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My
name is Saul, I’m 31,
I have Pulmonary Atresia with VSD,
ASD & Patent Ductus Arteriosus
My story
1st
operation
Waterston shunt 1976,
Melbourne
I can’t remember!
(but I know I had a procedure to
compensate for the Ductus closing up)
2nd operation
Open Heart 1978, Auckland
I can’t remember!
(but I know I got a new pulmonary
artery and valve, had the VSD and ASD closed and had
a 35 minute cardiac arrest in theatre, before the
heart lung bypass was connected – still have some
trouble writing…)
3rd operation
Open Heart 1996,
Melbourne
Flashes of remembering the chest
drain, fighting with the respirator, parents &
brothers sitting in intensive care with me …
Before the operation my Adelaide
cardiologist did a catheter to be sure it was time
for another bout of surgery. From Adelaide where we
were living, I went to the Children’s Hospital in
Melbourne for the operation itself.
And many catheters in between all
the above.
4th
operation
Open Heart 2007, Sydney
Hated having to sit up
and do physio in intensive care …
Parents & brothers on
duty again
I
saw my cardiologist for a regular check up but knew
things were getting worse – shortness of breath and
constant tiredness, atrial flutter and ectopic
beats, big time. I was in aggressive heart failure,
and had to quit my job. Hospital in Canberra for 3
weeks and getting worse every day, then flown up to
Westmead in Sydney, where the doctors were all
excellent – in fact, cool.
Then came the surgeon, also cool.
Four days after surgery I was walking
without being breathless
Home after one week, and now doing
well and getting back to doing the things that I
love.
Because of my condition and the
cardiac arrest during my first open heart surgery I
have found many of the things that I have done
through my life, more difficult.
But I have achieved lots, done many
things and lead a “normal” life… studied art for
three years after finishing Year 12, did a trade in
cabinet making, worked full time in furniture making
and the building industry.
Just like to say thank you to all
who have looked after me throughout my life – great
surgeons (Mr Darcy Sutherland, Sir Brian Barratt
Boyes, Dr Christian Brizard, Professor Richard
Chard) and cardiologists (Dr Brian Edis, Dr Philip
Adams, Dr Darryl McGill, Dr David Ross) and many
registrars, nurses and GPs.
To my very special family & friends
– thank you. |
