"Thank you for saving my life."

In August 2021 I woke up in morning feeling ok. I went upstairs to get pair of shorts as it was nice day. No problems walking upstairs or any different feelings.

My wife was going out in car to do usual stuff and said to me ‘there is a sandwich for you later and what are you going to do while I am away.

Don’t worry about me as I have some things to watch on television.

Next thing I knew I was waking up in ICU about 4 or 5 days later.

I had no idea what had happened but saw my wife at bedside. She had told me I had a heart attack which I could not fathom how. I knew I was struggling coz of tubes etc etc in my body..

Seemingly I had called ambulance myself, called my wife then opened front door to allow Paramedics access to me. I think I collapsed after that.

The Paramedics (Leven ambulance crew) saved my life initially as they worked on me for about 15 mins to bring me back.

In ICU I was very agitated and restless. But the staff were just brilliant with me and looked after me so well. 

They helped wash me and did all that I needed to make me comfortable. I was then due to go to Royal  but unfortunately no bed for me. On the Friday my wife came to visit me and I said I am going to the Royal today at some point.

Unbeknown to me my wife did not like colour of me but obviously said nothing to me. I told my wife to go home because hopefully be away to royal. I went to toilet and came out and had this horrible pain in my chest/abdomen area. I shouted on nurse that I was struggling badly and immediately they hooked me up to machine and sprayed under my tongue.

The head Doctor said this man needs to go to Edinburgh now.

An ambulance was despatched and as quick as they could got me over to royal.

Through the night I had a few more setbacks (heart attacks) and I was becoming quite scared. The nurses etc were brilliant with me reassuring me all was going to be ok. In the morning I was taken to the theatre and doctor

Fitted a stent as I had one artery blocked. I can’t remember how long it took but I was back in recovery ward to have my breakfast. How FANTASTIC was that. My wife and son came in to see me and told me I was back to normal colour again. 

The weekend went quite quickly and was discharged on the Monday around dinner time.

Once home the only problem I had was my rib cage and underneath were incredibly sore but I knew reason for that. I started going for small walks as quickly as I felt able to as I knew I needed strength back to better cope with what had happened. I am now on tablets to help cope with repair to heart etc. The follow up from NHS has been so good. Because of NHS I am alive today and that is a fact that cannot be argued with.

3 months on I am back working (Small part time job) and comfortably walking good distances and not out of breath. 

I have no memory of initial setback so I have no bad dreams or thoughts at all. 

Once again I want to say to everyone involved in saving my life and looking after me so well in ambulance,hospital and after care a massive

                        THANK YOU.