Born in the right place at the right time

My name's Shelagh and I was born in Toronto in 1962 and diagnosed with tetralogy of fallot shortly after birth. In 1964 I had the Blalock-Taussig shunt which kept me going until I could have open heart surgery at age 8, in 1970. Up until age 8 I was blue, tired, cold, and had bad headaches. Fortunately for me, I was the youngest of 4 kids so I was basically treated (and mistreated) as a normal child, at least by my siblings. I was operated on by Dr.  William Mustard and after 9 hours of surgery came out pink and on the way to a pretty normal, healthy and happy life. Since 1970 I've been very active. I work, play sports, walk for miles with my dog, have a supportive husband, and a son who's now 19(!) At age 34 I had a pulmonary valve replacement (operated on by Dr. Bill Williams-thank you!). Fourteen years later I'm still feeling great and hoping for the best. For the past 6 years I've been the VP of the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance and am trying to help other Canadians with congenital heart defects. I am thankful I was born in Toronto near the Hospital for Sick Children when life-saving surgery was possible, and again thankful that the adult congenital clinic at the Toronto General Hospital was there, full of experts, when I need it in 2004. Thank you to all the congenital heart surgeons who have helped me get this far!