Patient stories
Read or watch stories from our patients.
Michael's story
Read about Michael's experience with Atrial Fibrallation and Catheter Ablation.
Carmen's story
“This doesn’t happen to people like me.” Carmen, aged 50
“I was fit and energetic, always on-the-go. I ate well and exercised. I never thought I would need The Alfred. But unknowingly I contracted a heart condition called idiopathic giant-cell myocarditis, which is caused by a virus. It took hold really quickly and it soon became clear I needed medical help. By the time I was rushed to The Alfred, my heart had swollen to three times its size. I literally had seconds to live. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I thought, ‘This just doesn’t happen to people like me’. The Alfred saved my life.”
Fraser's story
“I didn’t need a heart transplant but I was close.” Fraser, aged 27
“I thought I had a bout of tonsillitis, then I started having difficulty breathing. My condition got much worse. I was taken to The Alfred because it was the only place that could save my life. I had several cardiac arrests – my heart just stopped working. Thanks to The Alfred, I didn’t die. I’ve had to adjust my lifestyle and be a lot more cautious about my health. I can’t be as spontaneous as I used to be. But I feel lucky. I’m alive.”
Alan's story
“I went to my kayak race thinking, I don’t feel right for this.” Alan, aged 72
“I’m used to leading a very active life. It’s a good thing I’m retired – work would just get in the way of my pursuits. I’m a keen kayaker and the first I knew of my heart problem was in the run-up to a race. With hindsight, I see something had been up for a few days but I went to it thinking, ‘I really don’t feel right for this’. Luckily I finished the contest. The next day, I was at home and I came over all funny, fell off my chair and hit my head on the piano. I didn’t know it then but my brain had stopped sending signals to my heart. After arriving by ambulance at The Alfred, I was given emergency care and then later I was fitted with a pacemaker. Today, I’m thankful I went to hospital before it was too late. Thanks to The Alfred, I’ve been given an extension to my life.”
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