he struggled with communication due to the loss of his voice, relying on sounds and gestures.
By early October, concerns remained about his condition, leading to a precautionary blood transfusion. He had lost significant weight, consuming only liquids, and while he wanted food, the difficulty of eating deterred him. He was given an iPad to watch Netflix but was kept away from work emails.
By October 10th, Jamie was allowed non-family visitors, who were shocked by his appearance. One colleague describing him as a ‘bag of bones’. He was extremely thin and still struggled to communicate, tiring quickly. Nearly two months in, rehabilitation efforts increased—he needed to regain the ability to walk and rebuild muscle after prolonged immobility. Mentally, he was coming to terms with how life had changed and how long recovery would take.
In November, discussions about his eventual return home began. A phased approach was considered to help him, and his family adjust. He remained on a liquid diet, with a feeding tube providing nourishment. Doctors warned that his discharge depended on improved CRP blood markers (measures the amount of protein in your blood), which frustrated him. On November 9, he was granted a weekend pass to visit home, offering a trial run for future full discharge. This short trip home made everyone realise that long-term care would be necessary.
By mid-November, with his CRP levels improving, Jamie was discharged after nearly three months in the hospital. He was advised to rest and continue rehabilitation at home. Though still weak and facing a long recovery, he was grateful for the medical care he received.
Now at home, Jamie focuses on rebuilding his strength, regaining his ability to eat, speak, and eventually drive. His recovery remains slow, and there are moments of frustration for both him and his family. Despite the challenges, he is determined to regain as much normalcy as possible.
Grateful to have come through this experience, Jamie is looking at ways to use his journey to help others. Through the Throat Cancer Foundation, he hopes to improve aftercare for those recovering from similar illnesses. His story continues, and each day brings progress, however small.
