Thank you for saving my life - The Redditch Standard

Thank you for saving my life

Redditch Editorial 4th Jul, 2014 Updated: 18th Oct, 2016   0

A MAN has paid tribute to staff at the Alexandra Hospital for saving his life after he was given just a 20 per cent chance of survival.

Chris Creasey said he wanted to speak out because had it not been for the NHS and the efforts of staff at the hospital he would not be alive today.

The 43-year-old’s life-threatening ordeal began on November 16 last year.

He told the Standard: “I had been feeling unwell for a couple of weeks. I was tired and would come home from work and collapse on top of the stairs but then I’d be okay.




“I had a cough but I’d had worse than that so I didn’t think anything of it.

“But on that day I just couldn’t carry on.”


His girlfriend called NHS 111 and a doctor was sent who then called for an ambulance having diagnosed a severe case of pneumonia.

The Aston Fields resident was rushed straight to the Alex where he was admitted but due to his continuing difficulties breathing it was agreed to put him into an induced coma. When he woke up 42 days later in the Intensive Care Unit, Mr Creasey had lost three stone in weight and was barely able to lift himself off his pillow. He was also informed during the period his kidneys had failed and some of his other vital organs had also been affected. He had been given just a 20 per cent chance of living.

But with the support of staff he left ITU on January 16 this year and was transferred to Avon Ward at the Worcestershire Royal to continue his recovery, including intensive physiotherapy to help him learn to walk again.

“It was really frustrating because in my mind I could walk but my body was just not capable of it.” he said.

Mr Creasey was sent home on February 22 and is now fighting fit. He said the experience had been life changing for both him and his girlfriend who was now switching careers from teaching to train as a nurse. Mr Creasey also hopes one day to join the board of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust as a non-executive director.

“The hospital experience has affected us both but in a good way. You always hear the bad things about the NHS but never the good.

“The NHS is an excellent vehicle and if this had happened in America I don’t think I would be able to afford the care. I don’t think I would be alive.” he said.

“To the staff I just want to say thank you for saving my life.”

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

YouTube

Check out the latest videos on our YouTube channel.