Brave Sarah recovers from second heart swap op

Jun 24 2009 The Journal

A desperate search was launched across Europe to locate a new organ and a donated heart was found after 12 days.

Sarah’s parents Beverley and Peter are praying that the second operation gives their only daughter a long-term future. Beverley, 45, said: “It’s been hard but Sarah is getting more positive by the day and the hospital visit has given her a boost. The main thing is that she’s alive and she has another chance.”

In April, Sarah, a pupil at Farringdon Community Sports College, had three cardiac arrests when her body rejected her first new heart.

Her parents now hope the youngster can return home soon.

Two years ago this month, Sarah was struck with a viral condition which caused her heart to fail and was taken to Sunderland General, before the Tyne Tunnel was closed for a “blue light” mercy dash to the Freeman.

Sarah then contracted an infection and doctors told her family only a transplant would save her life.

She was put on the top of the UK heart transplant waiting list and a heart became available in 23 hours.

A nine-hour operation followed on but two weeks later her new heart began beating irregularly and she had to have a pacemaker fitted.

She left hospital on her 11th birthday, eight weeks after she was first admitted.

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