"Thanks from the Bottom of my Heart"

Anything else?

I want to sing the praises of the Cardiac Teams based in East Surrey Hospital and in the London Heart Hospital. In February 2007 I had an angiogram followed by an angioplasty - this was very successful and I enjoyed good health until last year when I began to feel very unwell - tired, breatheless, finding it incresinly difficult to walk my dog without an angina attack and having to use my GTN spray (or TNT as I like to call it!!). My GP referred me back to the consultant I have been with since my first diagnosis six years ago. I was booked in for an angiogram for the following week where it was discovered that I had four more occlusions in my artery. As there were so many an angioplasty could not be performed at ESH so I was booked into the London Heart Hospital for the following week. I had blood tests and MRSA swabs at ESH which were sent to UCL in preparation for my procedure the following Monday. In the event the angioplasty was not successful as there was too much calcification for the stents to be inserted. HOWEVER... all was not lost. The consultant said to me 'My darling we need another bit of kit, we need to use a special laser to drill'. Having been on the table for nigh on two hours my body was feeling the effects and glad for some respite. It was explained to me very clearly what would happen and that I would be given some weeks to recover before the planned Rotablation & stenting. The cardiac team are really amazing - totally professional but also very kind and caring, music plays softly in the Cath Lab where the procedures are carried out and they talk to you all the time you are undergoing the PCI. Very comforting indeed, after all they don't want you to be any more distressed than you already are. So - on 22 January 2013 I was again admitted for the Rotablation & stenting. I was nervous - who wouldn't be? I also knew what to expect and that it wouldn't be just a quick 45 minutes or so! The team put me totally at ease, my pre-op care was wonderful. It's a small ward and I had a designated specialist nurse who looked after me and prepared me for theatre. The same nurse looked after me when I returned to the ward. The doctors and surgeons are very cheerful and calm and explain things thoroughly - everything possible is done to put you at your ease. Please remember - this is the National Health - this is what they're good at and what they do best. The procedure was successful and I cannot thank the team enough - they literally saved my life! The consultant and another Doctor were my surgeons on the day - their team of cardiac specialists were incredible - they even had me laughing at one stage! The clinics I attend at ESH and the Cardiac re-hab sessions there with the physio team have all been great. Thank you - I know it's a cliche but - from the bottom of my heart, it's fixed thanks to you!