Vatubua ready to fly again after successful surgery

An emotional and grateful Sereana Vatubua is ready to fly around the world again after her successful heart surgery, thanks to the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation.

Vatubua says she was diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Disease just last year, even though she had no signs or symptoms.

The former Fiji Airways flight attendant says she has 2 very active boys aged 8 and 12, so she had to make things fit in a way where she was there for them and at the same time taking care of herself.

The 41-year-old says it has been a roller coaster of emotions as she got the call last Saturday to come to Suva for assessment on Sunday before she had her surgery on Monday.

She says she was actually training for her assessment this Wednesday for her to return to fly.

Vatubua says she was doing aerobics and swimming but had to let the union know what was happening and for her name to be removed from the current list till maybe later.

When asked about how her family and friends took the news she says she is blessed.

Vatubua says she is grateful to the overseas nurses, doctors and specialists, especially Dr Brian Chan, who was by her side.

She is still optimistic about returning to work as she believes there is a purpose that the Lord has opened these doors for her, as she has been assured that if there is a class when she comes out that she will be put in it.

While her 2 boys haven’t visited her yet they had their Rheumatic Heart Disease screening this morning, which came out clean as she says it will be a relief to their father who had just called.

Her advice to those who are still uncertain about their condition is to and get checked.

The Foundation is a New Zealand registered charitable trust which provides free operations for Fijians suffering from valvular heart disease.

The Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation (FOFHF) have been coming to Fiji since 2006.

Each year, Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation sends a mission to Fiji to perform heart surgery not otherwise available to people of Fiji.

The team spends approximately two weeks in Fiji doing open-heart surgeries, Pacemaker Insertions and clinics.

The team comprises of approximately 60 volunteers which moves like an army, taking about 15 tons of medical equipment and medical supplies when it goes for the mission each year.