"Near death experience."

Quite simply the team at Hammersmith Hospital saved my life on Friday18th May, something for which I shall forever be in their debt.

I was transferred to Hammersmith from Watford General having been rushed there by ambulance after feeling unwell earlier that morning. I was admitted for emergency cardio/thoracic surgery to repair a dissection of the aortic root. I believe surgery commenced around 18:00 and continued for about 5 hours. I was taken to the Intensive Care Unit where I stayed for a couple of weeks; I remained under anaesthetic for some time eventually coming round 5 or 6 days later. A day or two later, I had a pacemaker fitted and was then able to settle down to recovering on ICU.

I was transferred to the ward having spent over two weeks in ICU and after two or three days was discharged home.

This episode was probably the most traumatic thing I have ever experienced in my life and my life would surely have been cut short if it were not for the fantastic cardio/thoracic team and all the support functions.

Although this is not something I would wish to repeat, my stay at Hammersmith could not have been better; every member of staff could not have been more helpful, always cheerful and friendly.