What a harrowing story. I'm glad you had the courage to share it with us and so happy you're making a full recovery. It sounds like you have wonderful family around you.
I see that you live in London. You are so lucky to have that health care available to you! Like you, I left work several months ago to attend to family obligations and consider next steps for life. As an American, this means that my wife and I are now uninsured. If either one of us went through your ordeal here, it would mean selling our house and living in debt for the rest of our life.
They won't let you leave the hospital unless you passed something ...
Back in 1998 I had brain surgery to release the pressure from a acute subdural hematoma following a bike accident. I was in a coma for four days and spent three more in the hospital after waking up, when they said it was time to go home. I didn't have a bowel movement for two more weeks! Nobody asked about it.
Even 20 years ago, the bill for that stay was over $20,000!
Oh wow! Yes, I am indeed lucky to be in the UK/Europe and also close to a very good hospital. The bowel thing was one of the main checkpoints even at admission, ha!
My wife was amazed when she went to the doctor over there. They said, "You're not part of the NHS, so you'll be paying privately." Even then, they charged her 50 pounds for a visit that would have been $400 here in the US.
Your doctors practice medicine, while ours practice business.