Cape Town - It’s been 13 years since 52-year-old Suzette Jacobs received her second heart transplant in the month dedicated to women.
The heart she received is also from a woman and, to top it off, it was successfully transplanted in the month celebrating organ donors.
She now hopes her story can inspire people.
Jacobs was only 26 years old when she learnt of the heart condition that would change her life forever.
“It was bad, I couldn’t even walk without taking breaks in between, it literally felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest.
“I knew I needed to have myself checked out, not only for myself but for my two-year-old son at the time.”
Jacobs learnt she had an enlarged heart, and that her heart muscles were damaged.
“This is when I got my first heart transplant on June 19.1998. It was a mission from beginning to the end.
“There were three people waiting for the same heart, one from Cape Town, one from Joburg and myself.
“Both candidates couldn't make it, one was on holiday, the other had pneumonia.
“I literally waited for one day when they found my perfect match, by blood type, tissue type, height, weight and all those factors.”
She recalled how her heart also had a journey of its own.
“They had to get a special pilot, reroute the plane, and the pilot had to turn the heart on dry ice to keep it ready. Nevertheless, I received the heart and journeyed with it for 10 years.”
Jacobs then found herself readmitted with chronic rejection and was in hospital for three months.
“This time was different, the wait was long, I didn’t know what to expect. It’s when my son called and cried that he needed me, that I started to pray hard for another chance and an hour later we received a call that we got a heart from Pretoria in Women's Month, from a woman.
“We did the transplant in August 2011 and this heart has been pumping and giving me life since, a new meaning to life.”
Jacobs said her story inspired her whole family to read up on organ donors and all of them have since decided to also become donors.
“As women, we have the power to become each other's strength. Look at how my donor's decision gave me another chance at life. I became more confident, I knew I had to inspire people.
“I don't know what tomorrow holds so I am really living each day as if it's my last while being hopeful for my future. If everyone just does this, I am sure the world will be a better place.
“And remember you can save seven people if you donate your organs. Your decision can be someone else’s positive story to tell.”
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za
Cape Argus