A Life Threatening Illness; Intensive Care; the Brilliant Medical Staff at Barts Heart Centre and My Awesome Friends' Help & Support - Shrewsbury & London

A Life Threatening Illness; Intensive Care; the Brilliant Medical Staff at Barts Heart Centre and My Awesome Friends' Help & Support - Shrewsbury & London - August & September 2026

7/9/2026

How Quickly Life Can Change

A virus/ food poisoning incident in Shrewsbury morphed into the discovery of my significant heart issues in London.

Blue Lighted in an Ambulance to Hospital

As soon as my City of London GP got the results of my blood tests she organised an ambulance from my home. I was taken to The Royal London Hospital but, after a night there, was transferred to Intensive Care at the specialist Barts Heart Centre, with acute breathing difficulties.

Intensive Care at Barts Heart Centre

Barts Heart Centre is one of best places in the UK to deal with heart issues.

I met numerous consultants & cardiologists but Professor Richard Schilling & Cardiologist Dr Mark Earley were some of the first people to discuss my condition with me. Professor Schilling's positivity, & Mark's professionalism, were bright lights at a dark period in my life. Inducing a coma was discussed, if other options did not work.

A Private Room at Barts Heart Centre with A View of The Barbican Estate

After Intensive Care, I was given a private room to convalesce in with a view of The Barbican tower Graham & Clare live in.

My Marvellous Friends

From my neighbour Sophy, to my Welsh relation Sera, to Graham & Clare in The Barbican, to John Watts, to Chef Elliott Grover from 45 Park Lane & the Dorchester Collection spa candle he gave me, Emma from Qatar to Matthew, their superb gifts, visits and practical help & mental support were invaluable.

Prognosis

My MRI identified my heart is 22% efficient, a normal heart is 58%. This led to fluid on my lungs and liver & kidney damage.

While still in hospital they managed to reverse the damage to my lungs & liver. We are still working on my kidneys. I am now a Type 2 Diabetic, injecting myself with insulin.

I am taking a large number of medications to strengthen my heart's function. While still in Barts Heart Centre I undertook 4 procedures. One of these stopped and restarted my heart.

Once my heart is stronger, I will undertake more procedures in October 2026 but I also need to lower my BMI by then. I will be prescribed Mounjaro to help me with that goal.

Umbria Birthday Celebrations & My Italian Trip

I have had no choice but to cancel my Italian trip. I am devastated by this.

District Nurses & My GPs

I am so impressed by the District Nurses. They have already visited me twice at home & even rang my GP, to ensure I got there OK.

My Intensive Care bed in Barts Heart Centre. I was on numerous IV drips & monitoring equipment.

My Romford ambulance that struggled navigating The Barbican.

My butterfly card from Clare in The Barbican.

The homemade cookies from 45 Park Lane. The Bart's Medical Staff loved them. Chef Elliott Grover is too good a friend.

Jennifer at Naked Jam makes marmalade for Claridge's, The Emory, Corinthia, London etc & still found time to send me a care package.

My friend Kathy, mother of my godson Miles, gave me some perfect gifts.

A Fortnum & Mason hamper & even gifts from The House of Lords.

Now home in The Barbican & neighbour Wendy did a first class job looking after my Barbican window boxes.

36 Comments

Nick and Rick

7/9/2026 02:56:52 pm

Simon,

Rick and I were so sorry to read this. After following all of your adventures, celebrations, hotels, restaurants, and travels over the years, it was genuinely difficult to see the photographs from Barts and realize just how serious the past few weeks have been for you.

What came through more than anything, though, was the extraordinary number of people who immediately surrounded you with care and support. Sophy, Sera, Graham and Clare, John, Emma, Matthew, Chef Elliott, Jennifer, Kathy, and so many others clearly wanted to do whatever they could to make an incredibly difficult time a little easier. Having friends like that is something very special, and it says a great deal about the friendships you have built throughout your life.

We were particularly touched by all the thoughtful gestures while you were in the hospital and recovering. And we have to say, your window boxes looked absolutely beautiful. There was something especially cheerful about seeing them in the middle of such a difficult post. Knowing that your friends and neighbors were also looking after things at home must have provided some comfort while you were away from the Barbican.

Most importantly, the doctors, cardiologists, nurses, and wider team at Barts Heart Centre sound remarkable. Professor Schilling’s positivity and Dr. Earley’s professionalism clearly meant a great deal during what must have been an incredibly frightening period. We are so thankful you were surrounded by people with the expertise and compassion to care for you when you needed them most.

Your blog has always celebrated the very best things in life, but this post was a powerful reminder that the people we have around us ultimately matter more than any hotel, restaurant, or destination. Judging by the extraordinary response from your friends, you have some very special people in your life.

We are thinking of you from across the Atlantic and wishing you continued strength and a steady recovery. We look forward to seeing Simon and Issy back on their adventures when the time is right.

Rick & Nick

Si Frew link

7/9/2026 03:03:05 pm

Thanks for saying all this. Almost cried today about the District Nurses & them ringing my GP. Their kindness, as well as my friends help & generosity, has shocked me, in a good way.

