Marilyn Rampersad battles for a triple-organ transplant

FOR the past five years Marilyn Rampersad, who is in need of a triple organ transplant, has lived with the hope that she would find a donor.

- NADIA KHAN

Rampersad, 37, of Cape Town, who was diagnosed with pulmonary artery hypertension, Eisenmenger syndrome, atrial septal defect and congenital heart disease, requires a heart and bilateral lung transplant.

She said at age 29, while pregnant with her second child, she experienced difficulty in breathing.

Rampersad, who hails from Port Shepstone, said she initially attributed it to having a high-risk pregnancy.

"However, after the birth of my son, while laying in bed, I suddenly experienced pain in my chest.

“I did not think much of it, but decided to get checked at our family doctor. She said I looked like I was having a heart attack and immediately sent me to a local hospital.

“However, I decided to take a letter from the hospital and go to Durban to see my cousin, who is a general practitioner.

“I thought who better than someone I considered as my older brother to tell me if what I was hearing was actually true.

“He confirmed everything and was also alarmed by my ECG report, which looked like I was having a heart attack. He did a few tests and referred me to King George VIII Hospital.

“I was later referred to Albert Luthuli Central Hospital where I was initially diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. It was a stressful time as I spent six months driving between Durban and Port Shepstone, while having a toddler and newborn at home,” she said.

Rampersad said her diagnosis changed over time.

“I went from being diagnosed with pulmonary embolism to later finding out it was more serious.

“I was diagnosed with pulmonary artery hypertension, which is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.