A new father who received a heart transplant in time to watch his first child being born says the donation has allowed him to live to see "my best days".
Ross Peters was able to carry his baby Louis out of hospital, weeks after the surgery that has saved his life.
"I'm just so, so lucky," said the 27-year-old, who is relishing every moment with his 10-month-old son, even the sleepless nights.
"I've said this to a few people, without a heart transplant I wouldn't have been able to see the best days of my life. I got to be there for the birth of my child, I go to take him home still recovering.
"There were hard days in bed but I'm just the luckiest guy."
The 27-year-old was told no promises could be made that a suitable heart would be found when he felt seriously ill last Summer and was admitted to Scotland's national heart transplant centre.
The electrician was diagnosed with a serious heart defect, out of the blue when he was 21 after having no symptoms.
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He was enjoying a night out with friends when he quite suddenly felt unwell and decided to go home early. When he woke up the next day, it became clear that something was seriously wrong as he was struggling to catch his breath.
After being taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital, Ross, from Dundee, was transferred to the Scottish National Adult Heart Failure Service (SNAHFS) at NHS Golden Jubilee, where he was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, which affects the heart's ability to pump blood around the body.
The condition can result in sudden death and luckily his was caught before his heart failed completely.
He was stabilised with medication, which allowed him to live a reasonably normal life but doctors warned that a transplant would become a necessity in the future.
The 27-year-old's health deteriorated last Summer, at a precarious time, while he was shielding from Covid. He had been "on and off" the transplant list since 21 but was placed on the urgent list in June, months before his wife Shauni was due to give birth to their first child.
Mr Peters was warned he was too sick to leave the hospital and over the next two months his wife and family were only able to have restricted visits as they waited for a donor.
After just eight weeks in hospital Ross was woken by a nurse to be told one had become available and he taken down to the operating theatre for life-saving surgery.
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And after 12 weeks recovery, he was by his wife’s side as she gave birth to their first child, Louis.
Mr Peters said: “When I was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at the age of 21 I was told that I would definitely need a heart transplant, I just didn’t think it would be so soon.
“I went into the Golden Jubilee thinking it wouldn’t be that bad and was then told I was so ill I couldn’t leave the hospital and actually needed a heart transplant.
"All I could think about was being well enough to be at my wife’s side at the birth of our son."
When he was told that a heart was available he says he felt a "warm feeling go through my body as if a weight was being lifted.
"Everything went without a hitch. Everything has been magic. I feel like a new man."
Mr Peters found out that his condition is genetic and there was a 50/50 chance it could be passed on to his children but tests showed his son is not affected.
"I had never been ill in my life really, was hardly at the doctor," said Mr Peters. "It was totally undiscovered, until I woke up one morning struggling to breath. It was a huge shock.
"Cardiomyopathy is heart failure so your heart could just fail and that would be it but my heart was failing and I was lucky enough to get to hospital in time and get put on the right medication.
"That did keep me stable but I was always told that the tablets could just wear off and they did."
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He urged Scots "not to opt out" as Organ Donation Week gets underway. Under the new system, people who have no objections to organ donation are not required to sign up to the register.
"I was very lucky, I was in and out much faster than most people are. I know some people who have had multiple offers and the transplant hasn't been able to do ahead.
The thought that he might not be able to be there for his son's birth was "horrific" but spurred him on to do everything possible to be prepared for surgery.
"I had motivation, that was my goal. After the transplant I took each day at a time, step by step, working up to be able to carry the baby out of the hospital – which I did.
“I take 15 tablets everyday but I roll out of bed – I can do anything I want; nothing stops me."
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