KEY POINTS:
Shan Inglis' voice trembled and her eyes welled with tears as she spoke yesterday of the week in which her husband, Manukau City Mayor Len Brown, had a four-hour heart-bypass operation.
Ms Inglis was speaking after Mr Brown had a heart attack while making an opening speech on stage at the Pacific Music Awards in Manukau last Saturday.
She said Mr Brown had recovered well after major surgery.
"The first thing he said was 'I love you Shan'.
"Today I am very pleased to say that Len is off the critical list. He is stable and improving and has a smile."
After his collapse Mr Brown was rushed to Middlemore Hospital and later transferred to Auckland Hospital for surgery.
Flanked by Deputy Mayor Gary Troup and chief executive Leigh Auton, Ms Inglis said the support she and the couple's three daughters had received from extended family and the public had been overwhelming.
"Len's dad and his sisters have been by my side, and it's kind of nice to be with people who feel the same as you in this traumatic time.
"I know that many people have been praying for Len's recovery and we are humbled by the flowers, cards, letters, prayers and emails that have flooded in.
"I believe those prayers have been answered," she said.
Ms Inglis said her husband's passion for Manukau City and its people made him very popular in the community and he had always been a hard-working person.
Not being able to work straight away would be difficult for Mr Brown.
"He's got huge determination and stubbornness," she said.
"Not getting back to work - that's going to be hard for Len but he's also an intelligent man.
"Len recognises that the most significant thing now is to get well."
