Cardiac – related to the heart

By Sarah McEachan

2nd of July 1996, I was born, a seemingly healthy baby girl, second daughter to my proud parents Jane and Ian McEachan, sister to my ever loving Laura. At the six-week check up the doctor noticed that something was wrong. A heart murmur, naturally my parents panicked, I was diagnosed with VSD: Ventricular Septal Defect, which meant there was a hole in the muscle wall, which divides the right and left ventricles of the heart. My parents are faced with a tough decision, possibly life threatening surgery or a shortened and debilitated life. They bravely chose surgery, which I am thankful for every day. At a mere 6 weeks old, open-heart surgery repaired the hole, all I am left with now is the scars, which I am incredibly proud of. Scars which generated taunts in primary school but are now my inspiration to become a surgeon and help others. My nana told me to look up and aim high and that is what I intend to do. My long-term goal is to become a leading surgeon but for now, acing my a-levels is all I need.