Many associate Valentine's Day with hearts in cards, balloons, chocolates and gifts.
But for Michelle Crawford, Valentine's Day hearts go one step further. Now, the day represents the moment her life changed forever, with the call to her family to confirm her heart transplant 30 years ago.
As a child, Michelle was always fatigued and sickly, unable to join in on activities and hobbies with other children.
Her illness was a mystery to doctors, but Michelle knew that the medical professionals that treated her as a child were never going to give up on her.
Referrals from Michelle's GP Dr Munro to paediatric consultant Dr Brown in Altnagelvin, to Dr Mulholland in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast led to the diagnosis of the hereditary condition Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.
Michelle told MyDerry about the journey since her diagnosis to her transplant which gave her a second chance at life.
She said: "When I was diagnosed at 10 years old, my parents were told the only cure would be a transplant which no one does in Northern Ireland so we would have to try and go to London. I wasn’t even really fit for the journey and the procedure, and my parents were given a timeline of around six weeks.
"So we were sent over to London, it was my first time on a plane and I remember it was absolutely terrifying. Harefield Hospital believed in giving every child a chance so I was placed on the transplant list, given a beeper and told to go home.
"Everyone in Derry was praying for a miracle, the whole city was behind me and our prayers were answered. On Valentine's Day then 1992 the call came to say that they had a heart for me."
Placed on a ventilator to allow her body to adjust, Michelle was brought around three days after the procedure took place. Immediately she felt her life had changed.
She said: "I noticed an immediate difference, I could feel life surging through my body. I could almost feel my blood pumping through me. I felt awake, alive and energetic.
"I looked in the mirror and I did not recognise the person looking back. My eyes were sparkling and full of life.
"It was like being given a new engine, there was no effort in walking or doing activities. It was so emotional I stood and cried. I had never felt so alive and I did not want it to go away."
Michelle maintains a positive attitude, appreciating the new life she received and has seen many others receive.
She said: "I walk around with flowers and stars in my eyes, it has given me such a positive outlook in my life. It’s given me the chance to just live a normal life.
"Life expectancy for transplant patients can be a few years to decades. I have seen plenty of friends go too early.
"But they still had extra years and decades of an incredible life. It really can give you a full life, especially with medical advancements. There is so much more hope for transplant patients now than when I had mine."
Michelle wanted to thank those who came on this journey with her, reflecting on her 30th anniversary since her second chance at life.
She said: "Reaching my grand 30th anniversary milestone, could not be possible without the dedication, love and support from many.
"I want to thank my selfless heart donor Kelly and her family, whose wishes made my life possible. I would encourage anyone who hasn’t already registered, to sign the organ donor register and have the talk with loved ones about your wishes.
"You’ll never know the true meaning of the tremendous gift of life you can leave behind.
"Thank you to my family, who went through it with me and still journey with me every day, we share celebrations, tears, worries, gratitude, much and plenty of laughter."
While our interview with Michelle took place, the news of the passing of Daithi's law came through. This will change the future in providing hope for those who are in need of an organ transplant.
Michelle is currently fundraising to support the hospital that provided her transplant. More information can be found here.
For more Derry news, visit our new site MyDerry.
