"My Cardiology Journey Back to Health - thanks to everyone in NHS Grampian"

I feel that people are often quick to complain and slow to praise and so I wanted to express my thanks and appreciation to the dozens of healthcare professionals here in Aberdeen, Scotland that have helped me on a journey that began with the sudden appearance of unstable angina, subsequent cardiac bypass, cardiac rehab and now getting my life back together.

What I noticed about my several months' of experience is the relentless, constant workload pressures of everyone involved at every step of my care.  And yet I was never hurried, always listened to and at all times felt that my care and recovery was foremost in the minds of those that treated me.  It is only with hindsight that I can look back and think about the huge list of individuals that have had some part to play in my care.  Teams of individuals that start with GP surgeries, passed to hospital teams in cardiology, surgery,  pharmacists and last but by no means least the physios.  

If this site is about providing tips and suggestions to others then mine would simply be to go to your cardio rehab classes if they are offered.  After bypass surgery (chest opened up with a saw, heart lifted out, stopped and re-plumbed using your own veins and arteries) I felt elated to have woken up (limited memories of ICU) but at the same time nervous about every heart beat and bleep on the monitors I was wired up to.  Post-op coughing, which you are actively encouraged, hurt like hell and if you were unfortunate enough to sneeze.......  Eventually the pain eases a little and you are soon on your way home (with somebody else in your bed as you walk out the door).  I think it was then that I suddenly felt particularly vulnerable.  Especially with my wife back at work and me alone in the house.  Then I received my invitation to Cardio Rehab.  If I am honest, I was a reluctant attender not knowing at the time that this was going to be life-changing.  What better place than cardio rehab to get your confidence back.  Push yourself physically (within strict limitations) in an environment that surrounds you with NHS professionals ready to act if something did go wrong.  Add into the mix the camaraderie and support of a group of men and women each on their own similar "heart" journey meant that cardio rehab became the most important 2x 1 hours of my week.  My confidence came flooding back and even a love of exercise, that I probably lost 20 years ago, came back a little too.  After 8 weeks I have "graduated" from cardio rehab and miss it terribly but have continued with help from my family to keep my levels of exercise up, at least for now.  

Thanks again to everyone in NHS Grampian and a special thanks to the physios in Cardio Rehab, you are doing an amazing job.