Peter came into hospital to have major cardiac surgery to fix two heart valves. Unfortunately after the long surgery the right side of Peter’s heart started to fail. In the middle of the night, in an induced coma in the ICU, he was in a fight for his life. His vital organs were starting to shut down despite many therapies to support his heart, lungs and other organs. He received a life saving intervention called ECMO (extracorporeal membrane support) – a form of heart bypass inserted in the ICU. This allowed his heart time to recover and his organs enough oxygen and nutrients to turn the corner. He was on ECMO for just over 2 days and spent many more days recovering in the ICU. We caught up with him on the ward where he continues to regain his strength…and sense of humour! He gave us great insight into his journey. He mentioned it felt like an “out of body experience” and that he was “talking to his aunties and uncles”. He wanted to emphasize “how great the staff are”. We wish Peter all the best in the next part of his recovery at home.

At over 5 weeks into his ICU stay post major cardiac surgery, it’s safe to say that the road hasn’t been easy for Karl. Infections, pancreatitis, renal failure requiring dialysis, being fed intravenously and a slow respiratory wean via a tracheostomy are all hurdles that Karl has taken in his stride. We captured this great moment when Karl showed us he still has a sense of humour and spunk after all that he has gone through. The ICU Angels (the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, allied health and other support staff of ICU) have been by his side and he wanted to express his gratitude to the team!

Ramzi spent approximately 3 weeks in ICU with severe COVID-19 infection after 10 days of illness at home. He required a long duration on a mechanical ventilator, a brief run of proning (being nursed on the front instead of the back for lung aeration) and a tracheostomy among many other therapies. We captured this photo, complete with cheeky grin, on the first day he walked. That day was followed by 2 laps of the ICU (‘victory laps’) and many smiles, laughs and tears. He has now had his tracheostomy successfully removed, is officially cleared from COVID-19 and is awaiting a bed on the ward to continue rehabilitation. He had the following words to say: “There aren’t enough words to explain what you doctors and nurses have done to help me. To you people who think COVID 19 is a joke – take it very seriously! You doctors and nurses have worked so hard to get me back on my feet. I’m lost for words. Words can’t describe how grateful I am. It takes a team of players, and this player wanted to play! And I can’t wait for a T-Bone steak and a beer!”

Betty spent over a month in St Vincent’s Melbourne ICU for critical illness secondary to COVID-19. She had two runs on a mechanical ventilator and was proned (nursed on her front rather than back whilst in a medically induced coma) for long periods of time to improve her lung function. After this, she required a tracheostomy to allow her to be slowly liberated from the ventilator. She eventually had her tracheostomy removed, was officially cleared from COVID-19 and walked out of the ICU on her own two feet to a standing ovation! She spent another week getting stronger on the ward with the help of doctors, nurses and allied health staff before going home. Betty’s fighting spirit and positivity has been an inspiration to all of the ICU staff. She has expressed her heartfelt thanks to all of those involved in her care.

“From the moment we arrived in the ambulance with Dennis, I felt very glad we were here. I was really thrilled when I knew we were being transferred to St Vincent’s. So from the moment we came through the doors…I trusted that everything that could be done would be done for Den.” – Christine (wife) “There is a way of going about things at St Vincent’s…which is very generous” “To all the people who looked after me at St Vincent’s…I would just like to express my very deep gratitude for what you’ve done for me” – Dennis Watch Dennis’ video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7y8EzNrHX8&t=

“My name is Amanda Johnson, I am now 30 years old, back in 2016-2017 I ended up in ICU for about 4-5 weeks when I was told by my local GP I had respiratory failure. I was in and out of sleep for days. I ended up having to get a trachey and I stayed in it for a further 5-6 weeks. I was transferred between 3 hospitals ( started off in Wang then St V’s then back to Wang ) my nurse in ICU was Joan Logan. She took amazing care of me. She even looked after my family. We shared a special bond. I really appreciate what everyone did for me in hospital. I wouldn’t be here if I ignored the advice. Thanks St V’s.”

