HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART ( VALVE ) PART 7 

THE NET IS CLOSING

Since I was diagnosed with a  leaking aorta heart valve I took to writing a blog to help my family and friends  understand just what my mind is going through. And to help myself to come to terms with it. 

This is my continuing story of my heart valve disease. The Net Is Closing.

On July 21st 2018 we had just returned home from a holiday in Cardigan West Wales and as I opened the post there was a letter from Glenfield Hospital asking me to attend a meeting with my appointed surgeon Mr C Efthymiou. Although since my consultant at Burton Hospital Dr Martos told me on 13th October 2015  I would need  heart valve replacement surgery on my aorta valve, seeing the letter confirming an appointment with the surgeon suddenly hit home and having an operation became very real.

On the 25th July I drove to Glenfield with my wife Theresa for my appointment and I have to say that despite all my anxieties and fear about having open heart surgery I was surprisingly calm.

After checking in at reception I was sent for an X Ray an ECG and a blood test. Following this we saw Mr Efthymiou. In the meeting Mr Efthymiou looked at the X Ray of my heart and I asked him if my heart was blue ( Leicester City still on my mind ) he just said that my heart was very large. I was then taken into another room where Mr Efthymiou examined me.Following the examination we went back into his office to join my wife Theresa.

Mr Efthymiou then said to me that the decision to have an operation was entirely up to me and I could have the operation or walk away. I began to think that my condition couldn't be as bad as we thought, but then he said that if you don't have the operation I would probably be dead in less than three years. I said that in that case I have no choice, He explained that he has to offer me that choice and the decision is mine. Obviously I told him Yes I wanted the operation, the thought of living somehow seemed better than the option of dying.

He went on to discuss the operation and what it entailed and I asked him if I would be able to play walking football again, I also asked about the recovery period following the operation, the reason being that I had a conversation with a rehabilitation nurse at Burton Hospital and I asked how long it would be before I could go and watch my football team Leicester City. The nurse said that I would be OK after six weeks, but Mr Efthymiou said I wouldn't advise that so soon after surgery. I asked why not when Rehab at Burton told me I would be OK. He said it was my choice but he wouldn't advise it as I would be having major heart surgery. My wife Theresa then joined in by saying to me " There are more important things in life than football " but I said "There isn't", which didn't go down very well. I know she has been worrying about me ever since I was diagnosed with my condition.

Mr Efthymiou went on to tell me the statistics of how many people don't survive the operation etc   I then asked what the waiting time would be before I had the operation. Mr Efthymiou said when do you want it done, tomorrow, next week , I will be in touch.  On the 27th July I received a letter from Glenfield Hospital asking me to attend a pre - operation appointment on Monday 30th July and I would be admitted to Hospital on Thursday 2nd August  and my operation would be performed on Friday 3rd August.

On Monday 30th July I was up early to get ready for my Hospital appointment, my daughter's fiance Dave was giving me a lift. On arriving at Hospital and following the registration with the receptionist I was sent for another ECG and other tests and then it was a waiting game before I saw a consultant. I was surprised how calm I was and it was Dave that seemed on edge.I concluded that he didn't like being in Hospitals. When it was time to see the consultant I asked Dave if he wanted to come in with me and after all the questions and answers I had signed the consent form to authorise that I would be putting my life in their hands ( A bit dramatic but I have had this moment on my mind since October 2015 ) It was then a meeting with a senior nurse who gave me all the information I needed to be admitted to Hospital and then it was home.    The net is closing.    

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART VALVE ( THE SAGA CONTINUES ) PART 6

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART (VALVE ) PART 6 

THE SAGA CONTINUES

It has been well over a year since my last blog and the continuing saga of my diseased heart valve.

 Since I was diagnosed with a leaking aorta heart valve I took to writing a blog to help my family and friends  understand just what my mind is going through. And to help myself to come to terms with it.

