"Every staff member was brilliant"

I took unwell in my work in August  2021 and an Ambulance was called. I thought at first I had fainted but then I thought I was having a heart attack. The ambulance crew were fantastic and kept me calm, everything was normalised when they checked me over I only had high blood pressure and we joined the ambulance queue to be received at A&E.

I needed to go to the toilets and the paramedic took me in a chair and accompanied me. Unfortunately I collapsed when getting back on the chair but the swift action of paramedic and location meant I was rushed into resuscitation.  So a massive thank you to that paramedic who reacted quickly.

I felt like I was in an episode of Casualty. I had lines in, an ECG, blood taken, put in a gown and given  oxygen.  The team around me soon had identified the problem to be a heart attack or pulmonary embolism . I had bloods sent to lab.

They phoned my family and I had a CT scan. It was so quick - as soon as the test results came back from the lab we knew it was a pulmonary embolism and scan showed severity of the situation. Treatment began immediately.  A Covid test was done and I went to HD after a short stay at AMU.

The care and compassion that was shown to me in HDU 6  was outstanding. My treatment didn’t go as planned and it was touch and go for a few days. I cannot thank nurses doctors and auxiliary staff enough for there care. There were a few scary moments when I thought I might not make it but I did. Heather was fantastic and stayed with me while I was thrombolysed even though she should have been on a break. I cannot thank her enough. The staff - all staff were fantastic and they kept me positive.

I then moved to respiratory ward where I stayed for 8 nights. Every staff member from radiographer, ultrasound person.  auxiliary nurse. Cleaner. Charge nurse. Nurses and doctors were brilliant . Don’t forget the lab staff who dealt with my many samples. An entire team effort. Six months later I have started a phased return to work and I am so grateful to have survived. Many different staff / groups played  a part in my diagnosis and treatment and showed care compassion and professionalism. Thank you   The advanced equipment and trained staff saved my life .