Gosport woman who was saved twice in six weeks says '˜QA staff make you feel loved'

31/8/2018

Linda Chalk, 65, from Gosport, wants to say thanks to Queen Alexandra Hospital after they saved her life twice in six weeks. Picture: Sarah Standing (180642-3110) — 31/8/2018 Linda Chalk, 65, from Gosport, wants to say thanks to Queen Alexandra Hospital after they saved her life twice in six weeks. Picture: Sarah Standing (180642-3110)

Linda Chalk, from Gosport, said she cannot thank enough the team at Queen Alexandra Hospital who gave her her life back.

The 65-year-old said the care given to her felt like she was being looked after by relatives and everyone checked to see she was okay and make her smile.

The grandmotherÂ was admitted to Portsmouth's QA Hospital after she started having difficulty breathing and her body started to swell.

After a check-up in the emergency department, she was admitted to the cardiology ward.

Linda has rheumatoid arthritis and had a heart attack in March, where she spent time in QA. This time, fluid started filling the area surrounding her heart and the bottom of her lungs.

'˜When I was admitted to the C6 ward, the staff greeted me like an old friend,' she said.

'˜Valerie, one of the health care workers, gave me a big hug and everyone was treating me like family.

'˜All of the staff came to see me and check how I was.'

But Linda's health took a turn for the worseÂ andÂ she had to be resuscitated. She was thenÂ transferred to the intensive care unit.

Her body started to shut down and Linda's family were told she might not make it.

She added: '˜I have family who live in Gloucestershire and they were told to come down as soon as they could.

'˜But fortunately, one of the cardiologists wanted to try a different treatment and I started to recover. That treatment saved my life. Twice the staff saved me.'

Linda had to go to Southampton General Hospital for an MRI scan and when she returned, she got a warm welcome back from QA staff.

She said: '˜They came and met me when I got on the ward and gave me a hug, asking how it went. I could have cried.

'˜QA just has a lot of soul and the staff work so hard. I feel like family to them. Their care is like a relative caring for you, I have never experienced anything like it elsewhere.

'˜You feel loved, that is the best way I can explain it.'

After six weeks at the Cosham hospital, Linda isÂ home and recovering well.