Thankful Perryman on road to recovery
Friday, June 15, 2012
Western Morning News
Exeter City's director of football, Steve Perryman, has spoken publicly for the first time since recovering from major heart surgery to thank the medical teams who saved his life.
The 60-year-old has been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home after being taken ill during the last home game of the season against Sheffield United at St James's Park last month. And he said he has been overwhelmed with the messages of support and cards from well-wishers.
Mr Perryman suffered from dissection of the aorta, which results in a lack of blood pumping to the heart. He needed a life-saving operation and spent three weeks in a coma in intensive care.
And he admits he may never have got the treatment he needed if it had not been for the instant medical support available within the ground.
He said the standard of care he continued to receive, at both the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, was the key to his recovery.
"I am getting stronger by the day and delighted to be home," he said. "I have got to go in for a check-up in a month's time but at the moment it is all positive."
The record appearance holder for Tottenham Hotspur, who has worked with the Grecians for ten years, said he felt a tightness in his chest early in the second half of the game.
"I knew something was wrong," he said. "I had to try and get that across to people to get some help.
"I managed to raise the alarm with [development coach] Andy Tilson, who ran to get the doctor on the bench. The speed at which I got treatment and where it happened possibly made all the difference.
"Who knows what would have happened if I was at home on a Friday night and my wife was in London.
"I was in such a public place with medical teams around me – the whole process started immediately. That was a major factor."
Mr Perryman was led away in full view of a packed crowd before being transferred to the RD&E.
His last memory of the incident was being in the ambulance with his daughter.
Once he arrived at Exeter a decision was made to transfer him to Plymouth, where he underwent an emergency operation.
Despite the operation being a success, he remained in a critical condition in intensive care and the club said at the time that he had a "big fight on his hands".
Mr Perryman then spent the next three weeks on a life-support machine.
"The medical staff everywhere were all brilliant – I cannot thank them enough," he said.
"Both in Plymouth and Exeter the level of care – even at 3am – was just unbelievable."
Among the well-wishers to have got in contact are football legends Jimmy Greaves, Pat Jennings and Ossie Ardiles, along with many ordinary supporters from a range of clubs.
"I am amazed at the number of cards that were sent," he said. "Since I have got home I have looked through the messages I got on that night.
"Some were from people I don't even know as well as many people from the past who used it as a chance to get back in touch.
"To all the supporters out there, I just want to say a big thank-you for all the concern and messages.
"There is rivalry between Exeter and Plymouth, but when health is concerned that is overridden.
"I had lots of messages from Plymouth fans and even Arsenal fans wishing me well."
Mr Perryman had good news for supporters about a return to the club – but urged them to be patient.
He said: "I just want to get back to it as soon as I can.
"I am not able to lift anything at the moment but will be as good as new in a few months."
www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Thankful-Perryman-road-recovery/story-16377182-detail/story.html
