I was 29 and finally a mother when the doctors told me I only had a few weeks to live

At 22, Sarah Tierney had everything she ever wanted.

After tragically losing her first son, Joseph, at just 31 weeks, she gave birth to a rainbow baby, Jake, in July 2007.

But the young mother had struggled with health problems since birth, and when Jake was five years old, things “really got worse.”

She was eventually placed on the heart transplant list and, while waiting for a donor, was told she only had ‘weeks to live’. Relatives came to say goodbye and Sarah prepared for what she thought might be the end.

But miraculously, when all hope seemed lost, she received the news she had been waiting for and underwent life-saving surgery.

Now Sarah, 36, is grateful for every day. “I treat every year as if it were my last, as I was once told it could be,” she says.

Doctors had no idea Sarah would be born with a major artery transposition – when the two main blood vessels in the heart change position.

She explained: “I was born and came out blue. “I needed several operations to repair the defect and reroute my blood through my heart and body.”

The operation was successful and Sarah had a completely normal childhood until she was 15 years old.

She said: “I felt quite breathless and was given daily medication. “It was a bit of a shock because I didn’t need anything for so long.

“My biggest concern was whether I would ever be able to have children, because I always wanted to be a mother. The doctors said it was possible, but I had to have them early.”

Sarah met her now husband Damon when she was 16 and became pregnant at 18.

But in the 31st week, Sarah went into premature labor. Her son Joseph was given injections in the womb to strengthen his lungs, but he was born within 24 hours.

“It was completely unexpected,” says Sarah. “They delivered him and within a few hours he unfortunately passed away.”

Joseph had contracted a group B streptococcal infection and was unable to recover. “He was just so bad,” says Sarah. “It was just absolutely devastating.

“It was very difficult to lose our son and not have our dream child.” It was one of the worst days of my life.

“It was a very difficult time and the pregnancy put a lot of pressure on my heart, so I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get pregnant again.”

“Nothing could ever replace Joseph, but we really wanted another baby.”

But two years later, Sarah was pregnant again, with another baby boy, Jake.

“The pregnancy was nerve-wracking after what happened with Joseph and I was convinced something would happen again.”

“Then, around 30 weeks, my heart started beating strangely, so they gave me a beta blocker, which affected Jake’s growth.”

“We thought it would end like this again.”

Jake was born at 34 weeks and although he was on oxygen in the hospital for a few weeks, he was a healthy little boy. “He was just amazing,” says Sarah.

As a busy new mother, Sarah’s health took a back seat: “After he was born, I was given many more medications for heart failure.” But because I got Jake after losing Joseph, it was all about him.

“I pushed back and just kept going.”

Sarah continued to be monitored regularly at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, but when Jake was five years old she developed more serious heart rhythm problems.

Over the next two years, she underwent a series of ablations (a procedure that helps the heart maintain a normal rhythm) and a pacemaker to try to control her heart disease.

Unfortunately, despite all this, things only got worse. “I couldn’t take Jake to school, I couldn’t climb the stairs, my lips and nails turned blue and everything got worse,” she says.

In 2014, Sarah, only 27 years old, was placed on the transplant list. Sarah says: “When I was born, my parents were never told that a transplant was an option, it was never discussed.”

“When I first found out I was going to be convicted of this, it was just shocking. We couldn’t believe we were in this situation. It was hard to concentrate on it.

“But as it got worse, I realized I really, really needed it.”

When Sarah was put on the transplant list, she realized how unwell she felt: “I couldn’t make a wish list because I was too ill, but I focused on what I could do for Jake if I couldn’t make it. “. I knew I might not get the transplant in time.

“I decided to make a keepsake box and birthday cards – even a new house and wedding cards – until he turned 21. It was heartbreaking, but I hoped it would bring him some comfort.”

Doctors urged Sarah to stay in hospital over Christmas, but she refused.

“I had an appointment the week before Christmas and they said I had to stay in hospital for the time being because I was on the emergency list – which basically means you’re dying.”

“But I was determined to spend Christmas at home with Jake and Damon and I wasn’t sure if it would be my last.” But on December 28 I went to the hospital again.

“The doctors told me that without a new heart I would only have a few weeks to live.” My whole family came to see me. They never said it, but I knew they thought this was the last time they would see me. They walked and tried to hide the fact that they were crying.

“It was surreal, especially when Jake came to visit. Every time he left my heart broke a little and I wondered if this would be the last time I would see him.”

Sarah spent New Year’s Eve in the hospital, but then she finally got the important, life-saving news.

“On January 5, 2015, the nurse came in and said, ‘Oh Sarah, we have a heart for you.’ Just so normal, like I thought it was my dinner. My father was sleeping in the room and the nurse had to wake him up to tell him what was going on.

“I discovered that my donor was 62 years old and that night I underwent the eight-hour transplant.”

Fortunately, the procedure was successful and Sarah spent the next seven days in a coma while her body adjusted to her new heart. She eventually came around, began her recovery and returned home on Valentine’s Day.

Over the next year, Sarah had to leave the hospital intermittently while doctors reviewed her medication and checked for rejection. It didn’t take long before things were in order.

She said: “I felt like a new person.” We were on vacation and I was able to go biking and swimming with Jake. It was like I had a new life, it was incredible.”

Since her operation, Sarah has organized several fundraising events for the transplant team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where she was treated. She even makes baskets for children and adults awaiting transplants.

She now sees this time of year as a gift: “I’ve always loved Christmas, it’s my favorite time of year.”

“I treat every year as if it were my last, as I was once told. It’s a very special time for me and nine years later I’m still here and able to celebrate with my family thanks to science, research, the NHS and of course my donor.

“Every year when Jake, who is now 16, celebrates his birthday, I go back to the box of cards I wrote for him – when I thought I was going to make it – and I get to tear them up and put one in . Write a letter.” . new. I am still here.’

Cardiovascular disease affects around 7.6 million people and their families in Britain, but is often seen as invisible or not life-threatening. This festive season, the British Heart Foundation is calling on people to donate to the charity to fund life-saving research into cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Charmaine Griffiths, CEO of the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: “We are asking people to give the gift of life by funding ground-breaking heart research.”

“BHF research is already turning science fiction into reality: in treatments and cures that can save and improve more lives than ever before.” But despite all our progress, millions of people are still waiting for tomorrow’s scientific breakthroughs that will help them and their families.

“It is only through the generosity of our supporters that we can give hope to people like Sarah and her family.” Donations to the BHF fund vital research to drive progress and give people the gift of spending more time with the people they love.”

Donate to the British Heart Foundation this festive season and give a gift that lives on at bhf.org.uk/Christmas.

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