The first week of May each year is Healthy Heart Week, a timely reminder to all to be aware of our heart health and start the conversation about heart health and take positive steps to reduce heart disease. Of course, there is always a week or month designated to meaningful causes in Australia and around the world. These days you could almost celebrate on any given day of the year which includes fundraising events related to health and wellbeing, general community awareness and commemorative days, weeks, and months of the year.

However important many of these events are, it’s simply not possible to celebrate them all. But upon reading a recent story about Dubbo local, Susie Webster, around Healthy Heart Week, we felt very compelled to share her story with Dubbo Photo News readers. We thank Susie for allowing us to present her story.

On May 3, 2022, just over 12 months ago Susie was feeling unwell and went home from work to lie down, when Susie woke, she felt fine, but she decided to have the following day off work and rest a little. Around 5.30pm that afternoon she was sitting on her bed and bent over to pick something up off the floor. “Straight away I got the same feeling and was breathless and felt like I was choking. My Fitbit said my heart rate was 188,” Susie said. Susie thought she’d lie down again and then decided to visit the Emergency Department (ED) at Dubbo Hospital to have herself checked out.

Once at the ED, Susie felt much better. A nurse took her in and started an electrocardiogram (ECG). “The nurse took me straight in and did an ECG and said you have had a heart attack. I was in total disbelief, “Susie exclaimed. Blood tests followed and confirmed the ECG diagnosis.

Hospital staff took Susie’s full family history, alerting staff to the fact that her brother, Warwick Rapley and uncles had passed away from having heart attacks. “This was the start of my journey. As they took me up to the heart ward there were all these signs saying it’s Heart Awareness Week,” Susie remembers.

I had a heparin drip and medication. Susie was told she was to be sent to Orange for an angiogram on her heart. The results of the angiogram confirmed her left artery was partially blocked and right artery fully blocked and amazingly had already started to make its own new pathway around the blockage. “Ï spent 9 days in Orange and was transferred via Royal Flying Doctors Service to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) in Sydney,” Susie said.

More angiograms commenced on Susie and decisions needed to be made to whether she would undergo stents being placed in her arteries or bi-pass surgery. “Through all this I actually felt totally well in myself and said to my family, I am not that sick. How does a Vegan, non-smoker, non-drinker, frequent exerciser, and a person who practices healing end up here?” Susie wondered.

Another angiogram was needed to determine the pressure in Susie’s arteries across the front of her heart. Once this was completed it was decided that Susie actually needed major triple by-pass surgery to her heart. Other tests conducted included lung tests, ultrasounds to her neck and checks of her veins to make sure all other parts of Susie’s bodily functions were working as they should. “I thought, sh*t this is really serious,” Susie exclaimed. It turned out that Susie was a perfect candidate for by-pass surgery. “Then it was just a waiting game. But I did try to push it as this heart business was just not on my schedule. I wanted to get home and I had a business to run,” Susie said.

Susie’s twin sister, Sharon Allan came to Sydney to be with her, as well as her daughter and daughters’ partner, and ex-husband Trevor. Susie and her sister Sharon watched videos to help them understand the procedure which Susie was about to undertake. Many who know Susie, understand that she is a very spiritual person, she attests much of her strength during this difficult time came from the large Reiki circle of friends she has. “I was sent much distant healing by many Reiki circles and friends. l laughed and chatted all the way down to the operating theatre and I said to the staff that I will float into the theatre; from all the healing I had been sent. The nurses couldn’t believe how upbeat and calm I was. They hadn’t seen it before,” Susie explained.

Susie’s surgery commenced on May 27, 2022, she had a quadruple by-pass, one more than was originally planned. “I came out of my anaesthetic and all I wanted to do was get the tube out of my throat. Seeing the video of what would happen was totally different when you’re going through it. I was certainly not a chatter box after that. I had 2 days in the intensive care unit then back to the heart ward for 3 days then 5 days in Sydney with my daughter until I felt strong enough to travel home by car,” Susie said.

Since Susie’s surgery she has learnt to have patience with herself, “take it day to day. Know what my body doesn’t like with regard to medication. I learnt it’s ok to not be so bloody interdependent and say yes to help.”

Alarmingly, Susie also learnt that her vegan diet was being detrimental to her heart health. “If you’re going to be vegan, you really must be vigilant and supplement what you aren’t getting. Deal with your stress. Say no when your cup is empty as you have nothing to give and it’s also ok to put yourself first and not feel guilty, “Susie explained.

Since her surgery, Susie has started a Healthy Point Program. She has returned to the gym and walks every other day. She has also changed her diet and takes good quality nutrients to better her overall health. She’s been taking life a little slower but is now, just 12 months on, back in full form and feeling healthier than ever before.

Susie’s message to others is simple, “don’t ignore the signs, listen to your body. Check your family history. You don’t have to be overweight, be a drinker or smoke. Prevention is so imperative as it’s much better than going through open heart surgery. The operation is not what anyone wants to go through. Choose optimal health. Rest when you need it. Educate yourself on all levels and what you put into your body. Balance mind, body, and soul. Emotional stress is as dangerous as the wrong food,” Susie said.

And Susie’s last word is that she would like to, “thank the nurses, Doctors, surgeons, all my family and friends. My truly amazing staff at Red Earth Healing Centre, Debbie Rapley, Grace Jackson and Maree Cheney for looking after the business in my 3 month’s absence. To my twin sister, Sharon and her husband Graham for their constant love, support and caring for me.”