It has been a long and stressful road so far. To be precise it was October 13th 2015 when I had an angiogram and was diagnosed with a narrowing aortic heart valve, or to use the correct phrase aortic stenosis, and was told by my consultant that I would need heart valve replacement surgery within six months. Without going back to the beginning of all this ( You can catch up on my previous blogs )

At the end of my last blog, many months ago I was waiting for my next appointment with Dr Martos at Burton Hospital on May 2nd 2017 and true to form Dr Martos said that I am doing well and he will see me again in six months. This is how it has been since October 13th 2015 and everyday the thought of surgery and the fact that I could die has been constantly on my mind. When I play football when I am watching Leicester City and when I am at the theatre , every minute of the day it is constantly on my mind.

At my appointment on the 2nd May once again Dr  Martos asked how i was getting on and he still couldn't believe that I was playing walking football four times a week. He said he was pleased how i was getting on and he would continue to monitor me. I did ask the question " is there any chance of me dropping down dead !!!!"   

My next appointment was on September 12th 2017 and once again I would be continued to be monitored. I was now in the state of mind that I would try and carry on enjoying the things i love doing and try and put the thought of my illness at the back of my mind. There were some days when my breathing wasn't so bad and i suppose i was kidding myself that perhaps my condition wasn't as bad as everyone thinks! or is that just wishful thinking.

On the 23 October I was back at Burton Hospital for the customary Echo-cardiogram.  I can never understand why they give me this following an appointment and not before the appointment!! I asked the nurse how does my heart valve look but she won't disclose any information to me.

My next appointment is on March 6th 2018. 2 years and five months since Dr Martos told me that he was going to recommend that my heart valve is replaced within six months. This time Dr Martos said that he is still pleased with my results and how I am doing and he will see me again in eight months. I can't quiet believe this but my mind is now programmed to go with the flow and just carry on. On April 10th I have my customary Echo - cardiogram .

On the 28th April I received a letter from the Hospital asking me to attend a pre op  appointment at  Burton Hospital on Friday 4th May. My mind was now confused not knowing what had changed so quickly since my last appointment with Dr Martos.

I enquired with the Hospital on the 7th May about the letter and I found out that I was to have another angiogram. Obviously something had changed as I also received another letter saying I was now being transferred to a surgeon at Glenfield Hospital because my aortic valve had become severely  calcified.

On 4th May I went along to Burton Hospital for my appointment. The consultant performing the procedure couldn't find a suitable artery in my wrists and so he said he would have to go through my groin. I wasn't happy about that as it meant I wouldn't be able to play football for two weeks. While he was performing the procedure I asked him how my valve was looking and he said that they were checking my arteries to see if they were in good condition, he said that they were clear which is good news for the surgeon if they were going to operate. Now reality hit home because I knew it was almost time and the net was closing in on me at last.

I could now tell that my heart valve had got worse because I was struggling to play walking football my breathing was getting laboured and I could feel it in my chest!.

On July 14th we went on holiday to Cardigan the place we love . I was as relaxed as much as I was going to be and we had a nice few days away, When we arrived home on the 21st July there was a letter from Glenfield Hospital asking me to attend an appointment with my appointed surgeon Mr C Efthymiou on Wednesday 25th July 2018. Now after all this time and the ongoing saga, it was suddenly getting very real, surgery which I was dreading now seemed imminent.  

To be continued           

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART (VALVE) ONE YEAR ON

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART  (VALVE) Part 5

ONE YEAR ON

It has been one year since my last blog and the important thing is. I am still here. Still waiting for news of an operation and still trying to keep my mind in focus knowing that eventually an operation is going to happen!.

Since I was diagnosed with a leaking aorta heart valve I took to writing a blog to help my family and friends  understand just what my mind is going through. And to help myself to come to terms with it. 

Since my last blog in April 2016 I have passed another birthday and have now reached the grand age of 66. My football team Leicester City won the premier league title. Yeah !!!!! and I am still playing walking football twice a week .

