Well, I had a, they put all these things on me again which they did on the first one, but I think it was a more advanced one that they say it goes deeper, probes deeper than what the first one would. And they did say that there, there might have been a small one on the second valve. But it wasn’t, it wasn’t a problem or anything. I said, well at the time I said I thought it was only the, the one valve. But they said they thought there was a small one on the second one. But they say none of them was a problem so I just accepted what they say and that was it.

So you went along thinking that you
Yeah.

ad one leaky valve
And they told me I might have had two.

But as I say, I only had one as far as the first screening said. So…

And did they tell you this was a serious problem or did they think it wasn’t something you should be concerned about?

They said it was nothing to be concerned about. That was the words they said. There’s nothing to be concerned about So…

And did they give you any treatment for it or anything like that?

Nothing at all.

And did they give you any information about it?

Just, only that it was not a problem and that was, you know, I accepted what they say, so I didn’t get any deeper into it really.

And so you, you weren’t concerned at all at the thought of something more having been discovered?

Not really, no. I mean, obviously if it had, if they had have said there was something more and something had to be done then I would have to think about it seriously more then. But they said there’s no problem with it, so that was what I took for gospel, you know [laughs].

Cathy’ I think if there were a pamphlet or a booklet or something that I could take home and look at, that would be helpful. But the person-to-person parts of it were absolutely fine. No problems there at all. Very pleasant. It wasn’t, it was not in any way an unpleasant action, activity.

Fraser’ I’d second that. I think the, the process itself was fine. I, I wouldn’t place so much importance on a pamphlet, because if I want to find out about something, being a geeky sort of person, I would go and look on the Internet. And I’m probably one of, becoming one of those people who is a pain to the doctor, because I go in [laughs] and sort of say, you know, I think it’s thi or, I think it’s that

The one thing that I think would be helpful to us is that having picked up Cathy as a person that they want to follow through, it would be nice to have some kind of feel for the timescale of that. We assume that since we’re now two and a half months or thereabouts downstream that there is no pressing urgency there. But, you know, are we talking about a week, a month, six months, something like that? And actually that knocks on to other experiences that we have, because this is not the only point of medical contact we have with the hospital system. And that is that timescales are firstly very drawn out, and secondly very indefinite. You really don’t know when anything is going to happen at all. And I mean it’s assumed that since you’re retired you actually don’t have anything to do. But that’s not true at all, you know.

And what about you, when you were told the results? How did you feel about that?

Peg’ Well, she never went any further, sort of thing, at that point. She just said that she could see the bits and pieces that were, weren’t right and that I would have another appointment and what have you. And I did worry a bit about it, but then again, when I went to the other one later on in the afternoon–

Roy’ [laughs]

Peg’ – which was done by a doctor, he then went on to explain what would happen. He said, There’s nothing, it’s nothing to worry about at this point in time But they’ll just keep an eye on it and if, at a later date, anything had to be done then he went on to explain what would be done, which I found quite interesting, really.

And what did he tell you might be the options later on?

Peg’ Later on, is to have this – I know some people when they’ve got a bad heart they have what they call a stent put in, which is this umbrella thing, isn’t it, which goes in the groin. Well this, he explained to me, would do, they’d do the same thing, going in through the groin but instead of it opening up like an umbrella, sort of thing, it would take the place of the valve and pump for me. But he said that’s a long way away off. So I was quite relieved about that, because I didn’t particularly want to go in again [laughs].

[Laughs] Now most people, I guess, well, virtually everybody probably won’t go straight on to another heart scan later in the afternoon [laughs].

Peg’ No! [laughs].

Roy’ Well no.

And have that.

Roy’ That was just how it worked out, really.

Peg’ That’s just how it worked out. And I ummed and ahhed about it, and I did explain to the doctor when I got there at the hospital that what had happened. Oh, well He said, We’ll see if we come up with the same results And of course they did which was – but he, being a doctor, was able to explain, because I mean I don’t know what training the young lady had that took our scans, sort of thing, had, but he then went on to explain what would happen.

Would you have liked to have been given something to take away with you? some information?

I might have been happier had I been told what, how serious it is or how unimportant it is, because to me it seemed, although it was found, but nobody gave me any indication as to what I can or cannot do, avoid any strenuous exercise or work or anything like that. But, as I say, at the moment I’m just waiting to see what happens.

And you’re not sure yet whether they’re going to ask you to go back for another appointment?

No, up till now nobody has bothered, so I’m just wondering. I feel rather, a bit let down.

Can you remember her saying on the day that you went for the screening and giving you the results whether you would be asked for another appointment?

She may have done, I cannot remember. I was a little bit shocked to discover there was something wrong, but having said that, she may have said. I can’t remember.

I did receive a letter from…

From the screening programme?

Yes, from the screening program.

And what did you think about that letter?

Well, there again, it gave me some idea that there was in fact something wrong, but I am no judge of the seriousness of it. As I say, it may not be much, it may not be very serious, but not knowing, this is a bit of a worry.

