The Italian Job

This blog has been created to try and update everyone on Frank's progress while in hospital in Italy.

My aim is to update this blog every day with the latest update from the hospital. It's becoming increasing difficult (and costly) to keep everyone updated by phone so we felt this was the easiest way of keeping everyone up to speed.

Before I begin we'd all like to thank everyone for their love, support and kind words throughout this difficult time.

At 7:30am on Sunday 17th May (two days in to our holiday) Frank started complaining of chest pains. We took him to a local A&E clinic here in Sorrento (expecting to be told it was indigestion) to discover he'd suffered a heart attack. He was then rushed by ambulance to a specialist cardiac clinic 40 miles from Sorrento.

On Monday 18th May at around 2am he suffered a second heart attack. This was more severe than the first, the results of which meant his heart was only able to work at 20% of it's normal capacity.

The Italian medical team (who have been fantastic) have since stablilised him and discovered that he has three blocked arteries that supply blood to the left ventricle. Due to these blockages the medics wont certify him fit to travel until he's had surgery (aka a triple bypass).

After the second attack his heart was being helped by a machine. This machine was removed on Wednesday 20th May and since then he has been 'flying solo'. His heart is much better (the medics have been surprised at how well he's healed) although he's still not in a position to return to the UK before surgery.

He's in a ward called 'UTIC' which stands for Unita Terepia Intensiva Coronarica, or coronary intensive care in English. The hospital he's in is called "Casa Di Cura San Michele" which is in Maddaloni (just in case anyone wants to google it). It's been difficult as the medical team don't speak any English and we don't speak any Italian. Due to the severity of patients on the ward we only get to see him for an hour a day, although we make the best of the time we have together.

Thomsons (our tour operator) have been outstanding with all the help they've provided. We also have the British Embassy involved and they have been providing translations for us.

Every day we go to see him he looks better and stronger. Given the gravity of the situation and circumstances in which it occured he has been coping amazingly well.

The current plan is for him to undergo surgery on Monday 1st June. This will give the heart time to heal before the surgeons perform their magic.

Once again, thank you for all the support we've had. Elizabeth is back in the UK now playing the 'UK Liaison' role whereas myself and Mum have extended our stay in Italy indefinitely.

Christopher

PS Feel free to add comments or posts if you have any messages you'd like us to pass on to Frank.