Lucy Jeffery, a library manager who had only been in her role for a month, has thanked colleagues for rushing to her aid when she suffered a horrific medical episode at Gorseinon Library. The 34-year-old feared she was having a heart attack after experiencing violent illness, profuse sweating, inability to walk or open her eyes, and tingling in her arms.
Colleagues Rally Around
Three of the seven staff who helped Dr Jeffery came from other libraries in Swansea. They stayed with her for hours while waiting for paramedics, before one of them drove her and her wife Anna Varadi, who had rushed back from work in Cardiff, to Morriston Hospital. Dr Jeffery recalled being in the kitchen of Gorseinon Library when she felt the room spinning. Within minutes, she was violently ill and unable to move.
"At the time my colleagues and I feared that I was experiencing a heart attack," she said. "When I was lying on the floor of the staff kitchen for six hours no fewer than seven colleagues from Swansea Council's library team were unbelievably supportive, caring, and kept me going throughout the whole ordeal." She added: "It was horrific - the fear of not knowing what was happening."
Diagnosis and Recovery
Dr Jeffery has since been diagnosed with Meniere's disease, a rare inner ear condition that affects balance and hearing. The NHS describes symptoms including vertigo, hearing loss, loss of balance, and feeling or being sick. Meniere's disease cannot be cured, and over time those affected may lose more hearing and get constant tinnitus, but treatment can help manage symptoms.
Fortunately, Dr Jeffery already had an appointment with a consultant following recent episodes of vertigo and an audiology assessment that confirmed slight hearing loss in her right ear. She said "there was no hesitation" from the consultant in diagnosing Meniere's disease. "I had never even heard of it," said Dr Jeffery, who holds a doctorate in English literature. "I'm one of these people who has taken their health for granted."
Family History of Miracles
Four years ago, her father Allan Jeffery suffered a cardiac arrest while out canvassing ahead of local government elections. He was given CPR by a former nurse, Liz Kift, whose door in Brynmill he happened to have knocked on. A nearby trainee doctor also helped save his life before paramedics arrived. Mr Jeffery came round at Morriston Hospital and went on to be elected as a councillor for the first time. "He's a walking miracle and Liz [Kift] is a family friend now," said Dr Jeffery. "She's a nurse, my mum's a nurse."
Looking Forward
Dr Jeffery is now back at work and on medication, has made changes to her diet, and notified the DVLA and her motor insurance company. She said she'll need to make adjustments following her diagnosis. "You think: 'My gosh, this could interrupt my day at any point.' But support from colleagues and family has made me think I can carry on – take things a bit easier but don't look back."
