Country crooner Victoria McGee can sing again after heart transplant

One year ago, country singer Victoria McGee was told if she didn’t receive a heart transplant, she would only survive for about 18 months. Now after the lifesaving surgery, the young mum can not only look after her child, but can also sing again.

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A year ago, country singer Victoria McGee was told she had 18 months to live without a heart transplant.

Now, after undergoing surgery in May, the 34-year-old is looking forward to living into her 80s.

“Without the surgery, my doctor said there was no long term, that I would probably get around 18 months without a transplant,” McGee explained.

“That was very frightening at my age and particularly with my little boy. Every day is different once you are a transplant recipient. You’ve got to take your meds every 12 hours so it is an intense lifestyle to live but I am alive and I have a quality of life.”

Victoria McGee underwent a heart transplant. Picture: David Swift

McGee is mum to four-year-old son, Onyx. When she was pregnant, she had to make the difficult decision to push ahead with the birth despite the fact it could kill her.

She suffered from a severe form of cardiomyopathy for 15 years before undergoing surgery.

“It was a tough choice. I got through it but it did indeed take its toll on my health and my heart,” she explained.

“I always thought I would have to have a heart transplant eventually but it probably bought it forward carrying him.”

Victoria McGee in hospital for heart transplant.

Victoria McGee shows her post-surgery scar.

McGee, who was a judge on Channel 7 reality show All Together Now last year as she battled her health issues, is an ambassador for the free Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and IMB Bank Heart Health Tour that will be stationed off at Rouse Hill Town Centre tomorrow with further stops scheduled for Liverpool, Oran Park, Narellan, Penrith, Campbelltown, and Picton.

Victoria McGee and her son, Onyx.

The tour will take in 50 stops across NSW and the ACT over the coming months.

Coming out the other side of treatment, McGee is grateful to be able to sing again.

“I can read to my son again and play ball as well,” she said.

“The change is huge. In the end there I couldn’t perform. I was basically going to be off the books and I couldn’t even breathe to sing properly.

“Post transplant, I can sing beautifully and I have air in my lungs, which is just an amazing feeling. I get to do what I love so I am very lucky.”