Heart transplant girl feeling 'brilliant'

Published on Monday 17 August 2009 22:57

A TEENAGE girl who had a heart transplant after initially deciding she did not want the operation is feeling "brilliant", it was reported yesterday.

It emerged last month that Hannah Jones had undergone the life-saving surgery. She told doctors in November she did not want a transplant, having had enough of hospital treatment following years of ill-health.

But the 14-year-old, who suffered leukaemia as a young child, changed her mind after reportedly suffering kidney failure.

She told a national newspaper from her bed at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital: "I'm tired, but I feel brilliant compared to before.

"It seems really weird because I can feel the heart beating in my chest much stronger than before – and I know it's different. I'm still quite nervous, but I'm really glad it's all over."

The operation, carried out three weeks ago, has been hailed as a total success.

Her parents Kirsty, 43, a former hospital nursing sister, and Andrew, 44, an auditor, hope doctors may allow the teenager to return to the family home in Marden, Herefordshire this week.