Shelagh Ross
I was born in
At age two I underwent a right Blalock-Taussig shunt procedure and at 8 years old I had 9 hours of open-heart surgery in what is referred to as a "complete repair".
When I turned 18 I was referred to an "adult" cardiologist and saw him annually for the next 14 years. During that time, I graduated from university, worked full-time, traveled, got married, and had a healthy baby. Out of the blue at age 32 I experienced sustained ventricular tachycardia and was cardioverted.
Doctors at the Toronto Congenital Cardiac diagnosed a very leaky pulmonary valve, and severely dilated right ventricle with severely reduced function. I underwent my second open-heart surgery to replace my damaged valve with a porcine valve.
Since that second surgery I've been healthy and active. I work as a writer and website manager in
I helped found the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance simply because I want to help others with CHD. I want to do what I can to make sure we are all well taken care of, and that kids born today with CHD have the support and resources they'll need when they become adults.
Please support the CCHA so we can continue to live productive, healthy lives.
