A former Irish motorcycling champion has said he is ‘one of the lucky ones’ after undergoing four heart surgeries in the space of a year.
Cookstown native and former Irish short circuit champion Baylon McCaughey had seven stents put into his heart as a result of the surgeries in 2019.
The 63-year-old was also a winner of the Cookstown 100 race in his hometown in 2012, but a number of years later found himself struggling to breathe when doing moderate exercise.
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“I found that I was getting very short of breath but I was just putting it down to me maybe being a bit unfit,” Baylon said.
“I decided to go and get it checked out with a doctor and whatever treatment I had just didn’t seem to be doing the job.
“I was out doing some indoor motocross and after three laps I was completely out of breath.”
After several tests, doctors were concerned enough about Baylon’s health to have him sent for surgery to have two stents put in his heart.
After further complications in the months ahead, he ended up having four separate surgeries and seven stents inserted.
“Nobody was more surprised than myself, I never drank or smoke and thought I was in reasonably good health.
“Thankfully after the last surgery I was back on my feet again and I have been able to get back out on the bike again, although not to the same level I was at before.
“I really believe I was one of the lucky ones and I’ll always appreciate the treatment that I got.”
As thanks for support he received from doctors, nurses and NI Chest Heart and Stroke, Baylon designed and sold lapel badges in the shape of his old race crash helmet, raising more than £3,000.
“I am so thankful and grateful to the doctors, consultants and nurses in both Antrim Area Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and not forgetting the Rehabilitation team in Magherafelt, for helping me through what was, let’s say, a rather scary time for me,” he adds.
“During my times in the hospital, I received seven stents, so one can understand how appreciative I am today to all those who helped me.
“As someone who loves motorcycling. I thought it would be a novel way of raising funds for Chest Heart and Stroke, so a badge was designed and sold, mostly online.
“No-one was more surprised than myself when I managed to raise a total of £3,405. It may not be much, but if it can help Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke in any way, then I am more than delighted to have played a small part.”
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