Heart patient wowed by phenomenal care
Date of release: 9 February 2024
A grandfather has praised staff at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust for their ‘phenomenal care’ after undergoing open heart surgery.
Ron and his wife, Judy
Ron Goldby, from Ellesmere, had his mitral and tricuspid heart valves repaired at New Cross Hospital on Monday 5 February by Mr Nicolas Nikolaidis, Cardiothoracic Surgeon. He also had a maze procedure which is a type of cardiac surgery performed to treat atrial fibrillation (an irregular or abnormally fast heartbeat).
Just two days following his surgery Ron is back on his feet and on the road to recovery.
The 82-year-old, who has three sons and 13 grandchildren, said he was over the moon with the care he has received.
He said: “I am sore which is understandable, but I am flabbergasted by the fact I am walking so soon. I am so grateful to all the teams who have looked after me. The care has been phenomenal.”
Ron was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in 2017 which is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.
He said: “I was on blood thinners and other medication to reduce the risk of a stroke or clots and also, I was under yearly observations for my heart valves.
“In August last year I was told my values needed to be repaired as my heart was enlarged. I could have been waiting until April, but I was surprised when I had a call in January to say I was being operated on in the next 2-4 weeks.
“I was glad to hear this as my quality of life was reducing. I couldn’t walk as far and I was getting a lot of pins and needles in my feet due to poor circulation.
“I went on holiday to Cyprus in October, and I had to keep stopping to sit down and rest every time we walked anywhere which is unlike me.
“I am hoping now I will see an improvement. It is early days, but I am feeling OK. I am just lucky to have had the operation and now be on the road to recovery. Thank you again to all the teams who have looked after me. I am so grateful.”
ENDS
- For further information, please email amy.downward@nhs.net
