Grandmother of two has heart transplant following two decades of suffering

Julie4 (Pictured: Julie Bushell) A grandmother of two nearly lost her life after suffering from problems with her heart for over two decades. Julie Bushell, a 47 year old from Castle Bromwich, first suffered heart palpations 15 years ago. Following initial tests and treatment, Julie managed to control the illness, called dilated cardiomyopathy, with medication. Several years later, the devoted mum of two suffered a stroke, which devastatingly caused paralysis and loss of speech. She said: “I had to learn to do everything again – how to walk, how to talk. There are still things I can’t do now, silly things like closing the car door or doing up my own bra; the kinds of things people take for granted every day. I lost weeks of my life and that is time that I will never get back.” Six years following a stroke, Julie was dealt a further blow as her health rapidly deteriorated. In October 2014, urged to see a doctor by her family, tests at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham revealed Julie was in desperate need of a heart transplant. “I lost so much weight that by the time I was in hospital I weighed just seven stone. Hearing that I needed a heart transplant made me break down. All I could think about was my children; I wasn’t ready to leave them.” Julie’s partner of two years, Andy Hewitt, said: “Before the test results Julie was lying in bed waiting to die, her life was that fragile. It was terrifying but we knew she needed the transplant to stay alive. She had pressure on her lungs making it hard to breathe, and her kidney and liver were failing.” Julie   (Pictured: Julie Bushell and Andy Hewitt) Julie added: “I wrote a list of things I wanted for my funeral. I really thought I was going to die.” After six tense weeks on the emergency transplant list, and having been told by doctors she had just weeks left to live, Julie was given the transplant she desperately needed. Two weeks following the operation, which took place at the QE, Julie was allowed to return home to her friends and family. “It was a miracle” she said. “Apart from bruising there were no other side effects. It wasn't long before I was back on my feet.” Julie3 (Pictured: Julie Bushell)  Now the brave survivor has set her sights on raising as much money as possible for QEHB Charity’s Heart and Lung Transplant fund at the QE. She said: “I’m selling sweets at craft fairs all over the West Midlands, and it’s great fun! Andy and I are also holding a Valentine’s dance on 13th February 2016, to raise extra funds. We want to raise as much money as possible to give back to the hospital that saved my life, and to help other patients like me in the future.” The dance, which will include a raffle, auction and disco, will take place at Maitland Hall Social Club, and tickets cost £3. To purchase your ticket please contact Andy on 07715642400 or to donate to the Heart and Lung Transplant fund at QEHB Charity please go to www.qehb.org/donate-form

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