"Husband's advanced heart failure and heart transplant"

At the age of 39 my husband unexpectedly became very ill, he lost 4 stone in weight in 2 weeks because of constant vomiting episodes. A CT scan at our local hospital revealed his heart and liver were both enlarged and fluid had accumulated around all vital body organs. He was transferred to the National Advanced Heart Failure Service at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank and they very quickly got to work on my husband with many tests, scans, IV medication to help his heart pump better, as well as IV diuretic and fluid restriction.

The dedicated and specialised work of the nurses, consultant cardiologists, dietitians and physiotherapists helped my husband get considerably better and after a month there he was discharged home with regular check-ups on the ward. For a while the new medication worked well but after 4 months it became apparent from right heart catheter tests that my husband's health was declining once again. He was readmitted to N. A. H. F. S. D at Golden Jubilee National Hospital and placed on the urgent heart transplant waiting list. A suitable donor match came after 3 months and the heart transplant went ahead with barely any complications. My husband came home 2 weeks after his heart transplant.

He is now 7 months post transplant and doing amazingly well. The Golden Jubilee National Hospital and in particular, in my opinion, the National Advanced Heart Failure Service is a real credit to the Scottish NHS. The care my husband received from his very first admission, to the present day has been outstandingly good. All staff, whether they be from domestic, nurse or consultant professions were very considerate, respectful and professional with the attitude towards my husband and all family and friends. I cannot forget to mention the Golden Jubilee Hotel & Conference Centre which is adjacent to the hospital as they became a home from home for myself and children while my husband was very unwell and the staff at the hotel always endeavoured to help in any way they could. My thanks always to everyone who plays a part to making the Golden Jubilee National Hospital and Hotel what it is.