Please Help Steve Gear after Open Heart Surgery

Hi our names are Kay & Peggy Hiscock, our dearest friend Steve Gear had three minor & one major Heart Attack on Sunday 3rd July whilst on holiday in Portugal. Luckily, he was with Richard, whose quick thinking to rush him to the nearest hospital (private one) 6 minutes away (not the general 20 minutes away) saved his life

Following emergency tests & overnight stay, the next day Monday 4th July he was air lifted from the private hospital to Lisbon General Specialist Cardiac Unit for a Open Heart Surgery to replace his Leaking Aortic Valve. 

Some hours later we heard from Richard the Op had gone well and he was stable in ICU.

He has been in ICU with tubes coming out of his heart & on Oxygen since, with his own nurse constantly by his side. 

Today, Saturday 9th July his team have moved him out of ICU onto a ward. Steve is very weak & unable to make phone calls, his family and I are getting short brief video messages. He is so humbled and grateful at all your kindness.

Today, Wednesday 13th July his cardiac team are trying to arrange for a Private Carer for him to be able to convalesce and recuperate at Richards in Faro, Portugal, (he is currently incapacitated & reliant on aid), he can continue with his follow up appointments with his Surgeon & when permitted enable Steve to come home and continue his recovery which will take some months yet.

Today, Thursday 14th July, Steve’s Cardiac Team have organised him a Private Carer & he’s coming out of hospital to stay with his friend, who has very kindly given him a room in his home, so Steve will be looked after until he’s well enough to come home. The private carer will look after him until such time.

Unfortunately Steve didn’t have any travel insurance, it was just a short break for him, so we are trying to raise funds to enable his ongoing care, he needs the Private Carer at his place of residence until he is well enough to travel, this can take anything from 4 to 8 weeks. Unfortunately, he has to pay for the Private Carer this is not covered by EHIC card.

On behalf of Steve and his family THANK YOU all so very much.