This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"Quad bypass cardiac surgery "

About: Royal Shrewsbury Hospital / Cardiology Royal Stoke University Hospital / Cardiology Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust / Emergency ambulance

(as the patient),

At 72, and having not needed a doctor for 30 years, I began getting chest pains, I had an angiogram at Queen Mary Hospital Shrewsbury, and was transferred to Stoke the next day. I had my operation, the day after, and celebrated my 73 birthday the day after the operation. 5 days later I was allowed home.

Right away, the chest pains vanished, and have recovered very quickly. I have always been active, gardening and sailing, but very soon after the pains began, I was expecting my house with its big garden would be up for sale, either by me or my widow. That is now no longer a possibility

I cannot speak too highly of the treatment I have had from my GP in Newtown, by the staff at Shrewsbury and at Stoke, not forgetting the ambulance teams in both Wales and England

Thank you for my life back

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from University Hospitals of North Midlands 9 years ago
Submitted on 20/08/2014 at 16:10
Published on Care Opinion on 22/08/2014 at 09:22


Dear 'St David'

Thank you for taking the time to leave this comment. I have passed your kind words on to the Cardiothoracic team. I am sure the team will be delighted to read these positive comments about your care.

Joanne Hiney – Operational Services Manager

Heart Centre

Response from Regional Head of Patient Experience, West Midlands Ambulance Service 9 years ago
Submitted on 03/09/2014 at 21:33
Published on Care Opinion on 04/09/2014 at 09:43


Dear St David

Thank you for your feedback and I hope you are keeping well.

We would like to share your comments with the ambualnce staff and would be grateful if you would consider contacting the Patient Experience Team on telephone number 01384 246366 or email pals@wmas.nhs.uk

kind regards

Marie Tideswell

Head of Patient Experience

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by St David (the patient)

Today - 9 July 2015 - is exactly 12 months on from the day I had my angiogram, and the clinician said" I can't let you go home", so I thought I would let you know how I have got on since then

.

I remain eternally grateful to the doctor who would not let me go home, to the surgical team led by Mr Balacumaraswami, and to all the staff at Shrewsbury and Stoke. the last 12 months have been months of steady and solid recovery..

Last autumn as I got back on my feet I cleared out my sheds and garage, this year I have recovered my garden, we've just picked our first courgettes, raspberries and blackcurrants. In April I got my level 2 powerboat certificate. In May I rebuilt my back porch and just before I started writing this I finished redecorating a bedroom.

None of this would have been possible without the excellent work and care of the NHS staff at Shrewsbury and Stoke on Trent, not forgetting the ambulance staff

Thank you all, again

Update posted by St David (the patient)

nearly 2 years have passed, so I thought a brief update might be in order, perhaps to encourage those facing a by-pass procedure. I have no regrets whatsoever: for the last year I have had the lifestyle I had before the angina, and before the by-pass, and am still immensely grateful to the NHS staff responsible. I eat healthily and sensibly, and drink hardly ever, and hadn't smoked for almost 30 years anyway. I enjoy very active gardening, sailing

My thanks to all who made this possible, especially Mr Balacumaraswami and his team

Update posted by St David (the patient)

Just to update after 4 years post op, and approaching my 77th birthday - still running like a watch, all due to the staff at both Shrewsbury and Stoke on Trent, and of course my wife. If anyone is looking for re-assurance faced with the need for this surgery - go for it! I have never regretted it.

Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k