Steve's Story

Hi All,

Back in February 2008 my wife & I embarked on a caravan holiday planned for France & Spain. After a few overnight stops we arrived at our destination on a site at Sitges south of Barcelona.

To cut a long story short I suffered a heart attack on site. Emergency services were brilliant - 2 ambulances & doctor that gave me the clot buster drug and I spent a week in intensive care. My wife received tremendous support from the caravan site owners & guests, our son came over to take wife & dog & caravan back and I was flown home with a doctor paid for by my holiday insurance.

We struggled a bit to get an early appointment at our local hospital and meanwhile I got on with life as best I could.

About a month later I went in for a check up to our hospital - they wouldn't let me leave again until I had an angiogram. As I had one 14 years earlier with a stent I was not too worried.

The Angiogram showed 3 blocked arteries and I was listed for a bypass.

Blind terror set in! I saw the usual support staff & was a little reassured but still scared stiff. However, I decided the only way I was going to get out was to let it all happen. After about 5 weeks in hospital I was listed for an operation in Barts in London (120 miles away)

When I got there I thought it was a depressing tip to be honest with paint flaking off the walls etc. I understand it has now been done up. Saw one of the surgical team but not the main man - I still have never met the guy who has had his hand on my heart!

In total I was in Barts for 6 days and then Taxi’d home at the NHS expense. Had my wife with me.

As it turned out I was given a quadruple bypass - not the triple I was expecting.

The first 6 weeks at home were pretty rough to be honest - no pain at all but very tired and couldn’t do anything. And those damned stockings were awful. I thought “is this what it is going to be like??”

After the first 6 weeks I started the excercise classes and things started improving - feeling better & doing more.

I had the operation 8th May 2008 and during that autumn I replaced the facia & guttering on our bungalow. What a difference to the way I had felt before Spain - always tired.

Now I can walk miles and feel generally pretty lucky & pretty good. Immediately after the operation I never believed I would get my normal life back - but I did!

I have to thank the Spanish health service which was very good, The UK NHS with whom I have no complaints, my wife & son and the people at the campsite in Spain for getting me through. Also the holiday insurance company who were excellent.

To anyone reading this who is facing a similar operation I would say from my experience - it is going to be a bit rough for a couple of months but it is not going to be painful. Leave it to the experts that really DO know what they are doing and it really is worth it. It is not the end of the world

Regards

Steve

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Steve's Story

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