As a grateful nation shows its appreciation for those who risked their lives in war, World War II veteran Hugh Miller is extending his thanks to a doctor who gave him a new lease on life.
Miller, who served in the military for 35 years, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure at 91-years-old. His exercise routine slowed and his ability to breathe deteriorated. Being too fragile for open-heart surgery, he knew he may not make it to 92.
His fate changed when pioneering heart surgeon Dr. John Webb agreed to replace Miller's aortic valve using a revolutionary technique.
"With this new procedure we have a compressed valve we can put through a blood vessel in the leg and steer it up inside the heart without even opening the chest. So it's much less invasive and easier on patients," Webb said.
Once threaded into place, the valve expands and takes over for the old one.
"Without this operation I don't think he was going to live very long, and he knew that. But it worked out the other way, which we are most thankful for," Miller's wife Pat told CTV News.
Miller's age and the cost of the heart procedure were never questioned.
"He deserves to be treated with respect, to have an option to live a full life, and he got that," Webb added.
Miller is especially grateful for Webb's actions.
"When someone gives you life, you have to be very careful with those words. So I have thanked him," Miller said.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty
