When Something Didn’t Feel Right

Following the birth of her baby, Deborah began noticing changes in her body that concerned her.

Her legs were swelling. Her stomach, which had begun to return to its usual state after delivery, started looking different again. She struggled to sleep and found herself breathing unusually fast.

She knew something wasn’t right.

Her first visit to the hospital where she had delivered her baby did not immediately reveal the cause. She was reassured that the symptoms could be part of the normal postpartum period and was given antibiotics.

But the symptoms continued.

After seeking further medical attention and undergoing additional investigations, Deborah discovered that the problem was not simply related to childbirth.

Her heart was the source of the problem.

She was referred to a cardiologist, who subsequently referred her to a doctor at Duchess International Hospital.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Deborah was diagnosed with a heart condition requiring valve replacement surgery. By the time she arrived at Duchess, she was extremely weak. She remembers the doctor insisting that she should not go home and making sure she was admitted.

“He actually cares.”

For Deborah, that moment stood out. Rather than simply treating the immediate symptoms and sending her home, her condition was taken seriously. She was admitted and prepared for the procedure. The seriousness of the situation was frightening, but the care she received began to change how she felt about what lay ahead.

Finding Comfort in an Unfamiliar Place

Deborah admits that she has never been comfortable in hospitals. Yet her experience at Duchess was different. From the nurses who greeted her with smiles to the staff she encountered throughout the hospital, she found an environment that made her feel unexpectedly comfortable. The nursing team made sure she was settled and cared for as she prepared for surgery.

Then she met the cardiac surgical team. Each member introduced themselves and reassured her that she was in good hands. The fear began to leave.

“I wasn’t scared at all. That fear left.”

Instead of focusing on the uncertainty of the surgery, Deborah found herself looking forward to waking up afterwards.

The Day of Surgery

On the morning of her surgery, Deborah was surprisingly calm. She recalls the doctors and members of the surgical team being playful and reassuring with her. Something she believes was exactly what she needed in that moment.

She was taken into the operating theatre and left the rest in God’s hands, trusting the medical team to do their best.

Her family waited.

Her husband waited.

And the surgical team got to work.

The procedure was completed, and Deborah’s family was informed that she was doing well.

Waking Up to a New Chapter

When Deborah eventually woke up, everything felt different.

The surgery was over. Her family was there. And she had begun another chapter of her journey.

What started with symptoms she initially thought might simply be part of recovering from childbirth had revealed a serious cardiac condition, and ultimately led her to the treatment she needed.

Her story is a reminder that persistent or unusual symptoms after childbirth should not always be dismissed as part of the normal recovery process.

Sometimes, they may signal an underlying condition that requires medical attention.

A Journey Built on Trust

For Deborah, her experience at Duchess was about more than the procedure itself. It was about being listened to. It was about having her symptoms taken seriously. It was about a team that reassured her when she was afraid and cared for her when she was most vulnerable. And ultimately, it was about getting the specialised cardiac care she needed.

Sometimes, the first step towards better health is simply listening when your body tells you something isn’t right.

This patient story is shared with the consent of the patient and family.

Explore Our Cardiac Services

If you, your child, or someone you know has been diagnosed with a heart condition and would like to discuss your treatment options, our cardiac team is available to provide specialist assessment and care.

Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery & Advanced Heart Care