Having triple-bypass cardiac surgery, as happened to me last Tuesday, is definitely not a picnic. I got back home yesterday after five days post-op at the Heart Centre of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. In another six weeks, God willing, I’ll be able to drive (and work) again. I’d only realised something was wrong on my recent working trip to the Philippines.
How can one begin to express one’s gratitude to all the staff involved at the famous JR? The wonderful surgical team led by Rana Sayeed, the doctors and anaesthetists, the inspiring physio team, and all the skilled and supportive nursing colleagues.
I couldn’t count how many nationalities, cultures, styles and backgrounds were involved, all working seamlessly and professionally with each other twenty-four hours a day. Truly the global village in action. Heart-warming. And a quite different kind of experience to my only previous with that hospital, working on innovation programmes with them.
The first three days were the hardest, and in truth I am by no means out of the wood yet. But I have felt better each day that has passed. And my native optimism seems to have made a return. The love and practical support of close family and friends, day by day, has made a massive difference.
I must say that, having invested in private health insurance over several decades, I’d hoped to take advantage of all that, to travel first. But it was not to be. The small print meant that I travelled NHS. And I can’t imagine it could have been better or timelier. Genuinely first-class.
To bring together all that innovation and organisation developed over the past half century or so. That’s the miracle.
With my heartfelt thanks.
Posts
