"My emergency heart surgery and recovery"

At the end of February 2023 I was advised I had Severe Aorta Stenosis and would require urgent surgery to replace the Aorta valve.

By the end of March I had caught a cold and was admitted to A & E at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with Pneumonia and failing kidneys. The cardiac team saw me and decided they would initially fight my infections and operate later that week.

Later that evening it was decided the op couldn't wait and they would take extra precautions to fight the infections. The following day after what I think was the most horrible night of my life, and possibly my son's too, I had my op and started my road to recovery.

I must thank Mr Giordano and his surgical team for changing my life. I didn't get to meet all of you but am very grateful for all your work. I have been lucky all my life to have only required minimal NHS care but from the people I encountered at my desperate time  I have been so impressed with all of them. 

It was the first time I had called an ambulance and the handler was so reassuring.  The Paramedics were so calming and explained everything as did the A & E staff. 

My pre op night in Ward 103 was very stressful but I was very well looked after. I don't think I remember it all.  I woke up the day after surgery in ICU with a lovely nurse whose name I can't remember but she explained everything that had happened and what was about to happen. 

Later that day I was moved to Ward 102, Base A, to start my recovery. The staff on Ward 102 were amazing and nothing was too much for them. They were lovely friendly people who really took an interest in their patients. I could really not say anything negative about any of them. My first  few days were difficult as I was  attached to so much equipment and couldn't move much.

I would like to make special mention to two members of staff who in my mind were exceptionally kind to me when I felt so vulnerable. David, on night shift, who so gently helped me get out of bed for the first time while still attached to equipment so I could go to the loo. He made me feel so comfortable as if it was so natural for him to help me, when it was far from natural for me to need such help.

The other person was Paolo (sorry for spelling) on dayshift. She also was very kind in looking after me in those first few days and did everything with a smile on her face. I think every member of staff was so kind and very efficient. Nothing seemed too much for them and they always dealt with things in a friendly professional manner.

I really cannot express enough gratitude to the wonderful people I encountered through this very traumatic experience.  I started to feel wonderful after just a few days into my recovery and cannot believe how well I feel now I've been home for a few days. 

Dr Bing, my cardiologist told me at my inititial meeting that it would only take a few days after the op for me to realise how ill I had become and how true this was.  I'm now looking forward to the rest of my life, especially being able to enjoy my time with my grandson.