Advanced Public Health Care in Cyprus Saved My Father’s Life: Open Letter of Thanks and The Story of The Darkest Week of My Life
Open Letter of Thanks
This is a recount of what has arguably been the worst week of my life so far, but more importantly, it serves as a positive thank-you note for our dedicated medical team—Opr. Dr. Hasan Ceyda, Op. Dr. Mehmet Arıkbuka, and Uzm. Dr. Guzin Zekican. Without them, my father would not have had a second chance at life.
In addition, I extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who donated blood and plasma, the hardworking nurses and staff, as well as our beloved family members and friends who showed immense support during this trying time. While it’s challenging to include everyone’s names here, I plan to express my gratitude privately.
I’ll do my best to include as many medical details as possible knowing that to praise the hard work I must acknowledge it. However please note that my medical knowledge falls significantly short. I apologize in advance if any mistakes are made in my attempt to praise their dedication.
The Beginning
It all began when a few months ago my father went to donate some blood. It was pretty routine, and something he often did when possible to help out. During the usual pre-donation checks, they discovered that he had remarkably high blood pressure, rendering him ineligible to donate. While this revelation raised slight alarm, we were unsuspecting of the gravity of the situation. Subsequently, we scheduled an appointment with a doctor, and he was prescribed medication for hypertension. We closely monitored his blood pressure, conducted blood tests, and proceeded with scheduled scans as part of the comprehensive diagnosis process.
To be candid, at that point, none of us fully grasped the severity of the situation. We took precautions, but, in hindsight, not swiftly enough. It’s a fact that, on my father’s side of the family, the male members have traditionally experienced a shorter lifespan, with many departing too soon in their 50s. Acknowledging this now, I can’t help but feel a sense of guilt; perhaps we should have been more proactive in our approach. Unfortunately, we cannot change the past.
Everything Unfolded Very Quickly
Day 1: Friday 12 January, 2024
In just about a month from the discovery of my father’s hypertension, a sudden and alarming turn of events occurred. He woke up one morning with an intense pain in his chest. Concerned, he and my mother rushed to the nearest hospital in Kyrenia, where initial tests were conducted. However, the situation escalated as he experienced another round of severe chest pain. A few hours later, I received a distressing call from my mother—they were transferring my father to Dr. Burhan Nalbantoglu State Public Hospital in Nicosia via an ambulance. His condition was critical, requiring further tests and scans.
I immediately picked up my sister, and we hurried to the emergency services at Nicosia State Hospital. Joining my father in the ER, he underwent additional scans while still in pain but conscious. Several hours passed in the ER, and eventually, the emergency doctor conveyed the disheartening news—the scans were concerning. While my understanding was limited, it seemed there was a tear in his aorta. However, this wasn’t the specialty of the ER doctor, and we awaited information from the cardiology doctors.
They promptly transferred my father to the Intensive Care Unit in the Cardiology department. Meanwhile, the board of this department convened to discuss the optimal course of action for his treatment.
The Diagnosis
The three of us—my mum, my sister, and myself—were summoned to Opr. Dr. Ceyda’s office to receive a comprehensive diagnosis and learn about the decisions made by the specialist and operating doctors. The essence of our conversation left me with a dual understanding: the situation was gravely serious, and simultaneously, we were in the most capable hands.
The medical diagnosis quote on quote taken from his medical file was that my father had aortic aneurysm and dissection, Intramural Hematoma of the Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch, and a “complicated” Type III aortic dissection. The doctor informed us that the ascending aorta needed to be replaced, as there was tearing, they were also suspected of bleeding. The persistently high blood pressure added additional stress to the aortic lining, carrying a significant risk of rupture or further tearing, potentially fatal. Simultaneously, they needed to assess the damage to the valves, likely aggravated by the prolonged high pressure. Angioplasty and stent placement were on the horizon, but the immediate focus was on addressing the aortic aneurysm.
They would know more once he stabilizes and they will act accordingly in the operation theater upon closer inspection. Doctors decided to wait until Monday to operate with the hopes of stabilizing him before the operation unless things got worse over the weekend which would demand an emergency surgery. He was so confident and so transparent that I was put at ease to a degree, I knew the risks were still at great length (as he told us) but I also felt that we were at the best place we could be.
