In the earliest chapters of my life, my mother noticed that I would linger over my milk, and at times, my tiny face would turn an alarming shade of blue. Deep within her maternal instincts, a nagging feeling persisted—a sense that something wasn't quite as it should be. Undeterred by the dismissive labels thrust upon her by doctors who saw only an anxious mother, she knew deep down that there was more to this puzzle than met the eye.

When I was six weeks old, a paediatrician appointment provided profound relief. My mother, carrying the weight of her concerns and praying for someone to hear her pleas, laid bare her worries before the doctor. The doctor gently placed a stethoscope on my heart, and immediately detected my murmur. If she had ignored my mother's concerns and delayed for even a day, I might have faced a tragic fate, with the possibility of losing my life or suffering a severe brain haemorrhage. I was hurriedly taken to the Royal Brompton, where I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Atresia and Ventricular Septal defect and my incredible 32-year journey began.

Throughout my childhood, Royal Brompton became such a familiar place that it almost felt like a second home to me. When I found myself in a different hospital, it felt strangely unfamiliar, like an unsettling departure from the norm. My parents always told me: "You can achieve anything you set your mind to." So, during my school days, I approached life with the belief that I was perfectly fine, and that was a positive outlook to have. However, it did take some time for me to come to terms with the fact that I was different. Looking back, when I was in school, my health wasn't as much of an obstacle, so I was able to engage in various activities. It's only now, as I've grown older, that my health has deteriorated significantly.

In 2003, I underwent my first surgery, during which a shunt was implanted to facilitate the flow of blood from the body to the lungs. Another shunt operation followed in 2005. Regrettably, in 2012, I experienced a pulmonary embolism, which is the abrupt obstruction of blood vessels responsible for transporting blood to the lungs. This typically occurs when a blood clot originating in the deep veins of the leg dislodges and travels to the lungs.

The month of July 2023 marked my most recent and risky medical procedure. A team of dedicated doctors joined forces to insert a stent in my heart, as the shunt that had been previously placed was gradually closing. During this daunting time, they delivered an earnest message – they had reached the limit of their interventions, and it was too risky to consider reopening the shunt ever again. Before the procedure, I was advised to have honest conversations with my friends and family. The gravity of the situation hung in the air like an unspoken question: Would I make it through this life-or-death ordeal? Yet, in the depths of uncertainty, I held onto a glimmer of hope. Thankfully I made it out alive with all the stacks against me, but more challenges awaited me. Doctors hoped to close the hole in my heart and place a valve in. However, I couldn’t have this procedure because it was too dangerous and there was an increased chance that my lungs could collapse. 

My medical journey has left a profound impact on my life, touching me both emotionally and physically. I vividly recall a moment at the age of 16 when a team of doctors and nurses entered the room all at once, delivering the painful news that I was highly unlikely to conceive children of my own. At that point in my life, I didn't fully grasp the magnitude of this revelation, but I certainly understood the weight of its impact. As an adult, my health challenges have had a ripple effect on various aspects of my life, including social interactions and my career. Navigating the workforce was especially challenging as I found myself in and out of jobs, often due to not being able to walk far without being out of breath, and due to a lack of understanding from employers and colleagues regarding my health condition. I faced situations where I had to attend as many as seven or eight medical appointments throughout the year, significantly impacting my work life.

Fortunately, I am currently the owner of my own small business where I specialise in teaching people how to make their dreams come true. I also maintain a blog where I offer support and guidance to individuals in similar situations, including parents dealing with children facing similar challenges. I see myself as a living testament to overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, and I firmly believe that my purpose in this world is to give back to the community through my personal experiences. 

I am now passionately fundraising for the charity to express my gratitude and support for all the invaluable work the charity does for patients. My aim is to assist critically ill patients at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospital, to show my immense appreciation and give back to the hospital that ultimately saved my life on multiple occasions.

I am in the process of assessing my suitability for a double lung and heart transplant. I cannot express enough gratitude to Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, as they have played an integral role in saving my life and providing me with the resources to navigate the 32 years of my life so far. 

 

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