“We DO remember- not everything, obviously, but quite a few snippets of hazy lucidity tend to stay with you- almost like waking recall of a dream, but one that stays with you much longer.” “…mostly I choose to remember the nurses who held my hand or brushed my hair off my forehead, that glorious woman from HDU (and how surprisingly deliciously decadent a small spoonful crushed ice can be)”. “Ultimately, you saved my life (a few times, I’ve been told) and for that I’m happy to trade a little of my dignity (and the upper octaves of my voice).” “…mostly I choose to remember the nurses who held my hand or brushed my hair off my forehead, that glorious woman from HDU (and how surprisingly deliciously decadent a small spoonful crushed ice can be)”. “Ultimately, you saved my life (a few times, I’ve been told) and for that I’m happy to trade a little of my dignity (and the upper octaves of my voice).”

“Thank you for never giving up.” Within one week of marrying his sweetheart, Travis Abel was in the St Vincent’s Intensive Care Unit. Diagnosed with leukaemia, complications set in, and Travis suffered a stroke. What followed was a nightmare of hope and despair, for his bride Ellie, who sat by his side night and day. Unable to speak, paralysed on his right side, and battling cancer, Travis was in a bad way. Several times, waiting by his bedside, Ellie was told to say her final goodbyes. It was a whirlwind of hope, fear, technology, medication, farewells, tears and sheer determination. Travis spent 9 months at St Vincent’s across many wards, including ICU, the Cancer Centre, Rehabilitation, and many others. He had to learn how to walk, talk and even eat again. Speaking is still not easy for Travis, but wanted to say thank you to all the medical staff and nurses who cared for him during his treatment. “Words can’t describe it,” he said, looking at his wife, waiting for Ellie to elaborate. “They were there for you in those worst nights,” Ellie said, stepping into the verbal breach with practiced ease. “They would come and check on you… that in itself made those bad days a little bit better because you know you have that support.” “I remember one of the surgeons one night he came into the room and he said: ‘we’re in a bit of strife’ and I must not have taken it very well, he came and hugged me… and you don’t get that much from surgeons.” Travis is still on the mend, he’s back at work, and wholeheartedly agrees with Ellie, who says: “Thanks so much to everyone who helped us”

“October 2017 I was diagnosed with acute Necrotising Pancreatitis. Spent 8 days in ICU in Bendigo before being urgently flown to St.Vincents public. I spent a total of 9 weeks going from ICU and ward 7 East. The staff were amazing becoming almost a second family as my family were 2 hours away. They helped encourage me to get better and stronger every day. Even in the days that I was really down they knew how to cheer me up. My most memorable and appreciative act of kindness they did for me was let me borrow a conference room on the ward for a few hours to let me wrap my Christmas presents for my family as i didn’t know if I was going to be home to celebrate it. I will never forget the amazing level of care and gratitude that I got from all the staff on the ward. They are the reason why I’m still going strong today. Thank you so much”

Robert Coe had an incredible journey, surviving against the odds. When he went in for a complex open heart operation to fix a large coronary artery aneurysm he already had a struggling heart. At the end of a difficult operation, his heart gave out leading to a cardiac arrest. He was urgently placed on a very specialised, high level of support called Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) by his Cardiothoracic Surgeon. Large amounts of blood are sucked out of the body where a pump oxygenates and removes carbon dioxide before sending the blood back at pressure into the aorta, effectively bypassing the heart to give it time to recover. In addition to remaining on this high level of support for days in ICU, he also was kept in a coma on a ventilator, received dialysis and strong heart support medications among many interventions. He was finally well enough to be taken off this machine in theatre before starting his journey of recovery with a tracheostomy to help support his breathing. This tracheostomy was eventually taken out after rehabilitation on the ward. Thanks to the tireless efforts from a team of doctors and nurses from multiple departments, Robert is able to return to his family.