• 2 arteries removed from my body
…I slept for 22 hours without waking up
From Fred Eze, Abuja
Former Board of Trustees Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Tony Anenih yesterday gave a graphic picture of his ordeal in a London hospital that inspired the rumour in Nigeria that he had passed on.
Anenih also known as “Mr Fix It” spoke at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Garki, Abuja during a special thanksgiving service in his honour before the public presentation of his book “My Life and Nigerian Politics”.
“It happened precisely a year and two months ago when I visited St. Thomas Hospital in United Kingdom for an eye surgery. Doctors in the hospital carried preliminary diagnosis and discovered that I had a problem with my heart. They discovered that the major artery that transports blood to my heart got burst. So I was subjected to eight hours of surgery and seven doctors were carefully selected to do that because of their experience.
“But before the commencement of the operations, the seven doctors that were to carry out the operations told the people that accompanied me that I won’t make it and it was loud to my hearing. Then I said to myself, if I am not going to make it, then it is better that I take the next available flight to Abuja, then connect to Uromi through Benin, so that I can die at home and make it easier for my children to bury me. But on a second thought, I said to myself, God brought me here for eye surgery but it had resulted in another thing and there may be reason for that.
“Then, I encouraged myself and also transmitted same encouragement to my family. I assured them that God that brought me here would see me through to the theatre and bring me back alive.
“On hearing that, the seven doctors looked at themselves and laughed profusely. Immediately, they took my bed to the theatre and shot the door for the surgery which lasted for eight hours. I was told that two arteries were removed from my body and replaced with new ones. The doctors were surprised that when they finished connecting the new ones, my heart began to function normally as if surgery never took place.
“They sent me to intensive care unit where I slept for 22 hours without waking up. In fact, the Chief Medical Director, perhaps unsure of the success of the surgery was eagerly waiting for the bad news of my possible death. When I finally woke up after 22 hours, one of the nurses rushed to the doctor and informed him that I had woken up, but the doctor was quoted to have asked the nurse to stop the joke.
“The doctor had to come by himself to my bed to confirm if I am fine and I responded to him yes!. I told him that I am very fine. In fact, I asked when they are starting the operation and he said, Chief we have finished the surgery 23 hours ago. That is my story,” he narrated.
The Edo State born politician said he lacked words to appreciate God for years of his love and kindness upon him.
“There is nothing God cannot do if you sincerely believe and trust in Him. If 200 Anenihs told you that you won’t achieve whatever goals you have set for yourself and God says otherwise, then the sky is your limit. He is the only being that would be with you when you are in critical position.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Catholic Diocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, apparently touched by the testimony of the elderstatesman reminded medical doctors and other dignitaries that only God can give life.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former Ministers, family members and well wishers all graced the special thanksgiving service.