I had open-heart surgery at 31 – and it led me to this book
I had considered myself a healthy person until a bacterial infection forced me to have an emergency operation. The experience taught me to never take my health for granted.
My heart was thundering at 180 beats a minute as the nurses rushed me through the emergency department waiting room and helped me onto a bed. My skin was grey and clammy, and I was shaking uncontrollably.
A nurse inserted a cannula and administered paracetamol to help bring down my temperature, which had risen to 39.5 degrees. And as rivers of sweat poured down my body, a doctor started asking me about my symptoms and recent history: “Have you been overseas recently? Is this the first time you’ve had one of these episodes? How long have you been feeling sick?”
Euan BlackHealth and wellness reporterEuan Black is the health and wellness reporter at The Australian Financial Review. He was the work and careers reporter. Email Euan at euan.black@afr.com
