A grandmother has been given a “second life chance” after undergoing a world heart valve operation.
Julia Butterworth, 53, had two heart valves replaced in 2007 after doctors detected a murmur in the organ.
Despite being monitored, the Gran-Off Four underwent another operation in 2022 to replace two more valves, and a third was considered “irreparable.”
In July of last year, he experienced a fatigue and experienced breath, and the doctors gave the news that any valve replacement “was not adequate” since it is in heart failure.
Julia and her husband, Michael Butterworth, begged “preparing for funeral”, since doctors throughout the United Kingdom told them that nothing else could be done.
However, the Leeds General InfirMary medical team refused to surrender and began to look for an alternative treatment.
The consultant on the team, Dr. Chris Malkin, thought there could be a solution using a private valve type that was available in a company in India.
They contacted medical professionals around the world to see if someone could help and later that month, a cardiologist flew from Denmark.
Dr. Malkin and the medical team imported and modified the valve in a “first world” and carried out a pioneering lock eye surgery in their heart in September 2024.
Although the operation had never been performed before, it was a success, and eight months-Later, Julia is at home and recovered well.
“It was a first procedure in the world,” said El Dorado, the West York resident. “I was afraid of the operation, I think it was just the unknown. My inspiration was to recover well for my family and for my grandchildren, they there in my thoughts all the time. One day I was planning my funeral and the next one thinking about my future.”
Julia first had two or her heart valves replaced in 2007.
In 2012, he also suggested experiencing problems with his renal function and underwent a transplant three years later, with his father as his living donor.
In 2022, two Herart valves were replaced again and she says that a third was considered “irreparable.”
Last July, Julia, who has chronic kidney disease, was admitted to LGI, where doctors looked at their kidneys and her inheritance.
Julia had a problem with her tricuspid valve and the type of replacements that were available were not suitable for her, since they had legs in the past with their other heart valves.
She was told around August 2024 that doctors “there was” nothing else “in the United Kingdom and Christmas was” far from guaranteeing. ”
“We were numb and we didn’t know what to do. It was annoying,” said Butterworth’s husband Michael. “The end of life team was called.”
Dr. Malkin, consultant of Leeds teaching hospitals, thought there was a solution with a valve made by a company in India.
He put the “feelings” to the measures worldwide, and heard back from colleagues in Denmark who thought it was “feasible.”
The operation was considered “high risk”, since it had never been done, but Julia and Michael agreed that it was the best option when he entered a multiorgan failure.
“Once my family was happy with that, it made it easier to be more concentrated and positive about it,” Butterworth added. “I had nothing to really lose. I have been bad for a long time and I have always had a positive perspective and attitude.”
The valve imported and modified and the doctors carried out lock eye surgery.
Duration The procedure, then discovered that they would need to use an additional valve and place one inside.
The surgery was successful and Julia was awake and walked a few days.
Dr. Kate Gatenby, another Leeds consultant who was part of the team involved in Julia’s surgery and attention, says she is “delighted” that Julia is fine.
“We have gone from some who were in bed, with a really limited life expectancy, which was in the hospital most of the time, to someone who now walks, is fine and able to spend time with their grandchildren,” said Dr. Gatenby. “The number of people who have been involved in Julia’s care is a real story of collaboration and teamwork.”
The couple has only gratitude towards the personnel involved in the care of Julia, and towards those who gave them hugs and support for the family.
“Now I am at home and everything has gone well,” Butterworth added. “I or I think, especially when used as used as Mother’s Day, which might not have a bone here to see this and see my grandson. I am very grateful to the NHS for everything he has done.”