A TRANENT councillor has given a massive thank you to the NHS as he recovers from home after a quadruple heart bypass operation – but says the experience was “difficult and frightening”.
Kenny McLeod, Tranent, Wallyford & Macmerry councillor, went under the knife at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in February.
The 61-year-old told the Courier: “Over the last few months, it has been a very difficult time for me healthwise and my family.
“I am blessed and so lucky to have the support I have had from all my family, neighbours and friends to get me through my health problem.
“Helping people all my life and supporting local groups was all brought to a sharp halt in November after a heart scare in May.”
Kenny was rushed to hospital in May 2021 after he suffered chest tightness at home.
He spent several hours in hospital receiving tests and was given the all clear to return home that day.
Over the next couple of months, the SNP councillor underwent various scans and tests before being admitted to hospital in November to have a stent inserted to help with blood flow to his heart.
Unfortunately, the operation did not go as planned.
He said: “During the procedure, as I was not under general aesthetic, the staff and myself were very upbeat.
“That was until I was informed the stent would not work.”
Once Kenny was taken back to his hospital bed, he was informed by his doctor that he would require a quadruple heart bypass, which left him “overwhelmed with shock”.
A coronary artery bypass graft involves taking a blood vessel from another part of the body, including from the chest, leg or arm, and attaching it to the coronary artery above and below the narrowed area or blockage.
It wasn’t until February that Kenny was back in hospital to undergo the invasive operation – which lasted several hours – with six nights spent in hospital recovering post-op.
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Kenny told the Courier that before his operation went ahead, he ensured plans were in place for his family, will and finances should he not wake up from the operation.
He said: “I did so many things before I went into hospital and it sounds crazy but I got all my finances in place, my will updated, drafted, signed and dated.
“The mindset you get in can be frightening.
“Don’t get me wrong, the surgeon reassured me I had a high rate of success rate, but it was scary.”
Dr Kelvin Lim, from Dunbar, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, was involved in Kenny’s operation, and the company of a “Panner” in his recovery ward meant the East Lothian spirit was with him throughout his hospital stay.
Kenny said: “Being on a ward with a Panner made my stay in hospital all the better.
“Some of the nurses were from East Lothian as well.”
Councillor Stuart Currie, leader of the SNP Group on the council, said of Kenny’s recovery: “When I heard about [him] needing such a major operation, I was shocked.
“Kenny is not just my colleague but a very good friend.
“I was so pleased when he came through the operation and is now in recovery.
“My main words to Kenny were to make sure he put himself first for a change.
“Kenny is an outstanding local councillor for his ward, with decades of experience standing up for his community.
“That he is on the road recovery is, of course, great news for Kenny and his family, but it is also good news for the folk he represents. I have been contacted by so many people who want him back as soon as is possible doing what he does best, being a top local representative for his ward and constituents.”
Looking forward, Kenny says his role in the upcoming East Lothian Council elections in May have taken a backseat, with his health a number one priority.
“I have been warned by family, Stuart and my PA to not touch anything to do with work until I have had the OK from doctors,” Kenny said.
“I was okayed to drive last week, which is a delight.
“Even small outings take it out of me and the pain moves from different parts of my body.”
He added that, as the 10-inch scars on his arms and legs, and chest drain holes, heal, he is in great pain.
Kenny added: “I’d really like to thank the superb nurses, doctors and medical staff for taking great care of me.”
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