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Since being admitted to St Mary's Hospital, London last June I have just about returned to normal. I did want to stop drinking and the same day that I was due to see my counsellor to discuss rehab I found myself dialling 999 as I had all the symptoms of a heart attack. My blood pressure may have been sky high but the pain in my chest was simply disguising something possibly more deadly. I thanked the paramedics and politely declined their offer to take me to hospital. I was naturally reassured that I was not about to keel over with a heart attack and besides seeing my counsellor I couldn't possibly miss my Saturday lunchtime read of the papers down the pub.

Three hours later my symptoms had rapidly worsened and I found myself in the Clinical Decision Unit having been admitted as an emergency. From 'nil by mouth' on admission to the Charles Pannett ward my condition deteriorated and I was moved to the High Dependency Unit. My total stay had been almost three weeks and my chances of survival were put at 18%. Well one way or another I was now alcohol free, so in a way I'd achieved my goal. I can't praise all the staff under the leadership of Dr Paraskevas Paraskeva enough. I have no idea what private rehab would have cost me, perhaps £5,000. a week, never mind all the ancillary costs of scans, blood tests and physiotherapy. Then there was the after care costs of heart and liver scans. Doing this walk is just one way I can think of helping to repay and thank the NHS for all that they have done for me and yes more than one year later I'm still sober!  

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