Sue’s story:
“On 30 December I collapsed in the lane outside my house and was taken to
A&E at Pinderfields. Told I had a heart murmur and recommended that I should
have an Echocardiogram, which would take several weeks to arrange. Sent
home after advising that I could travel by air. Visited Spain for a 6-day holiday.
Finally received Echo appointment for 8 March.
We flew again on 5 February to Amsterdam to celebrate our 54th wedding
anniversary. Next day we had booked tickets for the Van Gogh museum. Were
very careful to use lifts and avoid situations that made me breathless. However,
on returning to hotel felt unwell and eventually a local GP was called. He
listened to my heart murmur and got straight on to the cardiologist at the local
hospital who requested I should be admitted. Went by taxi to hospital and
straight onto Cardiac Ward. Next day given an Echocardiogram and finally a
diagnosis of Acute Aortic Stenosis with Syncope - a complete surprise to my
husband and myself. There was talk of operating there and then, but we
wanted to return to the UK. The Cardiologist agreed, but only if we did not fly!
Then began a long journey. We booked a taxi to take us from Amsterdam to
Rotterdam and a ferry from Rotterdam to Hull. Our son had to collect our car
from the car park at Leeds-Bradford airport. Our daughter came to pick us up in
Hull at 8 am on Saturday morning only to find that the ship was unable to dock
because of Storm Ciara and we had anchored back out at sea until it was safe
to land. However, we had asked for assistance getting off the ship and when
the staff found out I was ill, I was in trouble for not disclosing this when we
boarded. We were told that 4 people onboard had registered showing their title
as Dr, but could be any type, and if I felt unwell they would start knocking on
doors. Obviously, being airlifted off was impossible - that really scared us! We
spent 8 hours out a sea and finally docked at 4 pm and our daughter, who had
returned to Hull, picked us up. She drove us straight to A&E at LGI where I was
admitted on the night of 9 February 2020. We finally knew that I was in safe
hands! Had to be isolated for 7 days as I had been in a hospital abroad and
that's when I was in a room overlooking the Zen Garden. Also on the ward was
the Take Heart fish tank, which was much enjoyed by my great-granddaughter.
We thought I would be allowed home to await my operation, but no, Mr
Elmahdy put paid to that idea - I was going nowhere until he had sorted out my
heart valve, which he did on 20 February. Six days later I was discharged and
finally made it home. We are so grateful to the wonderful Staff at LGI for their
care, at what was the worst time of my life, which they definitely saved. Also to
Take Heart for all the work they do at the hospital. I made several trips around
the building for tests and these were brightened up by the lovely artwork in the
corridors. Unfortunately in February the weather was not conducive to enjoying
the rooftop garden.”
Very many thanks Sue. You’ve been through the mill…
Even more thanks for arranging the appeal for Take
Heart,
If you would like to donate, please click on the link
below to go to her page. If you would like to listen to
the Fairburn Singers, - click here>>
Have your volume up!