Victor’s victory: Heartfelt thanks for a future with family
As tears fill Rosa Jamero’s eyes, she realizes how much she almost lost; grateful her husband Victor survived a rare heart condition that could have killed him.
"I am so thankful, so thankful," said an emotional Rosa.
Rosa and Victor’s struggle begins more than a decade ago in their Philippines homeland.
The couple, with two young children, noticed Victor was frequently breathless.
"I would walk from my parking lot to my apartment and I’m resting six times because of shortness of breath," said Victor.
A nurse would discover Victor had a heart problem.
"She said I had irregular beating and an enlarged heart," he said.
Victor would leave his job to stay home to care for his children. Rosa would work abroad as a nanny and send money home to support the family.
"You have to stand firm that you are now a bread winner for them," said Rosa.
Eventually, Rosa began living and working in Ottawa. The family employing and befriending her would help bring Victor and the children to live in the capital; the Jameros reuniting after eleven long years.
"When I left, my second child is only one year old. When we finally united here in Canada, she was 12. It’s very hard," said Rosa.
The hardships were far from over. Once settled in Ottawa, Victor would see doctors about his heart issue. His condition was much more serious than initially diagnosed.
Victor Jamero at home following his life-saving mitral valve surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. (Photo courtesy the Jamero family)
"They found I had a blood clot. A big blood clot," he said.
"It was a massive clot," said Dr. Thierry Mesana, President and CEO of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
"It was huge. Like the size of an apple," Mesana said.
"And it was hiding in his heart," said Rosa.
Doctors discovered Victor was living with a rare and deadly heart condition. Many were amazed that he survived the 18-hour flight from the Philippines to Ottawa.
“I have to say, I think he was extremely lucky to come here alive," Mesana said.
"When I heard that, I’m like 'wow,'" said Rosa.
"I can’t believe that you’re still here. It’s a miracle," she said.
Victor’s condition was rheumatic mitral stenosis. It was likely caused by an untreated case of rheumatic fever when Victor was young. Ongoing inflammation resulted in serious complications and damage.
"The valve has healed in a very fibrotic process due to the inflammation and doesn’t work well," said Dr. Mesana.
Fortunately, for Victor, and thousands of other patients, Dr. Mesana is world-renowned for his experience in repairing damaged mitral valves.
He removed Victor’s clot and repaired the valve, giving Victor and his family a future together.
"I really believe that the valve repair is one of the operations that can actually fix the heart forever," said Mesana.
For the Ottawa Heart Institute’s gift of life, Rosa and Victor Jamero are forever grateful.
"Here it is. A second chance. The second life that we are praying for," said Rosa.
"There are so many lives that they save. And so many lives that they change," said Victor.
Victor and Rosa(middle) with their two children, son-in-law, and two grandchildren. (Joel Haslam/CTV News Ottawa)
Dr. Mesana believes groundbreaking research is key to the UOHI’s success in treating patients. Victor’s exceptional case provided an invaluable learning opportunity for medical students studying under Dr. Mesana.
"The research of today is the treatment of tomorrow," he said.
This March marks the 10th anniversary of Victor’s life-saving surgery at the UOHI.
"It’s a big year," he said with a smile.
And Dr. Mesana believes Victor will have many more years to celebrate.
“I think Victor will live longer than me,” he laughed.
February is Heart Month. To support the UOHI, please give at februaryisheartmonth.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.