My sister is more versed in medical understanding as her educational background is further aligned than mine hence she asked her questions. Then I asked mine, mainly about the survival rate and if there was a better chance at survival elsewhere. I asked a lot of point-blank questions, I wanted to really know if there was perhaps a better private hospital in or out of the country. The doctor assured me confidently that this was it, that we were at the best place we could be and the huge risk was still there but it is at minimum where we were. There were no other better hospitals that were private or outside of the country that could have made it better. First and foremost, it was very dangerous to leave the ICU at this stage. The doctor was confident that we were at the most capable hospital already and his reassurance meant a lot. We already were given the very best in our public healthcare in our state hospital.
We were asked to get blood donations for this specific blood type to further support the blood bank, and we would ideally find all the units of blood needed as soon as possible as there was a possibility of an emergency operation if things got worse.
Community Values in Cyprus
Nevertheless, we had nothing to worry about because upon leaving the doctor’s office we were greeted by my father’s friends from his teacher’s union. They showed up and did it all for us. A great deal of organization and reach they possessed. In a matter of minutes, the blood donation call was spread everywhere and was even on the national news. Within the first hour, tens of units of blood needed were found… I was barely processing what was going on, meanwhile, Mrs. Eylem and Mr. Gokcebel got all of their team and provided us with all that was needed. Then as the word got out, the foot traffic began, and it kept going for hours. Our beloved friends and family were all there for us and my father.
We were not alone. His heart had touched so many lives during his teaching career and his community services that we were showered with support. People really made it a lot easier to bear this time. Hundreds have reached out, and thousands have shared their support, as the news channels reported the need for blood his students from all around the country kept calling to donate all day and all night long, some even traveling for hours in the middle of the night to donate blood. Support came in all shapes and forms, it was a couple of dozen people waiting at the doors of the ICU, calls never stopped, and people came with full arms of flowers, food, and medical supplies. We never even needed to ask for anything.
The hours went by, and the evening rolled around. The doctor came out to inform us that my father’s blood pressure had moderately reduced but still not enough. The doctors told us that the three of us, the immediate family, could see him for a minute, but we needed to empty out the hallways of the ICU. We got to see him briefly and then went to our home in the capital, Nicosia. Throughout the night, our phones never stopped, but the dreaded call luckily never came from the hospital. It was all our friends and loved ones calling.
I spoke with my doctor friends from various places around the world, and they all assured me that this was the right procedure to follow. On Saturday morning, he was stabilized. Over the weekend, it was very hard to wait, so we prayed. Later on, I would learn that all of the doctors volunteered and stayed in the hospital over the weekend in case an urgent operation was needed. The following two days luckily went well, and my father made it to Monday without the need for an urgent operation, thanks to the excellent care he received in the ICU and God’s grace.
The Day of The Operation
Day 4: Monday 15 January, 2024
On the day of the surgery, we were at the hospital at around 6.30, and we got to see my father in the ICU to wish him well and send him off to the surgery. Due to the preparation period for the operation and post-op waiting period, we did not know exactly when the operation started and ended until they brought him back to the ICU.
The first 3 hours went by, and we were waiting outside the division that had the operating theater and the ICU. It was hard to think about what was going on inside the operation room. Laying on my father’s chest as a kid was my favorite, it was hard to comprehend that his chest was wide open on an operating table with his organs out, a small army of people operating on him. He is only 55, and I was very scared of losing him.
Then it got even harder. On the fourth hour, another family who was waiting for their loved ones’ operation was informed that they lost their father. They broke down and it was really heartbreaking to witness. May he rest in peace.
The fifth hour was the visiting hour for the ICU, well more like the visiting minute as each next of kin was allowed a minute inside. But there was a hold-up inside, and other families were waiting outside. Then one of the families waiting outside was informed that their elderly intubated father also passed away in the ICU.
On one hand, I empathized with them; on the other hand, I was scared to share the same fate. The last hour was especially difficult to bear; I was terrified of being the next to receive the bad news. In the sixth hour, the anesthesiologist left the division and told us that so far, the operation was going well. They had finished the operation and were now working on controlling the bleeding before closing up the chest.
Another hour later, our surgeon Dr. Ceyda came out to give us the good news. The operation went well, and my father would be moved to the ICU in a few hours. He informed us that the next few days were still critical, but we still let out a sigh of relief. The gloomy mood now turned cheerful, and we all embraced one another in the hallways. My father got extubated later that evening.
First-of-its-Kind Surgery Successfully Performed in Cyprus
Later on, we learned that this type of surgery was performed for the first time in Cyprus for my father. The operating doctor had previously performed this procedure overseas, and we considered ourselves fortunate to have him. The surgery was conducted under hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), and my father had cables coming out of his neck, which I later discovered were connecting to his organs to keep them functioning during the surgery.
The surgery involved the use of a newly tried aorta replacement material from Germany, which has been available for approximately 8 years. While we are uncertain about the full long-term effects, this represents the latest medical technology. The decision to use this material was made to avoid compromising my father’s mobility, considering his young age. The doctors did not want to risk potential leg disability by removing the aorta from his leg to replace the one with the tear in it.
The Doctor’s Successful Academic and Practical Background
Dr. Ceyda received his education in Cyprus and has garnered valuable experience as a cardiovascular surgeon at Istanbul Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, a renowned institution in the field. His expertise is evident in breakthrough operations and an exceptionally high success rate.
Opr. Dr. Ceyda’s academic profile can be explored further at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hasan-Ceyda-2
Dr. Arikbuka’s educational foundation is rooted in Ankara University, and he earned his MD from Ege University. Like Dr. Ceyda, he brings a wealth of experience and a track record of successful operations, contributing to the high success rate of the medical team.
Explore more about Opr. Dr. Arikbuka at: https://www.ctsnet.org/home/marikbuka
Their combined academic excellence and practical achievements underscore their commitment to delivering top-notch cardiovascular care, providing a strong foundation for confidence in the medical team managing my father’s case.
Public Healthcare in Cyprus
In light of the unfolding events, we came to a profound realization of the excellence of our public healthcare system in Cyprus. After thorough research, it became evident that there wasn’t a single hospital in or around the country that could surpass the level of care we were receiving. This revelation provided a deep sense of assurance and underscored the invaluable nature of our public healthcare.
It was a realization that transcended the conventional norms, highlighting that, in times of need, the best medical care was not bound by financial constraints. In our case, the best was not only assured but also freely accessible. This experience shed light on the invaluable asset of a robust public healthcare system, where the quality of care was not compromised, making us appreciate the significance of accessible and top-notch healthcare during critical times.
Post-Op Care and Discharge From The Hospital
Day 12: Tuesday 23 January, 2024
My father was moved out of the ICU on Wednesday 17th of January, into a private room. It was a hard week, with the main emphasis on breath exercises to get the lungs to fill up the rib cage back. He would need to sleep in an elevated position, walk, and use breath exercise balls. It is hard to see him weak and having lost so much weight approximately 13kg in a matter of a week. Having to learn to do the simplest things like eating again, walking again, sitting again is difficult.
On Saturday, 20th of January his surgical drains were removed and on Tuesday 23rd of January cables on his neck were removed and he was discharged from the hospital on the same day. His post-op care will continue for three more months at home, upon full recovery angioplasty and stent placement will be performed.
The Medical Bill
The medical bill was nothing. His social security insurance covered all of the charges. Knowing that this level of care is accessible for the residents with medical cards at no cost, made me proud of my country once again. The best healthcare was accessible for all.
Heartfelt Thanks
We have a long way of recovery ahead. Further minor operations, and a complete change of lifestyle. But for now, I send my heartfelt thanks to our doctors and medical team who worked very hard to save my father’s life, forever changing the trajectory of our lives for the better.
Sincerely,
Director of Mediterranean Condos | Investment, and Residency Expert Broker in Cyprus Real Estate
Voted Forbes Best Buy | Formerly associated with Live and Invest Overseas, Forbes Global Properties, & Expat Exchange
Email: 📧 cyprus@mediterranean.condos
Phone: ☎️ +90 533 864 1652
Hello Soylem, Your Father must be a very loved person in TRNC with the response you/he/your family received from everyone. I am so glad all went well for him and that he received such good medical attention from the Public Service – I would say, he was one very lucky man and may he improve in health as each day goes by. All the best, Georgina