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 My
life-saving and truly courageous partner performed CPR on me until the
ambulance arrived, whereupon I was shocked several times with the on-board
defibrillator by paramedics. If it wasn’t for her immediate actions and
quick thinking, followed by the quick ambulance response, things would have
been very different for me.
I
was immediately sent to the ICU of Royal United Hospital in Bath for 3 days
being closely monitored. My body temperature was refrigerated to
preserve my brain function. After this I was then transferred to the
cardiac ward and had no idea how or why I was there.
My fiancée, her
family and my own family experienced such extreme uncertainty particularly
in those early days, I really can’t imagine the anxiety, worry and stress
that was felt.
I
was totally unaware and have no memory of anything until at least a week
later in hospital - convincing myself I’d been involved in a car accident
and concerned at why my chest ached. I was told what happened to me,
but it was still very hard to digest in my mind as I had no memory of
anything that happened aside from a few minutes before the end of my run.
At the time my short-term memory was very poor as I was unable to remember
basic things.
Doctors explained to me their thoughts and offered possible answers on what
had happened. Initially it was thought I’d caught a virus and was overly
exhausted. After 7 weeks being in hospital, examined and scanned
several times, I was told I’d have to have an ICD implanted and take daily
beta-blockers. At the time I was an electrician, one of the very few jobs
not recommended by cardiologists, forcing me to give up and make a new start
in my career.
In 2009
I experienced 2 inappropriate shocks from my defibrillator in February,
setting me back physically and mentally. Consequently, I was required to
have my ICD lead repositioned involving invasive surgery on my 27th
birthday.
Today I am still under doctor’s investigation at the Heart Hospital in
London, as I have no firm diagnosis for a cardiac illness.
Initially, it was
suspected that I had ARVC (hospital discharge-diagnosis). However,
following Echos, ECGs, blood tests and my defibrillator downloads, HCM and
DCM were investigated - but (common-gene) genetic testing has proved
cardiomyopathy is not an accurate diagnosis.
My
immediate family have all been screened and none are showing irregular or
concerning signs like me, including my identical twin brother.
In October
2009 I completed the Cardiff Half Marathon, which was a real achievement for
me both physically and mentally. Since then I have gone on to complete
several 10-mile races and fully intend completing a marathon in the near
future. I enjoy keeping fit and will continue to do so, despite my
medical history.
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