Acknowledgements

Emma, Nina, Sion, and Roger generously allowed me to describe their heart surgery experience. Tracey, Evgeny, surgeon H, and surgeon J generously provided eloquent and heartfelt narratives of difficult and vulnerable times. Peter Tallack of the Science Factory and Philip Gwyn Jones of Scribe recognised the potential of this book and supplied much encouragement. Ian Pindar did a superb job in editing the final manuscript and Molly Slight expertly steered it through to publication. To all of them, and to Fran for loving support and constructive critique throughout, thank you.