"My excellent treatment in ICU"

In January 2011 I was admitted to the hospital with respiratory difficulties, my condition quickly deteriorated with me losing consciousness when I was transferred to the ICU where I was place on a ventilator as my lungs had shut down.

After one week my condition deteriorated still further and the Doctors told my family that I may not survive and that the only option left to them was to attached a Novalung to my femoral artery to assist my breathing and hopefully keep me alive long enough to resolve my lung condition, a very expensive and complicated procedure. Many of the Nurses and Doctors caring for me gave up their own time to be instructed by specialists from the Novalung company that make this artificial lung on how to fit, use it and care for me to avoid any of the potential complications that could occur.

I was operated on and the Novalung fitted which proved so effective that one week later I was able to be extubated and revived.

I spent another week recovering in ICU in which time I suffered the most disturbing delusions, probably due to a combination of the drugs I was on and being unconscious for such a long time, during this time the one constant was the high level of care I received from the Nursing staff and Doctors who were all without exception caring, compassionate and very professional, I really cant speak highly enough about these people who work so very hard under the most stressful conditions.

I would like to thank each and every one of the staff that took care of me and supported my family during this stressful time, even if I don't remember you all (I really wasn't quite with it) I shall remain indebted and grateful to you always.