When Kevin Llewellyn broke his leg, it led to a blood clot and, ultimately, a massive bilateral embolism on his lungs and a small tear in his heart.
Llewellyn was diagnosed quickly at Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Lindsay and treated successfully. Then five years later, he suffered a mild stroke and landed in RMH again. Staff advised him to participate in the hospital’s cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program.
Llewellyn credits the overall improvements in his cardiac and pulmonary health to his participation in the program.
On Thursday, October 2, patients like Llewellyn and their family members will be participating in the Thankful Hearts Walk, a fundraiser for RMH’s cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program.
“It’s always a special day for the patients to come with their friends and family members and reconnect with the program coordinators,” RMH Foundation communications specialist Kim Coulter told kawarthaNOW.
Coulter added she hopes for a good turnout on October 2, along with good weather and good visits with the patients and graduates of the program.
“When they take part over weeks and months, they form bonds with each other through their shared health experiences and their encouragement as they work to regain their health,” she said. “Their efforts to support the program through the walk is a testament to their gratitude for the care they received.”
As for Llewellyn, his experience with RMH was nothing short of “amazing” according to a media release from the RMH Foundation.
“What I enjoyed was you had somebody monitoring you constantly to let you know if what you were doing wasn’t enough, too much, or just enough,” Llewellyn said. “They talk about exercise, diet, strength training and how it all affects your body.”
Overall, RMH staff provided “phenomenal” care to everyone, he said.
“I had an episode, and my heart rate went a little crazy and they reacted very quickly. They sat me down, monitored me and made it very clear: if my heart rate didn’t return to normal, I was going directly to the emergency department. I remember it was very comforting and reassuring.”
Today, Llewellyn shows his gratitude by volunteering with the program.
Ron Houlihan is another advocate of the program, having completed it twice. The first time was after chest pains kept him from hosting Downeyville’s Irish concert eight years ago. He received three new stents in his heart and completed the program faithfully because he was determined to regain his health.
Then, last fall, his chest pains returned. Houlihan was rushed from RMH to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. He had an aneurysm on his aorta and required emergency open heart surgery.
“They took the aneurysm away and put me back together again,” Houlihan said, adding that the surgeon at Sunnybrook later told him that he had never met anyone in their 80s in better condition. Houlihan attributes that to the exercises he learned while participating in the RMH program.
“Anyone who gets the opportunity to do the program should jump at it,” he said. “You really work from the moment you come in until you’re done. You really focus on the work you’re doing. They keep you busy.”
The Thankful Hearts Walk on October 2 will raise both awareness and funds for the hospital’s cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program. Participants can register on walk day from 1:30 to 2 p.m. in the RMH cafeteria. A warm-up begins at 2 p.m. and walkers set off at 2:15 p.m. for a two-kilometre walk around the hospital. There’s also an option to complete a shorter route.
Donation and pledge forms are available through the RMH cardiac rehabilitation program and the RMH Foundation. Those wishing to donate or fundraise online for the Thankful Hearts Walk can do so at justgiving.com/campaign/rmhthankfulheartswalk2025.
For more information, contact the RMH Foundation office by calling 705-328-6146 or by emailing foundation@rmh.org.
