Last week, 11 year old Thyda* from Siem Reap, underwent the most complex heart surgery Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) has ever performed. We are delighted to report she is happy, healthy and at home! Here is her story…
At just four months old Thyda’s health began to fail. Her mother, who sells fish in the market, noticed her daughter had problems such as fatigue, fast breathing, and slow development. She visited a pediatric hospital many times over the years, but it wasn’t until she was five that a Radiologist diagnosed Thyda with heart disease. Sadly that hospital was unable to perform the surgery she needed, so for a further five years Thyda’s condition was treated only with medicines.
That was until a year ago, when for the first time Thyda came to AHC. Test results showed she suffered from a severe congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), a rare and complex heart disease which contains four sub-heart failures.
Thyda was first given medicine to improve her overall health until our Cardiologist confirmed she was ready for the major operation.
Last week, Thyda was one of 14 patients who received heart surgery at our hospital thanks to the strong teamwork between the AHC heart team, together with a visiting team from Operation Open Heart, Australia.
Thyda is now at home with her mum, dad and younger brother. Although she needs to take medicines and visit us for health checks, the operation was a great success and the future for Thyda looks bright. Her mother is already planning to send her to school, which she has not gone to for many years due to her health problems.
The Heart Surgery Program at AHC is the only option for children with this type of heart defect in Cambodia.
*Patient’s name has been changed for confidentiality reasons.