Brave Cambuslang girl Samantha fought back after surgery

Nov 7 2012 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

Samantha Bells health took a turn for the worse last spring, as her heart condition worsened.

The brave Cambuslang woman was admitted to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital as her health deteriorated to a near-critical level.

And after several weeks of being kept alive by a pump, she finally received the news she wanted to hear, that a donor heart had been found for her.

For eight-and-a-half weeks I was bed-bound. I couldnt get up, I was like an older person.

Then it finally happened on July 14 and I was back home just under three weeks later.

Two months earlier Samantha was gravely ill when she was admitted to hospital.

She said: I desperately needed a new heart and doctors moved me ontothe urgent heart transplant list.

I didnt have time to wait, if I didnt get a new heart soon I would die.

After eight weeks, in July last year, a suitable heart became available.

The transplant was a success, and now, a year on from her op, she is focusing on the future.

She said: The staff at the Golden Jubilee were fantastic to me and I was finally able to leave hospital, just three weeks after my operation.

Everyone who looked after me was incredible.