Some days I find it difficult not to think about my heart condition because it is always in the back of your mind, and there always seems to be something to remind you. I was driving to a match recently and had Radio Leicester on my car radio, and out of the blue they played an interview from a Leicester Hospital talking about heart valve disease. And how if its not detected some people could just drop down dead!!!!!. Not what i wanted to hear as I was on my way to the match.

Apart from my heart valve problem I also suffer with atrial fibrillation. A condition that causes your heart to beat out of synchronisation.I have to take Bisoprolol and warfarin for this complaint, and on October 4th 2016 I had to attend Burton Hospital for a cardioversion procedure. Basically for an abnormal heart rate they try and get your heart beating to a normal rythm by using electricity, giving your heart a shock!

On the day of the procedure I checked into Burton Hospital for what should be a few hours but unfortunately for me things didn't quite go to plan. I came round from the procedure to find the operating theatre full of paramedics, doctors and nurses! Apparently the procedure had worked but my heart stopped beating for four minutes and the team had a tough time resuscitating me. Thankfully they did and I was a very lucky man that day. I was taken to intensive care and kept in hospital overnight and had several tests performed on me. I was eventually allowed home late the following day but I felt tired and weak and was ordered to take it easy for a few days, and definitely no walking football.

During a check up at my local surgery a few days later I was informed that my Atrial Fibrilitaion had  returned and the cardioversion hadn't worked. Oh well!!

When I had time to reflect on what had happened I realised just how lucky I had been and how I could have easily died that day, although technically I did for a few minutes. It is a sobering thought and puts life into perspective.  And I never saw any light or tunnel or anything else before you ask. Just nothingness. I wouldn't have known a thing about it.  

Before I was allowed home from hospital, my consultant Dr Martos, bless him, said to me " we have to talk about your heart valve, it is getting worse! " I thought he will be having me booked in soon for an operation. But I had an appointment in the post to see him on May 2nd 2017 seven months away.

Well that seven months is now only three weeks and my mind is working overtime again wondering if an operation is forthcoming. I'll have to cross that bridge when I get to it and just carry on doing what I am doing. Playing walking football, watching Leicester City and basically just get on with my life.    To be continued -------

      

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART ( VALVE ) PART 4

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART (VALVE) PART 4

MORE TWISTS AND TURNS

Since learning that I had a heart disease problem and I was diagnosed with a leaking heart valve, my mind has been in turmoil. And so I thought I would write a blog so my family and friends could hopefully understand just what I was going through.

Since my angiogram last October and Dr Martos gave me the news that I would need my aortic heart valve replaced, my mind has been all over the place.

I have spent time on the internet finding out just what the operation entails, and I have been trawling through different web pages reading about other people that have had the same operation. I can tell you it is scary stuff! Do you know that they actually break your rib cage to get to your heart! And take your heart out to perform the operation! And keep you alive with a machine until the heart is replaced! Scary stuff indeed. But the scariest thing for me is actually trying to come to terms with missing the last few weeks of the football season !!!!!

Ever since Dr Martos told me I would need the operation and he was going to recommend six months when he meets with the surgeons. I have been worrying myself sick knowing I will miss the last few games of the football season,especially as my team Leicester City have made a promising start to the season, but it is something I will have to come to terms with. I am also finding it hard to sleep. I keep waking up with the thought of my condition and the reality and the serious nature of my aortic valve disease, after all it is a life threatening condition.

I continue to play walking football and occasionally I struggle to get my breath, especially now the days are getting colder, but apart from that I feel OK. I have to keep telling myself to get on with my life, but always the impending operation is in the back of my mind! I Have also joined another walking football group in Swadlincote. This one is played indoors and it is fast, but I cope OK and will carry on playing twice a week as long as I can. Despite my heart valve problem life is good.

