SHE spent hours at the hospital when her 75-year-old dad had life-saving open-heart surgery.So Sue Duffin was certainly well prepared when she had exactly the same operation two weeks later.

"It was hard to see my dad go through the surgery," said 48-year-old Sue. "But because he went first, I felt better about having the same thing done.In the back of my mind I kept telling myself 'this will be me in a fortnight'."

Sue's dad, Dave Hearne, of Mickleover, needed surgery after doctors discovered that the aortic valve in his heart was beginning to stiffen up and was restricting the flow of blood.

Sue, from Church Broughton, had the same operation to replace her aortic valve after medics revealed it was the wrong shape because of a birth defect. Without the ops, the pair would have lost their lives. Sue was diagnosed with a heart murmur four years ago and was told that her aortic valve was a different shape to most people's. Despite the diagnosis, doctors were not overly concerned and asked to see her every year.

But a recent check-up revealed that the valve had seriously deteriorated and needed replacing.

"It was a worry at the time," said Sue, who runs Sassy Hair, in Allestree.

"It felt so strange to think that I was going to have the same thing done just two weeks later. When I was at the hospital waiting for him to come out of surgery, I had a good look around. I got to know some of the nurses on the ward and told them I was coming in soon. They were surprised."

Sue's aortic valve was replaced with a tissue valve and since the operation, she has been feeling much better. She has not been back in the salon yet but Sue says she's come a long way since her surgery in July. She said: "I've started walking again and I'm feeling less tired. After the operation, I felt truly horrendous. For at least two weeks, I was absolutely terrible. You feel so strange and it takes ages before you start feeling more like yourself. Dad and I both knew that we were going through a big operation but I don't think anything really prepares you for what's coming. It was like nothing I've ever experienced. But we've come through the other side now and all is well."

Dave's surgery, which also included a bypass to correct angina, was a resounding success.

The retired teacher is now a picture of health and is going to cardiac rehabilitation classes at the Royal Derby Hospital, alongside Sue. Before her surgery at Glenfield Hospital, in Leicester, Sue had one big wish – to see her operation being performed. She asked her surgeon if he would film the procedure so she could watch it while she recovered at home. But due to lack of equipment, Giles Peek, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, couldn't record the procedure.

And, despite wanting a head camera, the hospital could not make the £24,000 commitment to Mr Peek.

"I was disappointed that he couldn't film it," said Sue. "When I was told that I needed open-heart surgery, one of the first things that ran through my mind was the fact that I really wanted to see the operation. Giles told me that he didn't have the right equipment to film the operation even though he'd have loved to do it for me. During the course of the conversation, he told me that he really wanted a head camera. He said that it could be used for training purposes and at the same time, for people like me, who had a fascination with open-heart surgery."

Even before Sue's operation, she decided to do something to help the team at Glenfield Hospital.

She pledged to raise the £24,000 needed.

"I was disappointed that I couldn't see the operation," said Sue. "And I guessed there were more people like me who would have liked to see their operation. At the same time, I realised just how valuable this piece of equipment would be when it comes to medical training. I told myself that I'd try to raise the money. I have lots of friends and a great family. I have brilliant business contact too. Between us all, I'm sure we could do it."

While Sue has been recovering from her operation, she has been making plans to raise the cash.

She is in the process of organising a charity ball at Pride Park Stadium and has just secured a date for her event.

"It's May 14, 2011," said Sue. "I've just had it all confirmed. I've booked the stadium for the night and now I'm going to make it happen. I've also opened an account at the Natwest so people can pay money in. It's called the Head Camera Appeal."

Sue is determined to raise the full amount to buy Giles his much-needed piece of equipment. She's set her target on collecting the cash in 2011.

"I want to raise it as soon as I can," said Sue. "It's my way of saying thank you to Glenfield for looking after me and my dad.

"At the same time, I feel like I'm doing something worthwhile to help in the future. Heart patients from Derby all have their surgery in Leicester and that's why I'm raising this money. I'm doing it for all of us who have to go through this operation.I need the people of Derby to support me and what I'm trying to do."

Mr Peek said: "I am delighted that Sue has offered to raise this money to buy a head camera for surgeons at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre in Glenfield Hospital.

"It will help patients understand exactly what is wrong with their heart and how the corrective surgery was performed. In addition, it will improve safety in the operating theatre and will be a useful aid for teaching doctors and nurses."

Cash and cheques can be donated to Sue's appeal at any branch of Natwest. The name of the account to pay into is the Head Camera Appeal.