"My heart attack and experience of Hairmyres Hospital this week."

I suffered a heart attack on late Saturday night at a friends 60th birthday party at Hamilton Rugby Club. I was so very luck that many of my fiends had a nursing, dental or were trained first aiders. The club manager phoned quickly and a paramedic was dispatched urgently. My friends got me in the right position and reassured me until the paramedic arrived. Other friends made sure that the over party goers did not enter the room I was in but gave them information on what was happening. This allowed me to be in the best environment for this to happen. The paramedic quickly arrived and got to work and monitored and administered the relevant medicine. He was a calming presence and very professional.. Another friend manned the entrance to the club to ensure the ambulance got in quickly when they arrived.

I was then transferred from the care of the paramedic to the same professional care of the two ambulance men. My wife accompanied me in the ambulance and was given the relevant information on my condition. Another friend who is a Physiotherapist, at Hairmyers but is on maternity leave took my 2 sons to A & E following the ambulance. I as quickly admitted to A & E and  seen quickly and professionally by the team in A & E. Myself and  my family were constantly updated with as much information as the team could give us. This was in a busy Saturday night/ Sunday morning A & E environment. I was transferred at approx 3.-4 am to ward 2. I was again looked after and given all the relevant tests etc by the ward team. On the ward round the doctors confirmed I had a heart attack and the likely options and timescales for my treatment. My added complication was that I had my oldest sons wedding to attend on Friday. The doctors and nurses acknowledged that whilst this was obviously important their priority was my immediate and future wellbeing. Over the next couple of days I was seen by Consulant, cardiologists, all explaining what would happen before, during and after any procedure. All during this time I was looked after with well prepared healthy meals with a choice to suit most people all served by friendly attentive staff. Iced water was always available and nothing seemed to be too much trouble for any of the staff to make sure I was both comfortable and informed. I was told By the cardiologist on the Monday that I would have a angiogram which depending on what this showed could lead to angioplas, stents or possibly by pass surgery. This would take place within the next 24-48 hours. I was transferred to CCU on the Monday. All the staff were again professional friendly and kept me and my family informed of my treatment and condition.. I was seen by the physiotherapist who explained what I could do or couldn't do and timescales for the recovery period. I was given information about a post op excercice plan led by the Physiotherapists twice weekly over an 8 week period which I confirmed I would attend. I was also seen by the cardio rehab nurse who explained what my recovery plan would entail along with medication and lifestyle changes. Both left me with good quality written literature which will be invaluable going forward. I fortunately got a slot for the Tueday afternoon and was prepped and was seen by the surgeon who again explained what the procedure entailed and likely outcomes. I was then taken into the operating theatre and given the angiogram which indicated narrowing of one of the arteries and a stent was duly inserted. All during this a was informed by the surgeon and the operating team what as happening, what possible discomfort I could feel and actions they were taking. As it was I felt nothing!

After completing the procedure the surgeon showed me the before and after picture of the heart and affected artery which illustrated  graphically where the problem was. I had already began to  better from the Sunday afternoon but felt even better after the operation. I was quickly transferred back to care of the CCU team who monitored me closely ensuring again that I was comfortable and informed. Slight temperature rise meant I had to 2 blood test to ensure no infection. I was finally given a discharge on the Wednesday night at 7.00pm . I was give my medication ( I had been seen by the pharmacist earlier to confirm any current medication and possible allergies) and discharge letter, GP letter etc.

I know this might sound or look like  I was given "special" treatment but the reality was I observed my fellow patients that everyone was given the same caring professional  treatment and all with a smile. My thanks to all who were involved in my treatment and recovery, everyday heroes everyone