Could they have done something to make that letter better? I mean, if they’d included a sort of a, a summary of it or something? Would that have helped?

Well they could have assured me, There’s absolutely nothing to worry or given me advice as to what I can or cannot do, should avoid any strenuous exercise, any strenuous work, bending, stair-climbing or whatever, jogging.

Anything that could have an effect on the heart valve.

How long did you have to wait between your first appointment for screening and then your follow-up appointment?

Six months.

Six months.

Yes.

And how did you feel during that time?

What the waiting period?

Perfectly all right. I didn’t sort of worry about it or think about it. It didn’t worry me at all. As I think I’ve said before I’m very happy to take part in a research. I worked in a research establishment. I think it’s a good thing to do.

And at your first appointment you were told you had a leaky valve?

Yes.

And had you been given any information about what that might mean at the time?

I hadn’t before I did, before I knew that I got it, I didn’t have any information about it. The lady explained to me a little bit about it and said that it, you know, wasn’t serious and it was quite common for my age group sort of thing. It certainly doesn’t affect me in anything I do. I can still run up and down the path even now if I want to [chuckles]. Not as fast as I could a few years ago, but it, it doesn’t worry me. And I do quite a lot of physical work. I’m quite happy about it.

No, no problem.

And after that appointment were you expecting to be called for a follow up?

Yes. Yes.

They did say that you know, quite possibly would be called for a follow up. I was quite happy about that, that was, that was, that was OK, yes.

OK.

No problem.

So I guess the first thing is to, is to sort think about that waiting time, and how long you had to wait, and what it was like waiting.

Cathy’ It wasn’t a problem at all, because they made it fairly obvious that it was very minor. So it was nothing in particular to worry about. I mean, it’s the wee small hours when things sort of catch up with you a little bit, and I was sort of listening to my own heartbeat and thinking, Well, come on, you can do better than that [Laughs]. But, you know, I mean it’s not a worry because they were very relaxed about telling me. I mean, they treated it beautifully. There was no sort of, Oh, dear, we had better do.. or fuss, fuss, palaver. Nothing like that. It was totally professional and smooth, and quite reassuring, You have this little problem Okay, other people have other problems. That’s mine.

And can you remember how, how long it was?

Cathy’ Not a clue. I can’t tell you that at all, I’m sorry [laughs].

And it was a morning appointment. Two young ladies and there weren’t anybody else, there didn’t seem to be like a waiting room or maybe enough for two people to sit in, one being seen and maybe one waiting like, you know.

And how did you feel about having to go to that hospital?

I’m, I’ve never been a great lover of hospitals even from a youngster. I had to go in when my sister was in hospital for a long time, about nine months. And I had to go more or less every other, or every week to see her. And it just sort of put me off really so, the shorter time I spend in them the better [chuckles].

And your first appointment was at a local health centre.

It was. It was, yeah.

And just how did you feel about those two different locations that you had to go to?

I didn’t mind because it, it was a with having a family with heart problems I was pleased to think that I could be kept a check on. And I found it very interesting looking at the, when they gave me the feedback to show me the actual leaks.

On the screen?

On the screen. And they just on, and then on, when I went to the second appointment they just confirmed, yes they are leaking but you’ve got no problems.

OK.

Really. It, well what they said is, it’s quite normal for a person of your age or fairly normal for somebody of your age to have these leaking valve things.

The appointment was very much to time. We were, you know, we went in, both Pam and I were I think I went in first and you know, it, it was all very nice, very, it was very good. Same lady that I’d seen before, she was very pleasant and as I said, I’d shown an interest in the equipment before and she was very good. Excellent. Yes. And Pam said afterwards that you know, although she’d had a, a mammogram done before, previous, that she was very good about it, and she knew every, everything was very pleasant and was quite, we both quite enjoyed it actually
OK.

It wasn’t unpleasant.

And was the hospital a convenient location for you to have to go to?

Yes, yes, it was, it was quite easy to, it was about 20 odd miles I think from here but it’s an easy, very easy journey.

Yes. No trouble.

And how did you feel about your follow up appointment being in a hospital because your first one had been at your local health centre, hadn’t it?

didn’t make any difference at all. I mean, it, it was just the same. I don’t have anything about going to hospitals. it’s as I say I’m fortunate that I don’t, I haven’t had to go personally very often [laughs] but it’s no, it wasn’t any problem. That was all right, yes. Yeah. We just made a day, I think we went and had lunch afterwards and that was [laughs]
Made a day of it.

That’s right, yes.

And so what actually happened? You arrived and you were sitting in the waiting room and then you were called in?

Yes.

And then what happened?

I went in she explained again what she was going to do, which was similar to what she’d done before. Did I lie on the couch? I think I laid on a, on a couch. She had the equipment by the side of her and you know, we went from there.

It was all, it was very pleasant actually [laughs] It was quite nice. She, as I say, she was a nice person and it was nice to talk to and we had a bit of chat in between and it was very good.

