"Life-saver"

One afternoon I returned home from a game of golf, had a shower and in the evening had dinner. At about 9pm I suffered severe pain below my ribcage on the left side and assumed I had either pulled a muscle or was suffering from indigestion. I managed the pain for five days when eventually I realised that I needed to visit my GP. His diagnosis was 'a blood clot' and sent me immediately to the DRI for a blood test. I returned home but within a very short time was contacted by my GP who instructed me to return to the Clinical Decision Unit of the DRI. Whilst there I had an ECG, Heparin injection, and the next morning, a scan. I was then admitted to the Medical Assessment Unit where it was confirmed that I had a blood clot in the Pulmonary Artery, and Pneumonia. From there I was transferred to Ward 5 where I stayed for 8 days. During that time the care by the nurses, doctors and ancillary staff was outstanding. As a result, I have made a full recovery (presently taking Warfarin) and am enjoying life to the full.

I am 58 years old, had not suffered previously from any similar illness, am reasonably fit, not overweight, 6ft tall, 90kg, non-smoker, tee-total, and had not had any surgery or been on any long haul flights previous to this episode and have no family history relating to anything similar. I have a very high regard for my GP and shall be forever grateful to him and in particular, the nurses of Ward 5 of the DRI who not only cared for me physically but who were a great encouragement at a time when I was very ill and felt very low.

Thank you to you all. You've been life-savers.