"Amazing care"

In early December I was diagnosed out of the blue with a large Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and swiftly underwent a battery of tests to identify the best way forward and was advised that an open repair was by far my best option which I quickly agreed to. I was admitted to the RD&E on the 4th of January and underwent the operation the same day. The operation went well and I was in theatre for approximately 3 hours. I stayed in Recovery for roughly a day and a half and was then transferred to Exe ward for the next 2 weeks while I recovered sufficiently to be able to be discharged. Longer than expected due to complications (caused by my own body time to recover, not any fault of the surgery).

The care and attention I received through the whole process was second to none. Prior to my operation, my diagnosis was identified in a routine abdominal scan offered to all 65 year old men for which I will be forever grateful to the AAA scanning team following which I was put into a very speedy and efficient process to identify the best surgical solution for me and the operation booked.

I have to thank the wider Vascular team not only for a successful operation which has undoubtedly increased my life expectancy but also for the excellent aftercare during my stay which enabled me to recover to the point of discharge. I also have to thank the team in Recovery who looked after me so well prior to my ward transfer but the real stars of the show were the staff and nurses of Exe ward. I find it hard to put into words my gratitude for the way the Exe ward team looked after me during my recovery. It was nothing short of inspirational. The dedication and genuine warmth and care I was subjected to is something I will never forget. Genuine heroes.