I first started having problems in my legs in 2010.I was sent to vascular specialist who stated there was nothing wrong and from that I was sent for heart tests and again I was told there was nothing wrong.The pain was increasing in my right calf and was then in my left calf.I explained I was scared of DVT as my father had had same symptoms I nattered and nattered to be seen .I went back to see vascular consultant in 2018 and his words were I saw you in 2010 there was nothing wrong then so they’ll be nothing wrong now,total waste of time!!! I was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease.I had a stent and balloon put in my left leg.There is nothing can be done with my right leg as any mistake could lead to amputation.
The biggest shock was when I went back to heart consultant in York he said (true words) I saw you in 2010 there was f**ck all wrong then so I don’t expect f**ck all wrong now.I said I’m getting out of breath feeling funny mowing the grass.The consultant replied you didn’t f**cking say that I fired back you didn’t f**king ask!!I went for angiogram in 2018 New Year’s Eve.I was told I had 5-7 yrs to live unless I had a triple heart bypass.After waiting through 2019 two consultants I was seeing couldn’t agree what treatment I needed and my condition was getting worse.I was very breathless struggling to walk 30 yds and at one point I called an ambulance but that took 4 hrs to arrive so my symptoms had settled down. I finally begged the consultants secretary to ask the consultant to refer me to another hospital,I had another angiogram and he was shocked at the poor function of the heart so referred me to Leeds General Infirmary,that was in March 2022 and I had a quadruple heart bypass in September 2022.
My operation was cancelled 5 times once with 5 minutes to go and a part broke in the theatre.It was also through Covid so I was having to isolate from working before each op.
I had the operation and I was promised 1:1 support from a heart nurse. That never happened I saw her once and was told I should ring her if I had a problem.I then had been promised rehab through BHF and again this never happened as they had stopped it due to Covid in the Selby area.
So I started slow up the road and back and progressed to joining two walking groups and now participate in walking up to 5 miles.I go to the gym 4-5 times a week and have lost a stone in weight so I feel good at the moment and I hope this inspires anyone who might be worrying about the op.The worst bit I had No support from family and though NHS my first op was at a private Nuffield hospital they used.There was 9 people came in the room to tell me how horrendous this operation was,I visualised it all and for it to be the cancelled I was devastated.Now thinking about it the operation wasn’t as bad as described.I did report the consultants in question but no no win no fee solicitor’s would take it on.
Post Bypass
Awaiting bypass
Pain following quadruple bypass
micro vascular angina good news!
Quadruple bypass follow up
