Stuart Homer presents...

A Grand Charity Ball

26 September 2008

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The year 2008 is quite a significant one for me!

It's the year which sees both the 20th anniversary of my undergoing Open Heart Surgery and also my 40th Birthday. For some time thought about a fitting way to recognise these events, mainly the Heart Surgery, whilst raising as much valuable funding as possible for a relevant charity. (Ideally in a way that doesn't involve too much pain!)

We decided to celebrate these two milestones by hosting a Grand Charity Ball. That way we aimed to mark the event in style, and to have a great party as well.

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The event took place on Friday 26th September 2008, at the Marriott Hotel, Broughton, Preston and was a fantastic success.

All proceeds of the event are being donated to two very worthy causes: The British Heart Foundation and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). You can read more about them on 'The Charities' page and also on their own websites.

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About Me:

Born in 1968, it was when I was a toddler having a routine medical check that a 'heart murmur' was unearthed. Following some further checks, advice at the time was "carry on as normal", which I did for the next decade or so.

During teenage years I didn't really place too much connection between my heart murmur and lack of sporting ability, but following one particular cross-country run attempt I found myself referred to the brilliant Dr Derek Rowlands, who has been keeping a caring eye on me ever since.

My condition was diagnosed as Aortic Valve Stenosis, or narrowing of the Aortic Valve. This was exacerbated in my case by the valve also being misformed such that it was leaking.

The situation was monitored closely and eventually when I was 19, corrective surgery was deemed necessary, so on July 12th 1988 I underwent open heart surgery at the Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle to have an artificial Aortic Valve fitted. This prosthetic valve, made of Titanium and Carbon Fibre is expected to outlast me, and gives me the party trick of being able to be heard 'ticking' in quiet surroundings.

The only apparent effects for me are need to take Warfarin Anticoagulants for the rest of my life, to thin my blood such that it doesn't form clots on the valve. This means a blood test every few weeks to check on the dosage, which isn't a problem - things only get interesting if I happen to cut myself.

In all respects the operation has been hugely successful, literally a lifesaver for me. Twenty years on from the surgery, 2008 will be the year of my 40th birthday, my 10th wedding anniversary to my fantastic wife Debbie and also our son Nathan's fifth birthday.

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