How Lisa Simmik's Cardiac Journey Makes Her Appreciate Closer-to-Home Cardiovascular Surgery
Published Monday, October 18, 2021
by Graham Strong
Lisa Simmik has more experience than most with cardiac problems – and the travel away from Thunder Bay that goes along with it.
Since the age of 40, Lisa has had numerous angiograms, angioplasties, bypass surgery, and other procedures. That first event 20 years ago was dismissed initially as indigestion. Later, an angiogram found that she had a 100% blockage in her main artery to the heart with 98% and 96% blockages in two others.
“The hardest thing for me was that I was a single mother at the time,” Lisa said. “I had a 13-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son, and you start wondering, what’s going to happen now?”
Back then, Thunder Bay didn’t have angioplasty services, and Lisa had to travel to Ottawa for care. Three months after her angioplasty in Ottawa, the blockages were back. It would become a terrifying pattern.
“The doctors in Ottawa said that I had a choice: I could become a cardiac cripple or I could live life. I decided then and there that I was 40, and I was not going to sit and watch TV for the rest of my life. I was not going to let it keep me down.”
Lisa saw firsthand how important closer-to-home care is. In 2015, she was able to stay in Thunder Bay for her angioplasty. Now, thanks to the Our Hearts at Home Cardiovascular Campaign, patients will also be able to get cardiac surgical services.
“When I heard they were going to have full cardiac surgery services here I thought, ‘Yes! That’s what patients need. That’s what families need.’ Now everything will be in one place, right here at home.”
Families are more on her mind lately. Thankfully, Lisa hasn’t had any issues since 2015. She is living a healthy life, taking care of herself, and of course always watching for the signs that all might not be well. But Lisa’s two children are now older, and she is starting to wonder how much the genetics of her condition were passed onto her children. Her daughter has already been in Emerge once with chest pains. Even though she was still in her 20s at the time, Lisa wanted to make sure it wasn’t the same type of heart condition.
“It turned out to be something completely different, but it’s the first thing that goes through your mind,” Lisa said.
Prevention is the best medicine. But closer-to-home cardiac care is a clear second. That’s why Lisa wants to bring life-saving cardiac care services like cardiovascular surgery to Thunder Bay.
You can help Lisa and all cardiac patients in Northwestern Ontario by donating to the Our Hearts at Home Cardiovascular Campaign. Even as you are reading this, doctors and Hospital staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre are planning a full cardiovascular care program including surgery right here in Thunder Bay. That means fewer people travelling for care, fewer family disruptions, and more support for patients when they need it most.
Please give online at www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/donate or call our Donation Centre at (807) 345-4673. Together, for better cardiac care!