Christmas and the New Year have come and gone and we are now entering 2016 and the thought is my operation is getting closer! I still haven’t heard anything from the hospital. They said that I would probably get called to have a check up to make sure that I am doing OK. No news is good news I suppose. Theresa wants me to chase them up, but I'm thinking the longer it takes then the more chance I have of seeing the end of the season, especially now Leicester are top of the league and are looking good.

I am carrying on with my life and then February arrives and I have a letter from Burton Hospital informing me to attend a pre operation appointment on 15^th February. My mind goes into overdrive until I think something isn’t right. They wouldn’t be doing my operation at Burton! I realise then that the pre operation is because I am to be fitted with a heart loop monitor! It doesn’t make sense to me .

On the 15^th February I attend Burton Hospital and the nurse explains about the heart loop recording device. I said that It didn’t make sense to me especially as I am waiting to have a heart valve replacement operation! After the pre operation procedure the nurse says she will contact Dr Martos and inform him of my concerns and get him to contact me.

I had just returned home and was telling Theresa about my pre operation as the telephone rang. It was Dr Martos. He explained that I was to be fitted with the heart loop recording device because of the dizzy spells and black outs I have been having. I explained that I haven’t blacked out since last June and I haven't had a dizzy spell for months. He also couldn't believe that I was playing walking football twice a week! He also asked if I can walk 20 meters without getting out of breath! Dr Martos then explained that I wouldn't be having an operation, he said that the surgeons said my heart valve was a moderate condition and not bad enough to operate on and I was to be monitored every six months to make sure I was OK. He also explained that I could go 10 to 15 years and not need an operation but I could also deteriorate quickly. He also said from what you have told me, forget about the heart loop recording device and forget about the operation. Get on with your life and I will see you at the end of May for your ECG. To say I was overjoyed is an understatement and I will now get to see out the football season and hopefully my team Leicester win the premier league title. Happy days.

Just a week later I was playing Walking Football at Swadlincote and I struggled to get my breath. That night as I lay in bed my chest was tight and my heart was pounding fast. The next morning I was in the doctors surgery at Measham and the nurse practitioner sent me for an ECG. After the ECG I went straight back to see her with the results and she told me to wait in the waiting room as I was to see a doctor right away! I saw doctor Charles and he arranged for me to wear a 24 hour recording device to monitor my heart. I went back to see him after the device was removed to get the results. Dr Charles explained what had happened to my heart and said I have a condition called Atrial Fibrillation and I will probably have to take Warfarin or an equivalent drug for the rest of my life and I was to see him again the following day to decide which drug is best for me. After receiving good news last week my mind is now in turmoil once again!

On the Friday morning I went back to see Dr Charles and he explained that I wouldn’t be prescribed any drugs after all. He said he had studied my case carefully and using a scoring process I came out as a low risk for having a stroke and so I would just carry on as normal, if I feel out of breath I just have to relax or pace myself but if I feel ill or have any concerns I have to go straight to the surgery. Once again Happy days !!!!

My Birthday on March 21^st has passed and I am now an official OAP. My team Leicester City are sitting at the top of the Premier League. I am still playing walking football twice a week and I am looking forward to the summer. At the moment life is good. Happy Days    

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART VALVE ( PART 3 ) THE REALISATION

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART ( VALVE ) PART 3

THE REALISATION

Since I found out that I had a heart condition my mind has been in overdrive and I have to admit that I have found it difficult to cope with the news. I have read up on my condition and although everyone keeps telling me I will be fine, I cant help but feel that my life is going to change forever.

I decided to write this blog to help myself come to terms with my condition. And for friends and family to hopefully understand my thoughts as I try and come to terms with it.

On 1^st September I was back at Burton hospital for my check up appointment with Dr Martinez, and my good lady Theresa insisted on going in with me to see him! I don’t think that she trusted me to tell Dr Martinez about me passing out last June.

