Stuart’s Story:
Heading towards his 70th birthday, Stuart Garvie – like many of us in November 2020 – was getting through Covid lockdowns as best he could. He was at home with his wife, Áine, on Friday, 6th November when he felt something ‘move’ in his chest… little did he know he’d just suffered an Aortic Dissection… and the clock was ticking!
“Although I’m a proud Scotsman, Dublin is my home and I’ve been living here happily for over 25 years. I’m based on the Navan Road and I didn’t realise how being so close to the Mater Hospital would eventually save my life.
“The 6th November started as a relatively normal day for me. I was fairly fit for 69 years of age, and with the Phoenix Park on my doorstep, I’d already gotten in my walk for the day. I was upstairs in my house when I had this sensation of something moving in my chest – I wasn’t in pain but it just didn’t feel right.
“Áine decided to call for an ambulance, but as it was during the pandemic there were long delays. Instead she popped me in the car and we headed to the Mater. We went straight to Emergency Department and I was placed in a wheelchair… and if I’m honest there’s not much I remember after that.
“The reason is that the dissection occurred fully while I was waiting to be seen in the Emergency Department. It was witnessed by a senior cardiac vascular doctor who was present and he immediately contacted Prof. Mark Redmond, who was on site. As soon as he reviewed the situation, I was straight into surgery.
“I realise that I was incredibly lucky. I had a ‘Type A’ Aortic Dissection which requires emergency treatment – about half of patients will die if they don’t get to an emergency department within an hour. I was already in surgery within two hours. The incredible Prof. Redmond and his team resected, grafted and stented the aortic valve, while also implanting a mechanical valve.
“The surgery took approximately 7-8 hours and I was then placed in an induced coma for eight days. When I woke up my wife was there and I remember asking ‘How bad’s the car?’ For some reason I was sure I’d been in a car accident. I had so many vivid dreams during the induced coma that seemed like real occurrences.
“Another five weeks of recovery followed, initially in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and then on to St. Gabriel’s Ward, all the while being looked after by an incredibly caring nursing team. After a number of required tests from the excellent physio team, I was on my way home.
“Unfortunately, that was when I had a bit of a setback. I was only five days out of the hospital when I developed sepsis. I got this horrific, unbelievable pain in my chest wound and couldn’t even stand upright. I was rushed by car into Emergency again.
“I ended up back with the team in HDU. They had to open me up again, put a sponge inside my wound and attach a pump to pump out the gungie bits. It was a slow process, but due to their dedication and care I made it through. I spent two months in hospital – including Christmas, New Year and my 70th birthday – before I was ready to head home again.
“Once the sepsis was sorted, I was able to start my Cardiac Rehab with Anne Gallagher and the wonderful team at the Mater’s Heart House. It’s not just the physical elements of your recovery that the rehab team helps you with, it’s the mental side too. It takes a bit of coming to terms with how close to death you were… and some of us can get overwhelmed by our survival. My recovery process also included four sessions with a rehab psychologist from the Mater, which I found excellent.
“Since being through this experience, I’ve become involved with Aortic Dissection Awareness, UK and Ireland as one of two Ireland reps. My UK friends and colleagues are so impressed with the level of medical care and support the Mater has provided. It’s fair to say that it confirms my belief that the Mater is one of the best hospitals in the UK and Ireland.
“I’m 73 now and surviving and thriving. I travel, I live, I embrace life. I still have my regular check-ups at the Mater and to me the staff are still as warm, positive and caring as ever. I’d also like to give a special shout out to the Warfarin Clinic – I need to deal with them regularly and the clinic is so well run and they are so very helpful.
“I’m delighted to share my patient journey to continue to build awareness around Aortic Dissection, and will work for as long as I can to try make the outcomes better for all who go through a similar experience.”
Stuart Garvie, Scotland and Dublin
Stuart recently spoke at the Aortic Dissection Awareness Day Ireland in the Guinness Enterprise Centre, Liberties, Dublin, as well as the UK Awareness Day in the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh.
You can support the work of our cardiac teams at the Mater Hospital by visiting our donate page and selecting – ‘Patient Stories’ – from the ‘I’m donating to…’ drop-down menu. Thank You 🧡
