Dr Homayoun Jalali with Zoe, aged 4

Nineteen year old Zoe Gardiner was born with a complex congenital heart problem that affected three out of four of her heart valves, as well as having a number of holes in her heart.

At seven months old, the Gold Coast teen underwent her first major open heart surgery at TPCH with cardiac surgeon Dr Homayoun Jalali leading the team.

“My parents were told that if I didn’t get the surgery I wouldn’t see five years old. Every single surgery I’ve had has been life-saving,” Zoe said.

Now, nearly two decades later, things have come full circle, and Zoe is recovering from her fifth major open heart operation, treated once again by Dr Jalali for the first time since she was four years old.

Dr Jalali said it was a unique case to have the teenager back in his operating room fifteen years later.

“It’s not that I’m happy that Zoe has to come back to me, but it’s quite overwhelming to take over her care again. I’ve seen her as a baby, I’ve seen her as a little child and now I’m seeing her as a young adult,” Dr Jalali said.

Dr Homayoun Jalali with Zoe, aged 19

“I just want to do everything I can to get them back to normal life. It breaks my heart to see a 19-year-old back in hospital. That’s not where they should be, they should be out enjoying life.”

Despite his years of experience, Dr Jalali said every surgery held the same amount of pressure.

“I’m looking at a young lady who’s got her whole life ahead of her, but every second of the operation, I knew that something could happen where her life could just fade away in my hands,” he said.

The surgery was a success, and after 38 days in hospital, Zoe was finally discharged last month. But her recovery is only just starting and with the enduring support of her mum Jane and dad Steve, Zoe is can finally return to a normal life.

“Just being able to feel good again and notice that my heart’s good again. It’s going to take a couple of months to notice that my heart is working well again,” Zoe said.