Joshua

7/9/2026 03:07:22 pm

Hope you are on the mend. Best wishes- Joshua Pilling.

7/9/2026 04:02:07 pm

Thanks for your good wishes. Off to get more gifts from our Porters downstairs next.

Samantha Garvin

7/9/2026 03:14:34 pm

You’ve given us quite the scare Simon. I’m grateful for the wonderful care you received and wish you a speedy recovery.

Italy will be there when you’re well my friend.

Xx

7/9/2026 04:04:48 pm

It has been a rough few weeks but the silver lining is the kindness of all my friends.

Susan Stirling

7/9/2026 03:23:56 pm

Your fans in Canada were also concerned about you! You've given me so much advice and entertainment and are a real source for trip planning and living the great life. I know from experience, recovering from a major health set back takes time and patience, but I also know that you have that ability, especially with so many people who adore you and are there to help and keep your spirits up.

I'm counting on you to not only head to Italy, but a few SiFrew tips about Portugal will help. Lisbon is one of the very few cities I fell in love with early and I think repeated visits have greatly enhanced my knowledge, but I am sure you can add to my experiences.

Listen to your doctors, your RNs, and your friends! We are still very much in need of your guidance!

7/9/2026 04:08:49 pm

Never been to Portugal but hear it is incredible.

The District Nurses and my GP were a huge help yesterday & today.

John

7/9/2026 03:37:49 pm

Simon, what an incredibly powerful and sobering post. Having visited you in hospital, I saw first-hand just how seriously ill you were, and it was genuinely upsetting to see you in that situation. At the same time, it was hugely reassuring to witness the world-class care you were receiving at Barts Heart Centre — the skill and dedication of the medical and nursing teams, together with the extraordinary equipment and facilities available to them, were truly remarkable.

Nick and Rick expressed it beautifully in their response. Your post really does show that, when life suddenly changes, the greatest luxury of all is having wonderful people around you. The extraordinary kindness of your friends, neighbours, medical team and the district nurses is genuinely heartwarming. Their thoughtfulness, practical help and simply being there clearly made an enormous difference.

I was particularly struck by your comments about the district nurses. The fact that they not only visited you but went the extra mile to make sure you got the help you needed says so much about the care and humanity of the people looking after you. And, of course, it’s lovely to see that even your Barbican window boxes were being looked after!

As Nick and Rick said, your adventures will still be there. Italy will wait, the hotels and restaurants will wait, and Issy can presumably cope with a little enforced time off from travelling! Right now, the priority is simply getting you stronger and giving yourself the time to recover properly.

Wishing you continued strength, patience and a steady recovery. You’ve clearly discovered just how many people care about you, and I hope that knowledge gives you as much comfort as all those wonderful gestures have.

Take care of yourself — there are plenty more adventures still to come.

7/9/2026 04:13:16 pm

After your first visit, Graham commented what an astonishing guy you are. I am so lucky to count you as a friend and could not have got through this without you.

Katherine McAdam

7/9/2026 04:09:13 pm

Glad to hear you are on the mend ❤️‍🩹, sounds like you have had truly amazing healthcare, fabulous. Sorry you have had to go through this although sounds like you were lucky they picked it up. Take care and hope to see you soon.

7/9/2026 04:15:34 pm

Kind of you to say all that. A bit overwhelmed by it all.

Patricia Frost

7/9/2026 04:58:21 pm

It sounds as though you having the best of care Simon. Best wishes for your continuing recovery with love Denise & Pat xxx

7/9/2026 05:47:51 pm

Yes, Barts Heart Centre are the best. Thanks for your good wishes.

Gus

7/9/2026 07:11:18 pm

How wonderful to read you are finally back home! Recovering in a hospital can be quite stressful even in a room with a view. Any new souvenirs for the coffee table from Barts? Hope you feel in top form very fast.

7/9/2026 07:31:57 pm

It is good to be home & I have the second Fortnum & Mason hamper to remember Barts.

Peter Gong

7/9/2026 07:23:37 pm

My dear Simon, often a simple situation such as a food poisoning incident that leads to hidden issues that are missed. So happy to see your GP and the district nurse were pro-active.

You were optimistic with your postings on IG. To know you have great friends who deeply care, it is a wonderful reminder that Caring people still exist in this often chaotic world.

I know this from your mention that Graham and Clare went by the Barts Heart Centre to visit you as well as your favourite chef and hoteliers. How sweet that your neighbour, your relations dropped by too. I see the many comments on your blog from your friends (Rick & Nick, John etc) have addressed their concerns for you. I am happy that you are surrounded by love and care across the world.

I am sure you were comforted by view from your beloved Barbican tower from your room made it so endearing. I am sure as well your famous flowers box are also happy you are back.

Don't fret about the birthday trip to Umbria. It will still be there for you. You will be there next year for your birthday again. And it will be better as you will have recovered and ready to take on life.

Take care.
Ta.
Peter

7/9/2026 07:37:25 pm

Thanks for these positive comments. Another resident of this building just helped me get the second Fortnum & Mason hamper etc back to my place. People in this building are too kind.

