"Valuable physiotherapy after aortic dissection"

My story began in February 2021 when I had a type “A” Aortic Dissection, cause unknown but with a background of controlled hypertension. The chances of this happening to someone is between 5 and 7 per 100,000 but of these many don't make it through to successful surgery. Needless to say I am very lucky to have the chance to write this short story.

From 5 weeks in hospital and not being able to walk or feed myself, I have managed with the help of healthcare professionals and family to make a remarkable recovery.

The hardest part of my journey was the physiotherapy after leaving hospital but it enabled me function with a large degree of independence. I did admit myself to hospital on one occasion for a week due to a lung infection and fluid but the diuretics and antibiotics soon resolved this issue.

I have had a few lingering issues with my arms and a feeling of heaviness in my legs but thanks to the second lot of physiotherapy sessions these have improved tremendously. In fact, I met with the lead surgeon two days ago, the hottest day of the year so far, and he remarked how well I looked and that I should continue with the healthy lifestyle.

What I have learned from the trauma is that I needed all of the physiotherapy as much as the critical lifesaving surgery. And, although the second part of the physiotherapy was much delayed due to COVID 19, when it was available, it has been instrumental to my recovery.