Whilst in Hospital

5th December 2003:
Admission to Blackpool Victoria Hospital at 12 noon. Reported directly to The Lancashire Suite. During the afternoon a doctor came to see me to ask lots of medical questions including any family heart related conditions. I then signed the consent form for the operation, the risks were included on this form.

Later the Anaesthetist came to see me and said he would give me something to help me sleep.

The Surgeon came to see me at 4.45pm to see if I had any questions about the operation. He prefers his patients to have a complete body shave prior to the operation, this was carried out by 2 of the nurses. It was also required to have one of 2 showers using an anticeptic scrub.

6th December 2003:
Prior to the operation I had the second shower this morning, was allowed a small breakfast (2 slices of toast and a hot drink with little milk) and then nothing to eat or drink after 6am.

Have operation for Mitral Valve Repair. There is a good chance that the valve can be repaired. The operation went ahead approx 12:30 and lasted about 5 hours, and into the Cardiac Surgery Unit (CSU) for about 5.30pm.

A funny thing happened on the way to the operating theatre, in that as I was being prepared at the doors of the theatrem I saw a large Spider at the end of the bed. The medical staff quickly captured it and let it go in a more suitable environment. I consider that was my lucky spider.

Sunday, 7th December 2003: (aka Day 1)
I came around in CSU, and was told that the operation had been a successful repair. Later on in the afternoon I was transferred back into my private room on the Lancashire Suite of the Victoria Hospital in Blackpool. I was feeling very weak once I had awoken, and was finding it very uncomfortable lying on my back, especially when it came to go to sleep. All the time I was wearing an Oxygen mask to make sure I was receiving enough oxygen. I also had to wear surgical stockings night and day to prevent any blood clots occuring. Regular pain relief was required to ease any chest pain.

Monday, 8th December 2003: (aka Day 2)
Managed to get out of bed and sit in a chair for a while, but did not attempt to walk, even to the ensuite bathroom. Fluids at this time are being monitiored anyway. I was still wearing the oxygen mask only being able to remove it to eat or drink. Certain foods were difficult to digest like toast, and eating was therefore very slow. I started doing breathing exercises which were sometimes quite difficult, but was encouraged to keep trying. It was very important to learn how to cough with a rolled up towel held firmly against the sternum (breast bone) so not to do any damage. In the evening the oxygen intake was reduced to wearing a tube under the nose.

Tuesday, 9th December 2003: (aka Day 3)
I was able to do without the oxygen for the first time, and walked half-way down the corridor with the help of the physiotherapist nurse. By the afternoon I would walk the full length of the corridor at a time. I was asked to try to walk at hourly intervals. I was able to make a few phone calls and talk for a while, but would quickly get out of breath.

Wednesday, 10th December 2003: (aka Day 4)
X-Ray of the chest and ECG (Electrocardiogram) taken this morning. I was finding it difficult to sleep most nights. Did more walking at 2 lengths of the corridor at a time, and walked down and up 2 flights of stairs with the physiotherapist. I got a migraine in the afternoon which set me back a bit, caused through being over tired. Talking and making phone calls were becoming easier. Started getting burning pains in my upper right leg.

Thursday, 11th December 2003: (aka Day 5)
Echocardiogram taken this morning. I had the tapes taken off the sturnum (breast bone) and 4 wires taken out of the chest (each one about 8 inches in length). The Cardiologist came to see me in the afternoon and confirmed that the operation had been a complete success, and that there was no signs of any leaking of the valve. I was now walking 3 lengths of the corridor at a time, and the surgeon , said that I would be able to leave the next day (Friday) or Saturday. I was tired in the afternoon soon after lunch and had to rest.

Friday, 12th December 2003: (aka Day 6)
With being able to walk about more and get some exercise, it became very important to have a bit of a sleep in the afternoon. Also by now I was finding it much easier to talk to people for longer without getting out of breath. Went to sleep for 2 hours in the afternoon. Walking up to 4 lengths of the corridor at a time now. Also had another go at the stairs, but this always had to be accompanied by one of the nurses.

Saturday, 13th December 2003: (aka Day 7)
Get ready to leave hospital. My wife and daughter came to collect me and take me back to our home in Kendal.