After the consultation Dr Martinez informed me that he was going to arrange for me to have an angiogram to see just how bad the situation was with my heart valve. He explained what the procedure entailed and now I just had to wait until an appointment came through.

Life carried on as normal and we went away for a week to West Wales and I was feeling great. I had experienced no bad symptoms for weeks now and I had convinced myself that everything was ok and the angiogram would show that. On returning home from holiday there was an appointment waiting for me to attend the cardiology department at Burton hospital on 16^th September. This was for some breathing tests! I had to perform several different ways of breathing into a machine that recorded how good my breathing was. The person doing the tests said that my breathing was good. And so I thought. I know everything' s fine and these tests are going to prove it.

I carried on as normal, playing walking football ( walking Ha Ha! ) and going to watch my beloved Leicester City and I tried to put things regarding hospitals and heart problems to the back of my mind. But I had to attend Burton hospital again on Wednesday 30^th September, this time for a pre-op consultation. At the prep-op I chatted to the two nurses and I had to choose a date that was convenient for the angiogram! Tuesday 13^th October was the day chosen, simply because I had to have 48 hours of not moving my right arm or getting excited after the procedure. I was traveling to Southampton to watch Leicester on the Saturday,so Tuesday 13^th it was

.

THE CARDIAC CATHETERISATION

On Monday 12^th October I was getting myself psyched up for tomorrow's angiogram and was just settling down to have dinner, which I was intending to enjoy as I couldn’t have anything to eat after midnight!. When I received a telephone call from the hospital. Basically they were telling me that there were no beds available for me at the moment and so they would call me in the morning if a bed became available! Brilliant, as per usual nothing goes straight forward for the fox !!!

I did receive the phone call after 08.00 a.m. On the Tuesday morning saying there was a bed free and so it was a quick bath and off we set to the hospital. Theresa dropped me off at the catheter laboratory and I was then taken to a ward with three beds, two were already occupied! I had to strip off and put on the flattering gown that fastens at the back! I think! And was then left in the bed with daytime TV on the wall mounted television that was directly hanging in front of my bed. I did ask the nurse if sky sports was available but unfortunately it was Homes under the hammer and the Repo men!!

The guy in the bed on my left had come in for a pacemaker to be fitted and the guy on my right was an old guy in his eighties who had suffered a heart attack some years ago and had a funny turn recently and so he also was having an angiogram.

When it was time for me to go to the theatre I wasn't sure what to expect but to cut a long story short I had a catheter inserted into my artery on my right wrist and it was moved up through the artery to the opening of the coronary arteries to my heart and then a dye was injected into the catheter and x rays were taken of my heart. The procedure was uncomfortable but not to bad, the worst part was removing the catheter. I was then taken back to the ward on my bed, and the consultant Dr Martinez passed me in the corridor and said the angiogram was good. I knew everything was going to be ok!!!!

I was back on the ward and Dr Martinez came walking in with a nurse in tow and he was carrying a model of a heart. He proceeded to tell me that I needed an operation to replace my aortic heart valve! I said “ you said the angiogram was good “ “It was” he replied but you need this operation and I am going to recommend 6 months when I have a meeting with colleagues on Friday morning.

I was trying to process this information,and 6 months that will be April, I asked couldn’t it wait until the football season is over and he just looked at me!! The nurse explained that I have tickets for the football. Dr Martinez just said “ you know you have to have this done” I was still trying to take it in and I asked would I still be able to play walking football. He said “ Of course, you will be flying” In that case I will be the fastest 65 year old on the pitch !!!! Anyway I can now look forward to a week in hospital and having my heart taken out and a new mechanical valve replacing the one that is giving up on me !!!!!!!

In my life I have survived pneumonia, whooping cough,T.B. A failed marriage and some car thieves trying to run me down when I worked at the Belfry hotel. And so am I going to let my broken heart beat me NO --- I just hope that I get to see the end of the football season !!!!!!!!!!

