• Aimee developed pain in her back and hips at the age of 20 which fluctuated in severity. After some investigation she was diagnosed with reactive arthritis and was treated with steroids, painkillers and antibiotics. It took about 6 months for her to be able to be relatively pain free and continue with her life. She was advised it could occasionally return and to keep active.

• Aimee was very fit and followed the advice, doing circuit training and other regular exercise. She also took lessons in burlesque dancing and performed in Charity shows. Despite her early diagnosis she coped remarkably well and the impact on her life was minimal.

• In 2014 Aimee started complaining of pain in her back and hips again. An appointment with a Rheumatologist diagnosed a heart murmur. Having never been diagnosed with any heart problems she immediately underwent more tests. The results showed that her heart was twice the size it should have been, she was therefore admitted to hospital that same day.

• Initially it was thought she may have Endocarditis however blood cultures all came back negative and eventually they realised her Aortic valve was failing.  Aimee was transferred to the nearest specialised cardio-thoracic centre. Once again, she had lots of scans, and it was found Aimee also had an aortic aneurysm.

• Aimee had her first open heart surgery in Oct 14 to replace her aortic valve and repair the aortic aneurysm. She recovered quite quickly. However, two days after discharge she was having night sweats and was advised to go to the local Cardio-Thoracic unit. She was admitted to a medical ward and again checked for Endocarditis which was negative. The heart and aorta were recovering well and after two weeks was diagnosed with Takayasu Arteritis, a rare vasculitis that attacks the major blood vessels. Aimee was discharged on various medications and steroids and had regular bloods and outpatient appointments locally to keep an eye on what was going on with the vasculitis inflammation.

• The lack of action and concerning attitude from the local specialists over the next two years was a worry and Aimee contacted the British expert on Takayasu Arteritis, Professor Mason, at Hammersmith Hospital. He agreed to see Aimee in July 17 and redid all previous tests, within a few days she had a call from his team asking her to go into the hospital to have more scans and to see a Cardio-Thoracic surgeon.

• She attended and was told the valve was breaking down again and the repair sleeve on the aorta was also failing and she needed more surgery.

• On 9 Oct 17 Aimee underwent major heart surgery for the second time. The aortic aneurysm sleeve had fallen apart in the surgeon's hand, and he expressed concerns as to Aimee’s chances of surviving the procedure.

• After surgery her wound was left open in case of bleeding, and she went back to the Operating Theatre the next day to be stitched and wired up again. It was touch and go for several days and she was kept in an induced coma and ventilator for a week to allow her body to recover. Aimee was in cardiac intensive care for two weeks and hospital in total for four weeks. She was strong willed and that got her through the trauma.

• Professor Mason took charge of Aimee’s care and thought the problems were more likely caused by a very rare complication associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis and not Takayasu Arteritis as previously diagnosed. He arranged for her to be put on an anti-TNF medication that she injected weekly. This medication must be funded by the local NHS as it is very expensive, so she continued to be monitored locally every three months with Professor Mason having overall control on her treatment and seeing her every six months.

• In February 2020 Aimee had a routine appointment for a cardiac ultrasound and her cardiologist was concerned about the speed the blood seemed to be going through her heart. It was arranged for her to have a Trans Oesophageal scan (ultrasound scan which you swallow, and they hold it near the heart to see closely what’s going on).

• Her appointment was arranged for 26 Mar 20, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the country going into lockdown this was postponed. She was assured as soon as they started up again she would be contacted. This did not happen, and Professor Mason arranged for a cardiac MRI early December 2020 which didn’t produce any concerning results.

• On 24 Dec 20 Aimee tested positive for COVID-19 which was a real worry due to her condition but thankfully her symptoms did not appear severe, and she seemed recover after a couple of weeks.

• On 19 Apr 21 Aimee woke in the early hours unable to breathe and she was taken to hospital, via ambulance she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Oedema and heart failure.

• They cleared the fluid but were not sure exactly what was happening, the valve was not working properly again but there were no immediate serious concerns.

• Aimee and the family wanted her transferred to her team in Hammersmith and after a number of phone calls and emails to her cardiologist in Hammersmith and from the consultant locally.It was agreed she would be transferred and while she was waiting for a bed she was allowed one visitor for an hour a day.

• On 29 Apr 21 Aimee was finally transferred to Hammersmith Hospital. Aimee was very poorly at this stage and the two-and-a-half-hour journey took it out of her.

• The following day the family were contacted as Aimee's condition had deteriorated

On 30th April 2021 Aimee passed away aged 32 from heart failure from Aortitis caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Aimee loved animals- the favourites being dogs and elephants. She raised funds for The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust who save baby orphaned elephants. After both open heart surgeries she took part in the sponsored Elephant run. She dressed in the elephant onesie on both occasions and was a accompanied by her best friend Emma.

Dogs were Aimees other passion - the larger the better. She was just about to qualify as a professional dog groomer at Writtle College when she sadly passed away.

Aimee's good friend Mick Nixon composed this wonderful poem - it says it all

Thank You Mick X

The Legend Aimee!

Aimee the legend, our loving china doll,

Let's remember the times we shared, before you had to go,

You had a look to remember, but a heart of glass,

Your funky fashion, had that touch of class.

Your colourful hair that looked so soft,

Sat upon your head like spun candyfloss.

You would look at us with your pretty blue eyes,

And if something went wrong you would roll them to the skies,

With your fun loving ways, you would light up our days,

You touched the heart of us in so many ways.

Working from Lush to Dog grooming and The Anchor along the way,

When you said you were leaving, we asked you to stay,

You brought Burlesque to the pub and to our lives,

But some men went home to a few upset wives.

We had lots of laughs in the days that went by,

Watching the barmaids getting chat up by some of the guys.

Then came the time for you to move on and

Start up your fashion label and to work in the dog salon.

The handbags you made and the clothing you designed,

Will be carried and worn with honour and pride.

Aimee our friend, our shoulder onto cry,

You could help all others without having to try.

For your love and friendship would show no bounds,

And this was so true in your love for your hounds.

We love your enthusiasm for life, your caring nature too,

And  the way you would dress like little Betty Boop.

We never got to say goodbye but if we could,

We would tell you we love you and thank you,

Our very loving special Angel, Lady Feelgood.

You will be forever missed Aimee

Love Mick x