Presenter Emma Willis has announced that she had surgery recently after it was discovered that she had a hole in her heart. She has now spoken about the prodecure and the support that she’s received from her husband Matt Willis.
Emma, 49, revealed that she had keyhole heart surgery in a post on Instagram last night. The former Celebrity Big Brother host shared with her followers yesterday that she had the operation just “a few weeks ago” after receiving her diagnosis following “investigations” into her health last year.
She shared a series of photos on the platform that showed her in hospital. Emma was joined by her husband Matt, 41 – with whom she shares her three children – in some of the photos. The couple, who have been married since 2008, appeared together in two selfies that were in the post.
In the caption, alongside discussing her health, Emma paid tribute to Busted member Matt. She suggested that he has been “absolutely incredible” throughout the experience and she went on to tell fans this week: “[He] never left my side.”
Emma wrote in the caption of her post: “A big humungous THANK YOU to the team at the Royal Brompton Hospital for their care and support. A few weeks ago, I had keyhole heart surgery, which feels very strange to write, and even stranger when I say it out loud. From investigations last year, to diagnosis and then surgery, they were absolutely incredible. As was @mattjwillis who never left my side.
“Turns out, I’ve been pottering around for 48 years blissfully unaware I had a hole in my heart. Isn’t it bonkers what’s happening in our bodies that we have no idea about…”
She continued: “What blows my mind even more is the wonders of modern medicine, and the spectacular people that save, fix and help us every single day. Can you imagine what it must feel like to have a pair of hand that can do that job?! They are the real superstar…”
The Voice host went on to name people whom she had met through the experience. She wrote about their support and expressed gratitude for her surgeon.
She said: “A few of those people are Dr Alexander Lyon who investigated like a true super sleuth. Professor Wei Li, echocardiogram extraordinaire. Catrina, Carl and Tim who kept me at ease and humoured me when they were putting me to sleep.
“Marcus, Janet, Jayne, Hannah and Reem who monitored me at various points. Paulette, who was always up for a chat, gave great hugs, and loves a cinnamon slice as much as I do!
“There was a lovely woman with me in recovery but I was so out of it I can’t remember her name (so so sorry) and my surgeon, Dr Ee Ling Heng… She was recommended as ‘a spectacular pair of hands’, but my god, she’s that and so much more. She has an ease and warmth that made me feel instantly comfortable all whilst being incredible professional and informative.”
Emma concluded: “I ask a million questions, and she answered them with the patience of a saint. I knew as soon as we met that she was the woman I wanted poking around in my heart. Thank you Ee Ling, you’re one in a trillion.”
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