Jonathan Thurn

There are moments in life when you realize just how precious something as simple as a heartbeat really is.

For me, that realization came through my experience with SVT... supraventricular tachycardia. What can sometimes feel like an unpredictable and frightening disruption to everyday life became a journey that ultimately taught me a lot about resilience, gratitude, and the incredible people who dedicate their lives to taking care of others.

I have now gone through two cardiac ablations, and both experiences have left a lasting impression on me.

An ablation is a procedure used to treat certain abnormal heart rhythms by identifying the area responsible for the electrical problem and treating that tissue. St. Michael’s Hospital’s Cardiac Arrhythmia Service performs electrophysiology studies and catheter ablations for a range of heart-rhythm disorders, including SVT.

But for me, this story isn't really about the procedure.

It's about the people.

From the moment I walked through the doors of St. Michael’s Hospital, I was surrounded by doctors, nurses, technicians, and hospital staff who treated me with professionalism, compassion, patience, and genuine care.

When you're dealing with something involving your heart, there is an emotional side to it that doesn't always show on the outside. You can try to stay strong, but there are moments when you're scared, uncertain, and wondering what comes next.

That's when having an amazing medical team makes all the difference.

The electrophysiology team at St. Michael's brings together cardiac electrophysiologists, nurses, technologists, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals who work together throughout the process.

And I felt that teamwork firsthand.

To every doctor who examined me, every nurse who checked on me, every technician who prepared me, every person who answered a question, reassured me, monitored me, or simply took a moment to make me feel like I was more than just another patient...thank you.

You may do this work every day, but for the person lying on that hospital bed, it's anything but an ordinary day.

My two ablations weren't exactly the journey I would have chosen, but I'm incredibly grateful for where that journey took me and for the people who walked beside me through it.

It reminded me that strength isn't always about pushing through something alone.

Sometimes strength is trusting the people who have dedicated their lives to helping you.

Sometimes strength is allowing yourself to be vulnerable.

And sometimes strength is simply waking up, taking the next breath, feeling that heartbeat, and being grateful that you get another day.

To the entire team at St. Michael's Hospital .. doctors, nurses, technicians, support staff, and everyone behind the scenes ...  can't possibly thank you enough.

You don't just treat hearts.

You give people the opportunity to keep living their lives.

And after everything I've been through, that's something I will never take for granted.

Two ablations. One incredible medical team. And one very grateful heart. ❤️

Thank you, St. Michael's.

From the bottom of my heart — literally.

St. Michael’s Hospital Cardiac Arrhythmia Service