Below is the story of Sally Withey who attended the rehab in March 2026:
“I woke up on 2nd Jan 2026 with a pain in my shoulder that I decided was just the usual aches and pains from sleeping soundly in a bad position. However the pain travelled to my chest which I have only ever been able to describe as like having a dull headache in the middle of my chest. After getting on with the business of the day – walking dogs, taking Christmas decorations down in the village hall followed by brunch with a friend – that dull ache had not gone away so I phoned 111 in early afternoon.
After the assessment, an ambulance was dispatched and I was eventually taken to Stoke Mandeville for bloods. I was still not convinced it was a heart attack but that was the eventual diagnosis and I was delivered by ambulance to Wycombe hospital. I transferred to the cardiac ward Saturday afternoon to be monitored until Monday morning when I would have an angiogram. First down, on the morning Man Utd sacked their manager, and fortunately a stent was not required but treatment was via the ‘balloon.’ Echocardiograms had also found a thrombus so I was discharged with a big bag of medication, relieved to be going home with the clear message that I needed to make some lifestyle changes – the New Year’s resolution had already included heathier eating and more exercise. This was non-negotiable now!
I was invited to the Cardiac Rehab ward in early February where the lovely Lisa went through everything with me and then Nicky did the beep test. I had always been active – a 2-3 time a week squash player until Covid days when I never got back on court due to work and home commitments. So I was keen to get exercising again but obviously anxious about doing so without risking another heart attack. I happily signed up to the 6 week exercise class and started in March – with up to 20 people each week, and a new group starting each week, I was impressed that Nicky remembered seeing me back in Feb! I really enjoyed getting moving again, supported superbly by a wonderful team!
I noticed the Hearts & Souls donation board when waiting for the echocardiogram back in January, and then benefitting from the exercise programme, I nominated Hearts & Souls to receive the proceeds from our annual village party this summer. I am a councillor on Ellesborough Parish Council and every summer we host a party for the parishioners. It is free of charge to attend with the BBQ and cakes/hot drinks also free – we only make a charge at the bar and guests can make a donation for food and hot drinks. So once expenses are covered, we always donate the proceeds to charity. This year I asked for it to go to Hearts & Souls as I know of several parishioners who have had cardiac problems – sadly not all of us have had a happy outcome – so felt it was a worthy cause to donate to and was pleased we could donate £600″
Are there any other patients who have been through the rehab programme who would like to share their own story on this web site? This can be done anonymously, please send an email to: [email protected]
