My Heart

Strangely whilst the hospital team work on recovery begining the day after surgery. I have this thing in my head that it only started when I left the hospital. The only things I can do is walking, simple leg exercises and breathing exercises. The walking part I love so be focusing on that and breathing exercises. I try to walk at least 3 times a day. Focusing on 300 - 500 metres. I am really pleased that today I completed 2 seperate walks of 1K each, for which I am really pleased 

The events regarding my heart since the heart attack: (a condensed version) Date Event Heart attack day I experienced a heart attack and had a Stent implanted in my right coronary artery  October, 23 Went home for recovery before surgery October 26 The night before surgery. I was admitted to the hospital and completed pre-surgery preparations, including a half-body shave. October 27 Triple Bypass Surgery Day. The surgery, initially delayed by an overnight emergency, was only started at 9:30am October 26 I had further surgery due to bleeding, one day after the initial bypass. I was happy to be able to sit up this evening and was moved to a new ward. October 31 Tubes removed, X-rays and other tests completed  in prep for discharge November 1 Hospital Discharge.  I was eventually discharged at about 6pm on Saturday

Well today the plan is to be released at a 4pm. Then hoping to go and stay with friends. Yesterday during my safety test I managed to walk up 2 flights of stairs The guid from the rehab team here that you should walk until you cave a bit out of breath but only just able to hold a conversation. So I walked around muttering to myself  "I am still able to hold a conversation so can still walk" I then noticed the looks I was getting from the patients and their families who were arriving for surgery the next day. Can you imagine encountering an unshaved 63 year old me in shorts with a wound dressing down one leg from knee to ankle surrounded by a massive bruise, with a couple of mobile phone size devices hanging off his chest, buzzing every couple of seconds muttering "I am still able to hold a conversation so can still walk"

I seem to have a wonderful view of St. Paul's. Although it's a reflective view, it's still wonderful. I have been in this room for the last 3 days and it's been lovely in terms of the employees who have taken care of me. I keep my curtains open as much as I can. everything I want I should be able to go home tomorrow. Should be Saturday and I will won't be too bad 6 days from the from the surgery. I hadn't quite realised all the tube that they had put in me as part of my recovery process aving found out whilst they were taking them out.

Hi, every body I very happy to be able to sit up this evening despite having a triple bypass yesterday and a further surgery today because I was bleeding.  Thank you everybody for your well wishes on the day it was very much appreciated.moved to a new ward 

8:35 - really hoping I get that morning slot 09:10 - the surgeon came to apologise for the delay but it is due to there being an overnight emergency. That I will be collected between 9:30 and 9:45. So stress levels have dropped. A bit  09:42 - Holding thumbs lol

So here I sit the night before my surgery. I am humbled by the amazing support that people have shown over the last week.  Thanks to all of you. The emplees at Bart's on the 4th seem just as wonderful as the 3rd floor.  I have been visited by a surgeon and an anaesthetist. To explain everything and put me at ease.  I am happy to be able to shower in the morning and continue my decontamination process. I seem to be booked in for the morning so hopefully I will wake up in ICU sometime in the afternoon. All being well I will be able to have Visitors. I will keep you posted. Thank you all for your wonderful messages support and prayers. I can't explain how much it means to me. Before I sign off just had complete a rather unflattering half body shave. Resulting in a large rather wobbly mosaic of hair and skin. Definitely not for the faint hearted. Good night alll

This evening I received a call from a wonderful gentleman from St Barts Hospital, a clinical nurse who talked me through any queries I had about the surgery and my visit to the hospital starting on Sunday evening. It seems that Saint Bart's is able to excel every time I have any dealings with them. I now have all my questions answered and what I need to do to prepare myself for Sunday which is to make sure that I have some proper shoes to wear for my recovery days and also take all my meds along as they will be reviewed daily. I also need comfy clothes. Apparently not too fashionable. So as not show up anyone. He is not aware of the fashion icon he will have on his hands next week 

Well I collected the body wash that the the hospital recommended I wash with the two days prior to attending the hospital. If you look at what it is? I think they're sending me a message of sorts