By Charlene Macaulay
Wyndham man John Carnevali has been released from hospital and is at home eight weeks after suffering a heart attack, cardiac arrest and stroke.
The 45-year-old was left with a hypoxic brain injury and cognitive deficits after the June 3 health shock, with his brain deprived of oxygen for about 20 minutes during the ordeal.
However, his rehabilitation has defied the odds, and John was able to leave Sunshine Hospital and go home last Wednesday.
His wife Melissa said the family was now trying to adjust to a new kind of normal, with John requiring 24-hour supervision.
She said while his physical progress had been phenomenal, his brain injury has left him with severe short-term memory deficits.
Despite this, Melissa is determined to be positive.
“The fact that he has survived this is truly amazing,” she said.
Meanwhile, Melissa said she had been “totally overwhelmed” by the love and support she has received from family, friends and the wider Wyndham community.
A GoFundMe page has raised more than $32,000, and a fundraising event at the Italian Sports Club raised more than $30,000.
Meanwhile, a Zumba fundraiser will be held on September 1 at Transition Sports Hoppers Crossing. For information, go to bit.ly/2OH0U3d
