'Right to die' teenager Hannah Jones changes her mind

[bijou]

Hannah Jones, the critically-ill teenager who defied attempts by doctors to force her to have a heart transplant, has changed her mind and agreed to go ahead with the potentially life saving operation.

Hannah, who turned 14 this month, decided to go back on the list after doctors reassured her that she has a good chance of making a full recovery. Previously they had warned her that the operation was risky and that even if it was successful she would need another heart within ten years.

Last November doctors tried to have her made a ward of court so she could be returned to hospital against her will after she defied their advice and insisted that she would rather die at home than spend any more time there. Her brave decision won her support from around the world.

Last week, however, she suffered kidney failure after celebrating her birthday and was back in intensive care. She was told by doctors that circumstances had changed since she was last assessed for a transplant as she had grown and was stronger.


She had been told that a heart transplant was risky and that she would almost certainly require a second transplant within 10 years. Without the operation she could die at any time, doctors said.

After being reassessed, however, she was told that there was now a good chance she would make a full recovery if she underwent the procedure as she had grown and was stronger. ...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6720642.ece

Hopefully she can now live a long and happy life.