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART (VALVE) PART 2

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART( VALVE ) PART 2

Since I was informed that I had a heart condition by my doctor in October 2014 I decided to write a blog to help myself come to terms with the condition and to understand what effects it will have on my life. Also family and friends will hopefully understand how it is affecting me and my thoughts.

I actually stopped working for Tamworth Borough Council on November 27 the day my official notice period was due to start! A bit naughty but in my 17 years working for the council I had a good attendance record, but because I was now having to attend the occasional hospital or doctors appointment they were being awkward and so this was my way of getting a little something back!

My head was all over the place now that I realised my working life was virtually over and also trying to come to terms with my suspected heart problem was putting a lot of strain on me, and I have to admit it was causing me a lot of stress. I was spending so much time at Measham medical unit that I was on first name terms with the staff and was getting invites to staff functions! Only joking!!

It is hard to explain just what was going around in my head but slowly I began to see things a little clearer, also two very good friends of mine and my wife Theresa,bless her,helped me through what was a very difficult period for me. I will always be indebted to Wayne and especially Lee. Thank you my friends.

Throughout December and January I was attending hospital and doctors appointments and also trying to establish some pattern to my life now that I wasn't working. The dizzy spells kept coming and the doctor was telling me that I was probably suffering with vertigo, and all of the stress I had been under hadn't helped.

Wednesday 18^th February was the official day that I finished work and my employment was terminated. I have to admit that in some ways it was a relief. But in another it was a little scary knowing that after years of working it was probably now over.

I was settling down more and was enjoying spending time with Theresa and our two dogs Lincoln and Richmond. They thought it was great that I was spending more time taking them for walks. It was also a bonus that I wouldn’t have to miss any more football because of shift work! For those that know me I am a dedicated follower ( not of fashion ) but of Leicester City Football Club.

The days and weeks were passing bye and although I was still getting the occasional dizzy spell I was learning to accept them! They couldn't be that serious as they only lasted seconds, and I hadn't seen the doctor since the first week in March. And then on April 7^th I had an appointment at Burton hospital for an ultrasound scan. Following the appointment I saw the consultant and he explained to me about the condition of my heart. He told me that there were three stages to the condition, a moderate stage, a moderate to severe stage and a severe stage. He said that my condition was bordering on the moderate to severe stage and that they were happy to monitor my condition and he would see me again in a few months.

I left the hospital and I still wasn't that worried. It can't be a serious problem as they are only going to monitor me and see me in a few months! Carry on as normal Alan

I was now walking 10 or 12 miles every week as it is now officially walking season for me,so despite the dizzy spells, I was getting on with my life. Football, cinema, walking, the occasional meal out at lunch time, life was good and I was sorting myself out. And then on Thursday 11^th June I went to the toilet during the early hours of the morning and collapsed! I don't remember what happened, I just remember Theresa trying to bring me around. After a few minutes I got back into bed. Theresa said she heard a bang and found me on the floor! I suppose I should have let Theresa phone for an ambulance but I was OK now and I would see the doctor in the morning. Stubborn until the end!

I saw doctor Charles on the afternoon and he was now convinced that my dizzy spells were connected to my heart problem and not vertigo. You don't say! More blood tests carried out, I was now in serious danger of springing a leak with all the holes in my arm.

It was now June and I wasn’t due to see the consultant until September. But because my blood test results had shown all clear I was to wait until I saw the consultant and if I had any more bad dizzy spells or if I was to collapse again! then I was to see the doctor right away!

Life settled down again and luckily I experienced no dizzy spells and no passing out experiences! In July we went on our annual excursion to West Wales and I felt OK and as the weeks sauntered along I slowly went back into the mode where I was thinking there is nothing seriously wrong with me. Everything was going to be fine and so I carried on with my life. Everything was fine!

At the end of July I joined a walking football group at Whitwick Leisure Centre. At the age of 64 it was great to be able to play football again. Although the term walking was misleading! It was no leisurely stroll but it was competitive with some decent players. It was good to play football again.

