Absolute miracle: Kang (right) and Dr Mohamed Ezani talking at IJN in Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR: The first drink Danielle Kang requested after regaining the ability to eat following her successful heart transplant was bubble milk tea.
In February, the 19-year-old was near death but a suitable donor heart became available just in time to save her life.
“We are very thankful that she is better now and are deeply grateful to the donor who saved her life. We didn’t put too much hope on a transplant as we didn’t know if a heart would be available in time,” said Kang’s mother Ivy Tiong, 55.
National Heart Institute (IJN) senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib said Kang suffered from cardiomyopathy and her case was too severe that the only cure was a transplant.
Danielle Kang's scenic water colour piece.
She was completely sedated and had a mechanical heart device for the left side of her heart and an external support for the right side, he said.
“Despite two systems supporting her heart, there was not enough blood flow, because the heart was so weak. I remember telling the mother that she might not make it,” said Dr Mohamed Ezani.
The miracle came in the form of an organ donor, only five days after the mechanical heart was implanted.
“I couldn’t believe it; the donor was almost the same height, weight and age. What are the odds?
A special pencil sketched gift for the medical team in IJN by Danielle Kang.
“After we did the test, everything matched and there were no problems with the donor heart,” he said.
The heart transplant was performed the same day, and the most nerve-wracking moment was connecting the new heart to Kang.
“When the new heart was joined, thankfully it started beating. That was the most dangerous moment as her body might reject the new heart,” said Dr Mohamed Ezani.
Those two critical weeks before and after the transplant required the attention of eight doctors and more than 10 supporting staff.
“It was the most dramatic and terrifying two weeks. It was labour intensive to keep her alive as we had to manage her condition every minute,” he said.
Kang’s treatment was fully funded by the Health Ministry, with an approximate figure of RM1mil, said Dr Mohamed Ezani.
Fortunately, after the transplant, Kang made a speedy recovery and one could barely tell that she underwent a major surgery save for the scar on her chest.
Kang can now look forward to going home to Miri, Sarawak.
“I miss my cats, and I plan to meet my school friends when I go home,” she said.
For now, Kang and her mother still need to stay here for a few more months for check-ups.
Kang has taken the opportunity to enjoy eating her favourite food and getting her nails done.
An avid artist, she spent her recovery period in the hospital drawing and painting. She hopes to pursue an art-focused career in the future.
“I like to draw for animation and architecture using pencil or watercolour. Now, I have more time for art,” she said.
Despite her near-death experience, Kang was resilient and was certain that she would recover.
“I was emotionally and mentally prepared for what could happen but I didn’t think about leaving,” said the soft-spoken girl.
Kang was one of two heart transplant recipients at IJN after a six-year hiatus.
One of the main reasons for this prolonged delay was the lack of heart donors, said Dr Mohamed Ezani.
Previously, IJN chairman Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah stressed the urgent need for organ donors.
Information on organ donation can be found at www.dermaorgan.gov.my, www.facebook.com/dermaorgan and x.com/dermaorgan.
