Four years ago today.

[kefalonia1]

This is a message of hope and survival. Four years ago today l had my second AVR because the first failed five weeks earlier. My healthy heart was ravaged by severe sepsis and infective endocarditis. My hero consultant heart surgeon saved my life for the second time in an 11 hour operation where he rebuilt my heart and dragged me back from the pearly gates (his words). lt took 3 months in hospital, and two years to walk properly and manage my mental state but now l am good. lt is a hard fight my virtual friends but don't ever give up you will make it. This is a tribute to Mr Allan Bryan (now retired) at Bristol Royal lnfirmary who not only saved me but also he saved a family. Keep talking to each other, this site helped me so much especially in the early days when l was scared and so weak inside and out. The future is bright now even with covid. Take care, Sue

[080311]

Good morning kefalonial

I read your post with a lump in my throat, you have come through the most utterly amazing op and are here to help others along the way. I had AVR and bypass done 4 years ago and know how I feel towards the medical team that gave me my life back. Grateful doesn’t cover it. Every day is a blessing.

You are obviously a very strong person mentally and physically, enjoy every day.

Best wishes Pauline

[kefalonia1 in reply to 080311]

Thank you Pauline, l wish you well. We have a new German shepherd puppy and have called her Ava, which means "life" and she is so full of life, the house is alive again she hardly sleeps in the day. but we go walking with her to try and lose our lockdown stomachs!!! Take care, Sue.

[080311 in reply to kefalonia1]

Enjoy your walking with your new puppy, great name you gave her. “Life “ just about covers it😉

[EwaUK]

Thank you.....quite simply thank you. This message was much needed at this time. 💐

[kefalonia1 in reply to EwaUK]

Thank you, take care, Sue.

[francesw47]

What an inspiring and uplifting post. Thank you.

[Fredders]

Hi Sue, so pleased to hear you’re doing so well. I had my second AVR at the end of 2017, thankfully not as an emergency but to replace the tissue one I had a few years before that had started to leak. Thankfully everything’s been good since then. Had my op at Glenfields in Leicester, Dr Hadjinikolau, and couldn’t fault the hospital at all, all the staff were fantastic. It’s amazing what they can do nowadays. Take care and stay safe, Wendy.

[kefalonia1 in reply to Fredders]

Thanks Wendy, we are all survivors, one Doctor told my Husband and our two Sons "we are asking Sue to climb Everest and she might not survive an 11 hour op so soon after the last" Well l climbed it, and in my mind l put a flag at the top, ha, ha. Take care, Sue,

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi Sue What a lovely inspiring post. I'm glad your doing so well and hope you have many happy years with your new family member.

Best wishes, Russell

[kefalonia1 in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Thanks Russell, she is quite naughty but extremely clever she was toilet trained in one day, we adore her.

[skid112 Heart Star]

Nice to hear, glad you are doing well. Good news with the puppy as well, she will certainly keep you on your toes

[kefalonia1 in reply to skid112]

Thanks Skid, hope you are well. Take care, Sue.

[Yass_123]

Very good news and this forum has very friendly people on it wishing you best stay safe

[Becz123]

Hi Sue, could I ask if you had and if so how long you were on antibiotics for this. My husband is in the same situation after 6 weeks and I’m starting to loose hope of the infection ever going away.

[kefalonia1 in reply to Becz123]

Hi Becz, l was on daily antibiotic drips from day one. The hospital was wonderful but it took three months to be infection free but it did lessened over time. l kept reacting badly to eight different types of antibiotics until finally the ninth one worked. When l came home l continued with oral ones for eight weeks. lt takes forever, but please be patient and NEVER give up hope. My Husband and Sons were so supportive but later said it drove them insane because it took so long for me to start showing signs of recovery. When he comes home (and he will), make sure if he has any sort of cut, bite or scratch wash it and apply TCP immediately to the wound no matter how small, l was told that by the top infectious disease Consultant. l was bitten by a horsefly which turned septic so l took myself to A&E and the Doctors told me to continue with antibiotics, l demanded to see the Consultant who admitted me then and there, put me under, cut my foot then sucked out all the poison then put me on a drip for two days until my blood was infection free. l so feel for your Husband this infection makes you so weak and feel like s**t. Please let us know how things are progressing, l will be thinking of you all. Feel free to message me at any time, take care, Sue.

[Becz123 in reply to kefalonia1]

Thank you so much for replying Sue, I’m having a bad two days and feel like this is never going to end. I’m literally heartbroken. Your message has given me hope. I’m so frightened of life without my husband and worry about my three kids no having their dad. I worry the doctors will give up with the infection and your journey has boosted me. I will keep you updated. Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart xx

Becky x

[kefalonia1 in reply to Becz123]

l am glad to have helped, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is hard to keep positive but l know you can do it. Keep nagging the Doctors, my family did. Take care and please keep us all up to date. Love Sue x