Heart patient’s fundraising thank you
Date of release: 30 January 2024
A grateful dad who underwent major open-heart surgery has vowed to keep raising money for the Wolverhampton hospital which saved his life.
Jon Madden (right) with son Hughie
Jon Madden was 37 when he was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve 12 years ago, after being tested following his father’s diagnosis with the same condition at 70.
This is a problem present from birth in which the aortic valve only has two flaps instead of the usual three, which can cause problems later in life.
After his diagnosis, Jon was told by Consultant Cardiologist Professor James Cotton at New Cross Hospital that he would need an aortic valve replacement in seven years’ time.
The father-of-two, from Wolverhampton, said: “I have always been into my fitness and had no symptoms of a heart problem, so I was very shocked to receive the diagnosis.
“I had to go back to the Heart and Lung Centre at New Cross Hospital every 12 months for a check-up. As Professor Cotton predicted, when I was 44 my valve changed dramatically, and I was told I had senile aortic calcification and I needed an aortic valve replacement urgently.”
Aortic calcification is where calcium deposits form on the valve with age, preventing it opening and closing properly. An aortic valve replacement involves removing a faulty or damaged valve and replacing it with a new valve made from synthetic materials or animal tissue.
The 49-year-old car salesman added: “Nikos Nikolaidis, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, told me I needed the surgery as soon as possible or I would not survive longer than a few months.
Jon Madden (left) with son Hughie and friend Craig Thomas
“Before I knew I had a date for the surgery – January 15th 2019. I was very nervous the night before but the operation was a success and saved my life, as I only had three to six months left to live.
“The surgery, care, physiotherapy, and aftercare I received was exceptional. The service I had was amazing, all the staff was superb from start to finish and so helpful.
“As well as the brilliant life-saving surgery I am so grateful for, I also had great aftercare by attending an eight-week physiotherapy programme ran by Chris Scordis, Specialist Exercise Physiologist and Lead for Cardiac Rehabilitation.
“Without Chris I wouldn’t have gained my confidence back so quickly and I would have had a slower recovery. Thanks to Chris I was back at work in three and a half months and feeling lots better.”
To say thank you, Jon completed a fundraising walk over Carding Mill Valley and The Long Mynd in Shropshire with his nine-year-old son Hughie and friend Craig Thomas on 20 January.
Jon said: “It was very cold and icy at the top but we completed the eight and a half mile walk in about five hours.”
Amanda Winwood, RWT Charity Development Manager, said: “We are so pleased to hear of Jon’s positive experience at our Heart and Lung Centre and are very grateful he has chosen to fundraise for us.
“Thank you very much to Jon, Hughie and Craig for all your support and help to raise money for our staff and future patients using the centre.”
To donate go to his JustGiving page
ENDS
- For further information, please email amy.downward@nhs.net
