When Adam, aged just 22, was referred to Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in 2022 with a lung tumour, he was anxious and unsure what lay ahead. However, the moment he met consultant thoracic surgeon Mr Aman Coonar and his team, he felt as though a weight had been lifted.
“Mr Coonar explained everything thoroughly and helped me feel more relaxed,” recalls Adam, an insurance consultant/data analyst from Essex. “He’s super passionate about life and clear that he puts his all into tackling disease.”
During routine pre-op assessments, a specialist nurse noticed Adam had a strong heart murmur. An echocardiogram (ECG) revealed an unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) - a rare congenital heart defect where the aortic valve has only one leaflet instead of the usual three.
“I’d always suspected something was wrong and, in a way, the diagnosis brought relief, says Adam. “It confirmed I wasn’t imagining it.”
Despite the heart condition, the lung tumour remained the primary concern.
Adam and consultant thoracic surgeon Mr Aman Coonar
In March 2022, Adam underwent a complex (right) middle lobe sleeve resection as the tumour had invaded his bronchus. Although he could have lost a lot of lung in the end, his surgeon was able to save all the working lung. Adam was in the operating room for several hours and then in critical care before spending nine days on the ward.
“It wasn’t an easy surgery, but the care I received was outstanding,” explains Adam. “Within days, I was cycling 10km on a stationary bike.”
He describes Royal Papworth as “more like a hotel” thanks to the round-the-clock care, attentive staff, and even the food. “You press the buzzer, and a nurse is at your bedside within a minute.”
Three weeks after returning home, Adam was back in the gym and says he felt the strongest he’d ever felt. But in October 2024, new chest pains led to an A&E visit where he was diagnosed with a small pneumothorax, or partial lung collapse in his non-operated left lung.
Back under Mr Coonar’s care, Adam underwent surgery in January 2025 to prevent future pneumothorax - a lung condition that occurs when air spontaneously leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse.
Around the same time, Adam’s heart condition began to deteriorate. A transoesphageal echocardiography (TOE) exam used to assess the function of the heart and heart valves was performed by consultant cardiologist Dr Madalina Garbi in December and showed the need for prompt intervention. Adam was referred to consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Mr Ravi De Silva and met with both Mr De Silva and specialty registrar Ms Rushmi Purmessur to discuss options.
Consultant thoracic surgeon Mr Aman Coonar with Adam
In March 2025, Adam underwent aortic valve replacement surgery with an On-X mechanical valve. This involved replacing his diseased aortic valve with a mechanical valve.
“The thought of heart surgery was daunting. Going down to theatre, I felt nervous, but the staff were so empathic, and we even shared a joke whilst I was in theatre waiting to be anaesthetised.”
The surgery was a success, and Adam’s recovery exceeded his expectations. “Everyone was surprised by how well I looked afterwards - I owe that to Ravi and Rushmi. They’re both incredible and I felt safe under their care.”
Two months’ later, Adam had another milestone to celebrate - his wedding. “I danced for five hours symptom free for the first time in years!”
Then, in September 2025, he achieved what he calls “the unthinkable”, completing the London to Brighton cycle ride, a 55-mile journey from Clapham Common to Brighton seafront alongside his surgeon, Mr Aman Coonar.
“To ride side by side with Aman, the person who helped give me my life back, it was surreal!” he smiles.
“Successful surgery isn't luck; it's a direct result of the competency and teamwork of all the people underneath the blue scrubs. Royal Papworth's surgeons and teams are world class.
“This hospital breathes life and I’m living proof.”
Adam and consultant thoracic surgeon Mr Aman Coonar