A mother’s months-long journey of fear, faith and hope ended in relief this week as her infant son prepared to leave the hospital following a successful life-saving heart surgery at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital.
Litia Vakatalai, the mother of five-month-old Nathaniel Solimailagi, recalled the emotional experience of learning that her first child had a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), a condition affecting the heart.
She said Nathaniel was first admitted to hospital when he was just two weeks old.
At four months, her son was admitted to hospital again after experiencing breathing difficulties.
Ms Vakatali said doctors explained the need for the operation and carefully guided her through the diagnosis and treatment process, helping her make the difficult decision to allow surgeons to operate on her son.
“First I was a bit hesitant, but when I got to know that it’s the best team we’ll have, I just consented,” she said.
She was worried about the financial burden of travelling overseas for treatment, but after learning the surgery would be provided free of charge, she accepted the offer immediately.
The operation was performed by visiting surgeon Dr Shaun Shetty and his medical team from Australia.
Doctors operated on Nathaniel last Friday after being admitted to the Sai Prema Hospital earlier that week.
“I really had no other option, since he is my first child.
“When Dr Shaun came looking to inform me about the successful operation, I was just thankful to God.”
Ms Vakatalai said the changes in Nathaniel’s health were noticeable almost immediately after surgery.
“Before the surgery, I noticed that his breathing was not normal, but now it’s all normal.
“Sometimes he doesn’t like to feed, but now it’s like every two hours I’m giving him milk.”
As the two prepared for discharge on Wednesday, she thanked the doctors, nurses and hospital staff for their care and compassion throughout the ordeal.
“I am so grateful that my son has now made it.”
