When Mel Evans suffered and survived a heart attack in Christmas 2021, he had no idea it would have such a life-changing impact. However, due to complications, he suffered a stroke and developed sepsis, the 61-year-old ended up needing to have a double lower-leg amputation.
It came as a surprise to the father-of-three, as he had been physically active throughout his life. Mr Evans, who during a 40-year career, both in the police and latterly the civil service as an operations manager, worked on investigations such as the Hillsborough disaster.
He said: “I regarded myself as fit. I would regularly cycle, go walking and I played five-a-side football once a week. But shortly after Christmas 2021 and a few miles walking with the family one afternoon, I started to feel extremely lethargic, and my symptoms got worse over a number of days. I asked my wife Lynwen to take me down to casualty at Glangwili where it was found I had suffered a heart attack. I was admitted straight away. I don’t remember anything but was rushed to Morriston Hospital and put into cardiac intensive care.” For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here.
Mel Evans pictured with his family on daughter Ffion’s wedding day -Credit:Swansea Bay University Health Board
Mr Evans underwent heart surgery and was in a coma for six weeks. But his experience didn’t end there, as other complications had led to life-changing consequences, including a stroke and bilateral below knee amputations. He then continued his lengthy rehabilitation journey with support from his family and through attending Morriston Hospital’s Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre (ALAC).
Staff there assessed his suitability, and following intensive physiotherapy issued him with two prosthetic legs, supporting him as he learned to adapt to life with them. His rehabilitation continues with weekly physiotherapy as an outpatient at Glangwili Hospital, with ongoing liaison and input from ALAC.
The 61-year-old’s family was determined to show their gratitude to the medics and hospital staff who supported him and helped him return to his Carmarthenshire home where he continued his rehabilitation. At the same time he was preparing for his daughter Ffion’s wedding – and welcoming into the family a dairy farmer whose family provided the calf to support the fund-raising. Now the family have been able to repay Morriston’s cardiac ITU in an unusual way.
Emyr Bowen pictured with the calf -Credit:Swansea Bay University Health Board
He said: “A few months ago, my then future son-in-law Emyr Bowen and his father Rob were holding an event to celebrate the centenary of the family business, Lan Farm at Idole, Carmarthen. They asked for suggestions of any charitable cause the proceeds of the sale of a pedigree Holstein calf should be donated to. Morriston Hospital’s cardiac intensive therapy unit seemed the obvious choice. Emyr plus his wider family and those attending the sale were supportive of the fund raising efforts and helped supplement the sale price realised by the calf. There was a raffle and other personal donations which all went into the pot helping reach the overall target of £2,000. We are all appreciative to those who kindly contributed.
“Reflecting on my sudden life changing illness, had it not been for the actions of all those involved in my care and extensive support in rehabilitation, I would not have been able to realise the aim of walking my daughter Ffion down the aisle at her wedding to Emyr in August this year. Words can’t really convey our family’s immense gratitude and appreciation of all the staff and teams involved at Cardiac ITU, Dan Danino Ward, ALAC, plus the numerous staff at Glangwili Gwenllian ward and physiotherapy outpatients department, which provides ongoing support. The staff are too numerous to mention individually but know who they are. We are really grateful for the work that you all do. Diolch o galon!” Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news. You will receive updates from us daily.