"2 Heart valve repair / replacements & a hole"

Admitted on 19 Sept 2016 operation 20 Sept 2016.Bad parts the wait and uncertainty of getting a bed. The tea and the coffee. The good bits EVERYTHING ELSE. The surgeons work must have been good as I was on my feet on day 3 and couldn't wait to get moving. The last time I was in hospital was when I was 7 am now 67 so you can imagine how many gtimes that I had to change my trousers before the operation. I warned the staff to expect the biggest whinger they had ever had as my one allergic reaction was PAIN! This could not have been so wrong. My Consultant managed to repair both valves and the hole so no foreign material. I cannot believe how little pain I had and how quickly I wanted to get walking let alone the staff. I was cared for in a most excellent fashion. The staff are under such pressure yet nothing was too much trouble. I would recommend that Hospital to anybody it was fantastic. Clearbrook Ward to start with Intensive Care &

High Dependency Unit was Torrington then back to the ward.Admitted Monday Discharged Sunday and I walked from the ward to the car park where we had my son waiting. Still waiting for my sign off papers 6 to 8 weeks from discharge but everything is going well. Must be careful not to do too much as it was still major surgery.

The food by the way was very hot and tasty. The trouble is that your appitite diminishes because of where you are and lack of exercise. When my wife and I planned for this operation we both thought that I would be an invalid for 3 weeks plus. Nothing like 17 days after op I prepared and cooked a meal she lifted all the pans and as we teach Ballroom dancing we have been able to sit and plan lessons. To me Derriford Hospital and the team who cared for me from Consultant to the cleaners are definately the A team.

Thank you one and all.

Regards Graham Harris