02/12/2026
The minimally invasive bypass was scheduled for Monday due to a cancellation (normally the wait would have been a few days longer). I remained in hospital at the Thunder Bay Regional Sciences Centre until I was transferred to the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in Toronto by air ambulance on Saturday, accompanied by my spouse, a former colleague, and a flight paramedic.
My family; 3 adult children, our spouses, grandchild, mother and brother were as surprised as I, but, as always, supportive.
So, what’s a minimally invasive bypass? The surgery involves an incision between ribs, stretching the area to retrieve a mammary vessel (instead of a leg) and using it to bypass the artery that is compromised. The heart is not stopped to be placed on a machine and the sternum is not sawn open.
The anticipation was a very emotional time for me. As a clinician, I knew this was the best option. If I didn’t have the surgery, I would likely have a massive heart attack and die, as the blocked vessel is known as the “widow/widower maker.” Even though the surgery is minimally invasive, there was still a chance it could be converted to open heart or I could die. I was staring my mortality straight on. Still I had faith that whatever the outcome, it was going to be okay.
Learn about my bypass surgery experience in part 5 of my heart story!