And how long did it last for?

Anthony’ [sighs] Difficult to say. It wasn’t very long. It could have been sort of 20 minutes; it may have been half an hour, sort of thing. But it wasn’t any longer than that. It was only a few minutes, it may have been quarter of an hour but it, time went very quickly.

And then what did she tell you was your condition whenever you’d finished?

She explained that I’d still got this leaky valve and that it hadn’t sort of, I don’t think she said it had changed from when she’d examined me before, it was still the same. And you know, if I hadn’t had any problems in my life up to then with it there was no reason why I should have any problems now. And certainly I haven’t had any problems – sorry I’m a bit superstitious – with it, since and as I say I feel perfectly all right. No, it’s OK. In fact, I was very surprised when she said I’d got a leaky valve because I didn’t think I’d got anything wrong with me at all [laughs].

And so has knowing that made you feel any differently about yourself?

No, not really. No, I’m just the, basically the same. There’s othe

And can you remember what exactly happened at the appointment?

I can’t remember precisely but I, because I’ve been for other scans for other things and I get one confused with another. But the thing that impresses me is how well organised everything is now. And the appointments are normally very much on time and one’s very well looked after. You’re normally given an explanation of what’s going to happen and the whole thing is very satisfactory.

And were you given another diagnosis at that follow up appointment or did they not find anything new?

I don’t recall anything new.

OK. So you just have one leaky heart valve?

As far as I know
OK [laughs]… so were you offered any treatment?

No. I think that the condition is regarded as reasonably innocuous and not life threatening, so I’m quite relaxed about it.

OK.

Although I’m glad to be under survey so that if anything does change I might be, be alerted very quickly, which is always a good thing.

OK. And so you didn’t, the fact that you weren’t offered treatment was that sort of reassuring because it meant it wasn’t serious?

Yes. I’m all for lots of people who are keeping a close eye on me.

OK.

On the principle that the sooner something is discovered the more likely you are to have it remedied with a satisfactory outcome.

OK. And were you given any information about your heart valve?

I don’t recall it. No, I’m simply aware from the first time it was mentioned that it is a not unusual condition. And the particular condition I have is not that serious.

OK

I haven’t been aware of any change in that situation.

OK. And do you think there’s any information that you would have liked to have had?

I can’t think of any.

And the latest one, it was discovered there was an odd extra heart beat and I think it was something else which seemed to have developed since my initial appointment. So I’m wondering how significant that is.

OK.

it’s not bothering me in any way because I don’t feel ill or anything, I don’t feel any different but I’m just wondering if there’s anything that could tell us about the progress,

And so do you think that the extra heart beat was something you didn’t have…?

I’m wondering if it was there all along
Yeah.

…if it was, why was it not mentioned or diagnosed except at the last appointment.

And did you get any information about your condition?

Not necessarily, no, not really.

OK.

I was just told what I just said and that was it.

Yeah. And how did you feel about that?

I’m quite happy. As I say, it doesn’t hurt me or it doesn’t cause any problems. So now I’m here telling you all about it. There’s not much to tell because as I say I don’t feel any different. I feel quite happy. I’m quite able to do anything and everything I want. It doesn’t worry me personally, but if there is anything that can be gleaned from this then that will be helpful, if not to me then to somebody else perhaps. It will, may help you in your research.

OK.

Hopefully.

And were you given any treatment for the leaky valve or
No, not at all.

the heartbeat?

When I spoke to my doctor he didn’t seem to be unusually bothered by it.

Hmhm. OK. And did you speak to your GP after you had been to all these appointments?

Yes, yes.

Right. And did your GP already know about you having been to the screening?

I told him but I think that he has been informed. He is aware of it.

So I imagine he will keep on being informed.

OK. And has he told you that he’s going to keep an eye on you in the future because of your

No, he hasn’t. As I say, he doesn’t seem to be unduly worried.

OK. OK. And so the day that you went for your appointment to the hospital, did you find it convenient to get there or
No trouble at all. I can use the bus pass, I can get there provided the timing is right
it doesn’t cost me anything.

I’m, no, I’m sometimes intrigued really to in, ask, you know, how long will it take for them to get that bad where they’ve maybe got to do something about it. Because maybe they left it too long with my friend from Australia because now they’re saying he’s too weak to be operated on. So I just wonder whether there is a, somewhere along the line a cut off point where they might decide to do something, you know.

So with having these follow ups and stuff and hence it keeps the doctors I thought you would, they were doing this survey in all the practices but it was mainly in the, in the health centre where I am. And the feedback goes to the doctors there, doesn’t it? So
I don’t know how they would whether they would say to or how long it would be before they decided to do anything, or if they decided to do anything at all.

And have they asked you to come back for another follow up?

No they haven’t.

OK. And
No.

was it discussed that you might be called back again?

Memory’s a great thing, isn’t it? [laughs].

[Laughs]

I think, I don’t think so. I don’t think they, there was any sort of mention.