8/9/2026 03:30:12 am

Excellent. Neighbours are the best. ❤️🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

AISHA

8/9/2026 09:22:08 am

So pleased you are now back home and recovering well. You certainly have some wonderful friends who helped you during what must have been a very worrying and stressful time. The treatment you received at Bart’s sounds amazing and very intensive but thankfully saved your life. The fact that something as simple as a bout of food poisoning uncovered a serious heart problem shows how we should all take more care of ourselves and the quick action taken by your GP is very commendable.

I see that you are now a type 2 diabetic. I have had this for about 10 years now and have managed over the years to manage it very well and am now down to the lowest dose of medication needed to control it. Hopefully you will manage to do the same.

As for Mounjaro I can’t praise it enough. I have been on it for over a year now and am on the strongest dose. I have lost 5 and half stone with it. The only drawback with it is getting used to a very low calorie diet, not easy for someone who likes good food. I am sure however you will do very well on it.

I wish you a speedy recovery back to hopefully full health. Maybe now is the time to start writing a book 🤔😊.🤗

8/9/2026 09:49:10 am

Really appreciate these reassurances. Finding it all a bit overwhelming at present.

Tala

8/9/2026 10:04:57 am

What an ordeal! Glad you were able to get to the right hospital for you and to be properly taken care of. And not a moment too soon it seems!
Please continue to take good care of yourself. Good neighbors and friends are such a blessing! Get well soon! ❤️‍🩹

8/9/2026 10:14:43 am

Going to switch off this ‘phone next & focus on myself for a few hours. Thanks for the idea.

Ollie

9/9/2026 12:09:05 pm

Delighted to see you're now home, Si, and heading in the right direction under the expert guidance of your cardiologist, GP, and local nurses.

Keep getting better, and hopefully you'll be fighting fit again soon.

9/9/2026 12:26:21 pm

Very kind of you to say all this.

Nicholas link

11/9/2026 03:59:28 am

Here's a draft reply that strikes a warm, encouraging tone while gently (and amusingly) nudging Simon toward a lifestyle change:

---

Dear Simon,

What an ordeal you've been through — and what a testament to your resilience that you're already home, writing about it with such clarity and grace. From a dodgy bite in Shrewsbury to a blue-light ride through London and the brilliant hands of Professor Schilling and Dr Earley at Barts, yours has been a journey none of us would wish on anyone. Thank goodness for the NHS at its finest, for those marvellous friends who rallied round, and for your own stubborn spirit that kept fighting even when a coma was on the table.

We're so relieved your lungs and liver have bounced back, and we're rooting for those kidneys to get the memo soon too.

Now, Simon — and we say this with all the love in the world — your heart is currently operating at 22%, which is roughly the efficiency of a 1970s British Leyland on a cold morning. Normal is 58%. Even your heart is politely suggesting it's time for a bit of a service. The Mounjaro, the BMI goal, the October procedures — think of it not as a punishment but as a factory reset. A tune-up. A gentle rebrand from "Simon: The Legendary Years" to "Simon: The Even More Legendary Years."

And as for Umbria — Italy isn't going anywhere. The pasta will wait. The hills will still be there. Consider this a postponement, not a cancellation, and let it be the carrot dangling at the end of your recovery.

Take it one day at a time. Listen to the District Nurses (they sound formidable and we love them). Be kind to yourself. And know that we're all here, cheering you on — with perhaps slightly fewer late-night kebabs in your honour from now on.

Rest well, old friend. Better days are coming.

Yours Aye

N x

11/9/2026 06:17:33 am

These comments are brilliant & made me emotional. Thanks for making the time to write something so special.

Roland Fasel - President Capella Hotels & Resorts

11/9/2026 06:38:38 am

Anything u need during your recovery let me know.

11/9/2026 06:47:03 am

Very kind of you. I see MD Kostas has left The Emory.

Marie-Laure Fleury - GM Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square

11/9/2026 06:41:33 am

Sorry to read all this - pls let me know if there is anything you need.

11/9/2026 06:48:32 am

Think I have everything I need right now. Living a simpler life.

11/9/2026 07:03:47 am

It should be Four Seasons at Tower Bridge. Just updated my contact details for her. My system's mistake, not her's.

Anne - VP UK & North America & GM Pan Pacific, London Golden

11/9/2026 06:45:15 am

So pleased you are out of hospital and back at home. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!! Hope you will be back for breakfast very soon xx

11/9/2026 06:52:09 am

Will be back for breakfast on Saturday. My first meal out since I leant I am diabetic. Must practice moderation and avoid carbs.

Robert C

12/9/2026 01:08:16 pm

So glad you are feeling better. I know from first hand experience how quickly things can escalate medically from something minor into something live threatening. Do your exercises and get fitter sending you hugs

12/9/2026 01:11:47 pm

Thanks. Lost almost 20kg since I got home. The stomach problems caused by the pills. I feel fine but get tired quickly.

the luxury travel blog

A Life Threatening Illness; Intensive Care; the Brilliant Medical Staff at Barts Heart Centre and My Awesome Friends' Help & Support - Shrewsbury & London - August & September 2026

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