Family support crucial for recovery

 

Mr. Owen Davey thought that everything was working out according to plan. After he retired from the public service, he and his wife Marilyn moved to Gagetown in central New Brunswick. They have a gorgeous view of the Saint John River, blue jays come regularly to feed in their garden and deer are regular visitors throughout the year. "In February 2001, I went to feed my blue jays and that's when I had my first heart attack. It destroyed a lot of my left ventricle," says Mr. Davey.

He required angioplasty. In June 2001 he had another massive heart attack.

"This time, they implanted an internal defibrillator," he explains.

Defibrillators, pacemakers and complex surgeries are possible because of years of heart and stroke research. At the same time, public education about signs and symptoms and risk factors for developing heart disease and stroke are equally important.

Mr. Davey says he knows that his heart attacks did not come out of blue. "I never recognized the symptoms, it just never clicked," he says. Ms. Davey, a former nurse, adds: "It's denial. A lot of people are afraid and apprehensive about recognizing the signs for what they are."

Owen started walking about five kilometers a day. In 2003, it became apparent that his heart was getting weaker.

"He could not help me dry the dishes because he could not lift a plate," explains Ms. Davey. At that time their children placed a bench halfway down the driveway - their father was not able to walk those 30 or so steps without pausing to rest.

In 2004, Mr. Davey had two more heart attacks. He was also diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

A heart transplant became the only real option left to him. "My youngest daughter married recently," he says. "Last fall, I did not think I would make their wedding."

On December 3, 2004 a suitable heart became available and Mr. Davey was taken into the operating room. He attached a photograph of his grandchildren next to his bed - that was the first thing he wanted to see when and if he opened his eyes again.

"These operations are scary, but doable. I am just starting my life after the transplant," he says. "It's amazing now. It's nice to be able to pick up my grandchildren. It's nice to wake up in the morning."

He had three surgeries in three weeks, battled a sternum infection and a viral infection which attacked his bone marrow. Immunosupressants used to prevent organ rejection also weakened his body's ability to fight off infections. In the end, he managed to get through all of it. His wife, three daughters and four grandchildren provided care, motivation and inspiration to face the difficulties and his fears. "A huge part of recovery is family support. I don't know how you could get through it by yourself. I know there are people who do, but I don't know how," he says. He also praises his community and neighbours who helped in every way they could.

Mr. Davey says that the emotional support he gets from his family was and still is crucial for his recovery. The issues he is grappling with are not easy. "The hardest thing is getting around the fact that somebody had to die so that I could live."

The bench his children installed on the driveway is still there. It reminds him not to take anything for granted.

Mr. Davey decided to share his story and his experiences in order to encourage people to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and to support heart and stroke research. He also encourages people to consider donating their organs.

"Heart disease is such a large problem in the community. We all know somebody who is affected by it," he says. "It's important to let people know about these kinds of life saving surgeries. That they are possible."

Mr. Davey donated his heart for research purposes.