A FORMER patient at the John Radcliffe Hospital is offering nurses free tickets to the opera to say thanks for their care and attention.

Book editor Cherry Mosteshar, 52, has sung the praises of nurses who cared for her during 10 days of tests at the JR last year after doctors feared she had a brain bleed.

Now she wants nurses to enjoy the delights of an opera featuring Oscar Mancino, which she is hosting, as part of the city’s Oxfringe festival.

Ms Mosteshar, from Elsfield, was referred to the hospital in September last year after she woke with an extreme migraine and found she was slurring her words.

The emergency doctor feared Ms Mosteshar might have had a stroke and said she was displaying the tell-tale signs of a brain bleed.

She said: “I couldn’t quite believe it.

“I woke up in the morning feeling like someone had hit me over the head with a heavy stick.

“I had a horrendous headache and started to take some migraine pills and rang the doctor to see if it was okay if I could take any more.

“When they said it could be a brain bleed, I thought’ is this going to completely change my life?’”

After undergoing a CT scan, an MRI scan and a painful lumbar puncture — where doctors pulled out fluid from her spine — Ms Mosteshar was given the all-clear.

However, she says she was touched by the care and reassurance given by the nurses.

Ms Mosteshar, the owner and chairman of the Oxford Editors Literary Advice Service, said: “I was so well looked after by our wonderful nurses that I was looking for a chance to thank them.

“They were just so fantastic and you don’t really get to appreciate how hard they work until you are taken to hospital.

“Our nurses work long hours and in difficult conditions which rather takes the shine off what to them is a great vocation.

“I want them to come and get their batteries recharged by the volcanic energy, charm and passion of Oscar Mancino and leave the theatre with big smiles on their faces, a spring in their steps and beautiful music ringing in their ears.”

Ms Mosteshar has at least 20 free tickets available for NHS nurses for the performance by Mr Mancino at the North Wall Theatre in Summertown, Oxford, tomorrow.

The tickets are available on a first-come first-served basis from the theatre box office on 01865 319 450.

Nurses should quote “nurses offer” when they call and turn up with ID when they pick up the tickets.

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk