My name is John Page.  I am 74 years old and have been married to Stella for 52 years.  We are Islanders and have a joint family history in farming.    In February 2005 at the age of 69, I had a heart attack.   Having always maintained an active and healthy lifestyle it came as a huge shock.

I was taken by ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital, IOW where I was assessed, and later informed I would need to have a procedure called an Angioplasty.    This surgery could not be carried out at St Mary’s so I was transferred to the Royal Sussex County Hospital Brighton.   The procedure was explained fully and I had two stents inserted into an artery.   The following day I was collected by a neighbour and returned home feeling very frightened and extremely vulnerable.

Having heard about the CCU clinic at the Riverside Centre in Newport, I attended looking for reassurance and guidance.    We were warmly welcomed by members of the team who immediately reassured us about the future.   I continued at the centre for the next six weeks undergoing a managed programme of light exercise fully supervised at all times.   It was strongly recommended that I should carry on with exercise classes and living in Newport, I have joined the Isle of Wight Heart Care Club and attend the Fitness Factory.

Although an active farmer all my life, I was never one to go to the gym or participate in any sort of sporting activity.   I find going to the gym beneficial and very reassuring that the exercise programme is overseen by a qualified instructor who continues to monitor me.   Friendships have been made that I am sure will be maintained for many years to come.

In October 2008 my wife and I were asked to consider becoming part of a team of volunteers offering a mentor service to heart patients and their partners or carers.  We received training and the service started in January 2009.   To date, we have helped many people come to terms with the changes that having a heart event bring to your life.

Contact can be made on the phone, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30 pm.   The mentoring sessions are offered at St Mary’s Hospital, CCU, Tuesday and Friday afternoons between 2.30 and 3.30 pm.   We talk to patients that are frightened, as I was, and reassure them that things will improve and that they will be well cared for, and later come to enjoy the exercise and friendship as we have.    We enjoy talking with people and it is our way of thanking the NHS and all the Doctors and Nurses of the CCU for all they did for me.   I feel I would have benefited from such a service when I was going through my own illness.   I now live life to the full, I enjoy gardening, walking holidays, playing petanque in the IOW league and visiting our children and grandchildren who live in Sussex.

Don’t stress about it – talk about it.

For further information and support from the Mentor Team, ring the helpline on 07531 779 337