Hello, people with good hearts,

My name is Gulen and I am 35 years old from Ruse. I have a husband and two wonderful children, 11 and 8 years old.

My life and that of my family was completely normal and happy until March 2020.

After a week of malaise, I visited doctors who, after numerous and thorough examinations, discovered an interatrial heart defect, sinus venosus type. A condition that is detected at a very young age, but in my case has remained hidden for many years and has already caused serious damage to my heart. The doctors in Rousse referred me to a hospital in Sofia where they confirmed the diagnosis. I had emergency surgery to close the heart defect.

Unfortunately, the operation did not improve my condition and many other procedures had to be performed afterwards. In September that year I was fitted with a pacemaker because I was losing consciousness and fainting several times. Two ablations followed to address the severe rhythm disturbances. My life became a living hell, spending more time in the hospital than with my family. Despite all the medication I was taking, the many treatments my condition continued to deteriorate. I am currently in a severe form of heart failure. I have lost 30% of my weight. I can hardly walk more than five meters without stopping to rest. I drink large doses of diuretics and yet all my organs and limbs collect water.

Unfortunately the diagnosis is bad, there is nothing more that can be done, a heart transplant is needed. My time is running out. I am getting worse every day.

We got a ray of hope from a hospital in Turkey that offered to do an innovative procedure to correct both heart valves- triclip and mitraclip. They believe this will buy me time and improve my quality of life. I want to be able to take care of my children, they need a mother.

The amount is 127 130 leva and is unaffordable for my family. Other examinations, visits and hospital stays will follow and we need to be prepared for them. It is a long road, but I want to walk it. This is my hope for life.

I turn to you , dear people, help me.