When champion darts player Andy 'The Viking' Fordham collapsed just before the British Darts Organisation world championship in January 2007, he had no idea he had suffered a stroke.
He needed emergency treatment for chest and stomach pains and had 18 litres of fluid drained from his lungs. It resulted in a month-long stay in hospital.
The 45-year-old, one of darts' most popular personalities, was at home in south-east London and on the phone to his sister when she noticed he was slurring his words.
“I hadn’t noticed anything at all,” says the 2004 World Professional Darts Champion. “To me it seemed like nothing had happened. It was only a while later when I tried to get up that I realised I couldn’t move my leg.”
Fordham was taken to hospital and, after tests, it was confirmed he had suffered a minor stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA). If left untreated, a TIA can lead to a stroke. About 10 to 30% of people who have a TIA go on to have a stroke.
He was already on medication to treat a damaged liver and was coming to terms with never being able to drink again.
The minor stroke symptoms wore off within a few hours, which is normal. This explains why many people fail to seek medical attention after a minor stroke.
The minor stroke was on the right side of Fordham's brain, which affected the left side of his body.
Liver complications
Andy’s month-long stay in hospital, which is unusual for a TIA patient, was due to complications resulting from his liver problems. He believes that the minor stroke was a result of complications from excessive drinking.
Since collapsing just before the world championship, Andy has had to make several changes to his lifestyle. He lost 10 stone (63.5kg) in 10 months and now weighs under 21 stone (133kg). “When I look in the mirror now, I feel small and fragile,” he says.
“My wife [Jenny] says I’m half the man I used to be, and she’s not kidding.” The pictures above show Fordham in 2004 when he won the championship, and as he is today.
Since his hospitalisation, the arrows champion has given up his 25 bottles of beer a day habit. “I haven’t had a drop since January 8 2007, 5.45pm,” he says. “It’s not been easy but I know if I drink again it will end up killing me.”
Fordham never smoked and now eats more healthily, although he admits to having a weakness for a Chinese takeaway occasionally.
“I feel a lot fitter these days,” he says. “I can move more easily. Jenny says I seem to laugh a lot more, too.”
During his recovery, Fordham didn't pick up the darts at once. He made his comeback in November 2007 but, after an eight-month break, found it hard to rediscover the form that took him to the top of the sport.
“Every time I play I can see a bit of improvement," he says. “I just need to rebuild my confidence. I know I’ve got the skill, I just need to find it again.”
