"I just feel very lucky to have entered the hospital when I did"

My overwhelming thought one night was to see the next morning. Felt worse, in spite of prescribed antibiotics and took the very lucky decision to visit A&E. Staggered into A&E with extreme breathing difficulties that were worsening by the hour and from that moment, received 150% care.

After Covid19 test, CT scan and other explorations it was clear I was suffering blood clots on both lungs, technically pulmonary embolism. Given blood thinning injections and medicines, then transferred to a general ward for monitoring vital functions, the general attention was exemplary.

I cannot offer higher praise to all the staff who dealt with my health, from my initial induction through A&E, porters, cleaning, catering, technical, nursing; everyone, co-operation, co-ordination, communication and teamwork. It would be unfair to mention all the names and can't remember them all anyway. Just suffice to say that, after three nights/four days I am discharged and very definitely on the mend.

Always enjoying great health, this experience was a shock as one expects to be almost invulnerable. The condition had clearly been building since January when I first felt the symptoms that strangely almost disappeared until re-emerging to a greater extent in June.

So I spent the best part of a week in hospital, my co-patients were great; probably suffering worse illnesses than me, I just feel very lucky to have entered the hospital when I did. The alternative did cross my mind several times over the last few weeks until the diagnosis on Tuesday afternoon.

Like a certain political character I will always be grateful for our NHS