Why CHD awareness is so important...

Two weeks ago at this time I was on my way to the Intensive Care Unit, following my successful pulmonary valve replacement surgery.

A week ago at this time I was being driven through the London traffic on my way home to start my recovery.

Today I'm writing my first post-op blog about my hospital experience and the first few days of a long recovery.  I've had so many lovely messages from friends and family via text, email and Get Well Cards - lots of flowers, chocolates and luxurious gifts have been delivered on a daily basis and I'm so grateful for the all the support and good wishes.

Interestingly, no-one has thought to send me David Tennant yet, but surely it can only be a matter of time...

I consider myself to be very lucky. Despite the huge risks of open heart surgery, I was told that my case was straightforward and uncomplicated, which my short and uneventful hospital stay shows.

My new valve should give me many more years of health and exercise and, if it should need to be replaced again, it won't need to be via open heart surgery. The care I received in the hospital was second to none - I shook hands with all those who held my own heart in their hands, they are doctors and surgeons of the very highest calibre!

One thing is clear though from my hospital stay - the vital need for the promotion of Congenital Heart Defect awareness, both to expectant parents & parents of new-borns, as well as to adults who had open heart surgery for CHD in their childhood.

As I said, I was lucky - I've had a heart check-up every other year since I was a child and so the need for this recent surgery was first suggested about 4 years ago. There are some adults with CHD who have "slipped through the net", as it were, since their childhood surgery, and will only know that they need more surgery when they become an emergency case, rather than taking the gentler route to elective surgery, with more chance to get their head around things first.

The other horror stories I heard in the hospital were from those whose CHD remained undiagnosed until early adulthood. With approximately 1 in 100 babies being born with a CHD, so much more awareness is needed to ensure that early and accurate diagnosis is made.

So, that's my first recovery up-date. My hospital diary will follow in future posts.

The waiting is almost over!

I'm all packed and ready to go!

In just under an hour I'll be setting off for London. I'm due to arrive at the hospital by 12 noon, for last minute checks and tests, ready for my surgery tomorrow, Friday 8th June.

I was so relieved when I called the ward yesterday and was told that yes, there is a bed for you! My thoughts are so different even to a year ago, when I would never have imagined preparing to go into hospital for such an operation with such calmness.

Everyone has been so supportive and helpful - even the girl who cut my hair yesterday suggested the salon brand of dry shampoo, which apparently her colleagues (who have hair extensions for example) use to avoid washing their hair for up to 2 weeks!

So here we go! I hope I'll be able to update on how things have gone before too long.