All was going well until during the second half, and I had a slight dizzy spell! Obviously the exertion and exercise I was doing was something I hadn't put my body through for a long time and it was telling me to slow down. After a short rest I carried on and thoroughly enjoyed this new venture, walking football!.

Throughout August I carried on with life. Walking, playing football, the football season had started and so I was able to follow Leicester again and add it to my busy social calendar. Life was indeed good. But the appointment with Dr Martos Martinez was approaching !!! But I wasn’t worried. I was feeling fine and everything was going to be OK !!!!!!!!!!!  

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART VALVE ( PART 1 )

HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART ( VALVE ) Part 1

How can you mend a broken heart valve,there has been nothing else on my mind for the past few weeks. Ever since I had an angiogram on October 13 2015 my thoughts have been filled with nothing else.

Me with a heart problem, you have to be joking! I've always kept myself fit, I played football until I was 39 I played badminton went hiking and even now in my 60's I still walk 12 miles, no problem. I'm probably fitter than most people my age, so what are they telling me. This is my story and I'm telling it so people I am close to can perhaps understand what my mind is going through and anyone else who takes the time to read it will hopefully be aware that you don't have to show serious symptoms to suffer with heart disease

My problem started in October 2014 I had just collapsed at home after getting a piece of chicken stuck in my throat at dinner. I couldn't dislodge it and I passed out. Theresa my wife told me to see the doctor and get checked out because this wasn't the first time it had happened. I had a problem eating white meat, and obviously she was worried, bless her!

At work I was also undergoing a stressful situation with redundancies in the pipeline in our department, and I was deciding whether to retire a year early or stay on. I had been experiencing bouts of dizzy spells as well recently which was also playing on my mind, and so I made an appointment to see a doctor at the medical unit in Measham.

At the appointment the doctor, who was a locum, gave me a good examination and said that she was going to get me checked out completely, blood tests, an endoscopy, and an ECG were all on the menu. She asked me if I was aware that I had a heart murmur and I said “I have had one as long as I can remember “ so I wasn't really worried. The tests were just a precaution and I will be OK. After all I am reasonably fit and haven’t been ill for some time, years in fact! So I have nothing to worry about.

The slight dizzy spells kept coming and I would have to be still until they passed, just a few seconds. Although one day I was out walking Lincoln and Richmond ( our two dachshunds ) and I had stopped to talk to someone in the village. Before I had realised what had happened I felt dizzy and I dropped to the ground, just a few seconds later I was getting back up wondering just what was happening to me!

The endoscopy wasn't a pleasant experience, a long tube being inserted down my throat into my stomach isn't something I would recommend but the results showed that I had a minor hiatus hernia, nothing to worry about! I was back at The Queens Hospital at Burton Upon Trent a few days later for an ECG and again I wasn't worried as I have been through this before a few years ago, just a precaution!

I carried on going to work coping with all the stress that was going on, until one evening I received a telephone call from the doctor. She asked me why I hadn't been to the surgery to get the results of my ECG. I said “I wasn't really worried about them”, and then she said “ well I have referred you to a heart consultant, you have a narrowing heart valve.”

I still wasn't that worried, although I now realised that I had a problem. But what I read on the internet and also what friends were telling me I still wasn't that concerned. They can cure that by inserting a stent! Whatever that entails. Day surgery is all you will need. Good, no problem then!

My mind was trying to cope with the dilemma I was in, do I take the chance and finish work or do I carry on until I'm 65. I had no desire to carry on after I was 65 so what do I do!

 So before my 64th birthday I decided to finish work , after 17 years working for Tamworth Borough Council I had decided to throw the towel in. I wasn't getting a big payout, just enough to see me through until I officially retire in March 2016 but because of the situation there and my own situation with my heart I decided to retire early! Right or wrong decision, only time will tell.