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My story of a Heart Transplant
by
Roy Bates
Member of The Northern Ireland Transplant Association
Roy Bates on his beloved boat in Bangor Marina
"The Gift of Life"
My first signs of heart trouble appeared when I was 35 years old in 1977. I had what I was told had been a silent heart attack. I then developed a severe angina problem which was helped by taking medication.
Later, in November 1982, I had another very bad angina attack. I was taken into the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in Belfast in January 1983 where I underwent a treadmill and dye test, ECHO tests under stress and an angiogram. I was told that I needed quadruple bypass surgery immediately or I would be dead in a few months as my heart was only working at 50% capacity.
After my bypass operation I recovered well and had about twelve years painfree and returned to work. I worked in the family's wholesale fruit and vegetable business. Then I started to get angina pain again. I was put back on more medication which helped some, but gradually I started getting worse and the medication was not helping as much as before. Then on 22nd December 1997 I went into acute heart failure. I was taken into the RVH where after more tests and an angiogram I was told I needed further bypass surgery as my grafts had become blocked again.
My Consultant Cardiologist was very optimistic that the operation could be carried out but after showing my results to three heart surgeons each of them refused to operate because of the risk. One of the surgeons visited me and explained that because of the scar tissue and the extra strain, also the fact that now my heart was only pumping at 11% of its volume, I was too high a risk. I was devastated!!
Thankfully my Cardiologist refused to give up and contacted the Freeman Transplant Unit in Newcastle upon Tyne England who took me in to be assessed for transplant. By this time I was in a wheelchair and very low.
 After more intensive tests everything looked as if I was going to be recommended for a transplant and be on the active list which meant I would be transplanted as quickly as possible. Then on the last day of my assessment the head of the transplant team said that because of better facilities and more advanced technology in the Freeman he would attempt my bypass surgery which would give me another 4-5 years before needing transplantation. I was then sent back home to wait for my operation.
 A year after my first assessment I got another call on my pager and then a phone call to check that I had no infections or medical problems. I was again taken to the Freeman Hospital via ambulance and private plane where I was again prepared for my operation. At about 11 pm on 13th March 1999 I was given my gift heart. I awoke about two days later and felt great. No pain or anything. I was buzzing and couldn't wait to start my recovery programme.
Eleven days later I developed severe infection in my chest wound and around my new heart. I was again taken to theatre where I was reopened and an irrigation system inserted into my chest. This consisted of lots of tubes and drains and I was like this for a few days. Then my kidneys stopped working and my lungs filled with fluid. My body swelled up and all my organs were closing down. The nurses later told me that they had been calling me "The Michelin Man". I was given blood transfusions and many types of drugs then eventually my kidneys began to function again and I lost nearly three stone of fluid from my body. I was starting to feel better when the infection in my chest returned. The doctor who I had come to rely on treated the infection and cleaned the wounds daily until the infection had cleared up.
After that I went with my wife, Barbara, who was always by my side and who nursed me the whole time, to a flat in the hospital grounds where I slowly recovered. I attended a clinic and a gym every day to build myself up. After about three weeks I was allowed to go home.
Three months later the infection in my wound returned. I was taken to the Freeman Hospital where Dr Jagan Rau again opened the top of my chest, cleared out the infection and removed one of the wires which was holding my breastbone together as this was the root of the infection. The following morning I was on my way home again.
Since that I haven't looked back! I can now walk for miles and enjoy my boating hobby.
I will be on medication for the rest of my life. Some of the drugs have made me diabetic but this is a small price to pay for life.
I can never express my gratitude enough, for the dedication of Mr Dark and the transplant team, also the nursing staff and all the other staff in the Freeman Hospital. I will always be in their debt.
And to “Annie” whose heart I now have, and her family. Her gift is the most precious of all.
There are so many people still waiting for organs, but so few wonderful people are on the donor list. Please help someone to discover like I have , how great life really is.
Join the organ donor register now!
ROY BATES
NORTHERN IRELAND TRANSPLANT
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