At just 23 years-old, Megan Hetherington had already survived a stroke, a heart attack and undergone heart surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Six years later, the 29 year-old from North Lincolnshire is helping to save lives herself.
Megan now works for Yorkshire Ambulance Service
As an emergency health advisor (EHA) with Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Megan answers 999 calls and talks members of the public through life-saving CPR.
Her story is a testament to resilience, having undergone four cardiac procedures at Royal Papworth Hospital, including three open heart surgeries, to treat two rare heart conditions.
"I'm so proud and thankful that I'm able to do my dream job," said Megan. "It's all because of the staff at Royal Papworth saving my life on multiple occasions."
An unexpected diagnosis
Megan's health journey began with fertility problems and persistent headaches.
After visiting her GP, blood tests revealed a low platelet count, prompting a referral to a haematologist. Further investigations showed she had lupus anticoagulant (LA), an antibody that increases the risk of dangerous blood clots.
Due to her ongoing headaches, doctors arranged an MRI scan, and the results came as a shock.
"It revealed I'd had a stroke without even realising," said Megan.
She was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a rare autoimmune condition sometimes known as ‘sticky blood syndrome’. The condition causes the blood to clot abnormally, significantly increasing the risk of strokes, heart attacks and deep vein thrombosis.
Just three months’ later, aged 23, Megan suffered a heart attack.
An echocardiogram at Scunthorpe General Hospital then revealed a large mass inside her heart, and subsequent tests revealed chronic clots in her lungs and a leaking tricuspid valve.
Megan underwent surgery four times at Royal Papworth
In January 2021, Megan underwent her first operation – a pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), also known as PTE, at Royal Papworth Hospital. This complex procedure was performed to remove blood clots from her pulmonary artery. During the same operation, the calcified blood clot in the right atrium of her heart was also removed.
"During the surgery, they also discovered that my tricuspid valve was severely leaking, and I had a hole in my heart - a patent foramen ovale (PFO), which could have been the cause of my stroke," said Megan.
“The surgical team closed the hole and repaired my tricuspid valve.”
Unfortunately, despite the valve repair, Megan developed further tricuspid regurgitation.
In November 2021, she underwent a second open-heart operation and complex reconstruction of her tricuspid valve.
This initially worked well for her. However, three years’ later, she developed calcification of the patch used to reconstruct her tricuspid valve, resulting in tricuspid stenosis, a narrowing of the valve that controls blood flow between the heart's right atrium and right ventricle. This was an extremely rare complication that occurred despite optimal treatment for her APS and intense anticoagulation.
In February 2025, Megan had another operation to replace her tricuspid valve with an On-X mechanical valve.
"My valve is working perfectly now, so that's such a relief," said Megan.
In March 2026, Megan also had an implantable loop recorder fitted to continuously monitor her heart’s rhythm.
Throughout every stage of her treatment, she says one thing remained constant - the exceptional care she received at Royal Papworth Hospital.
"The staff at Royal Papworth have been amazing.
"It's genuinely the best care I've ever received at any hospital. Even when I'm invited down there just for tests or a consultation, I genuinely look forward to it because I know they care.
"I owe everything I've got to Royal Papworth and its staff. I wouldn't be here without them."
Megan paid particular tribute to Mr David Jenkins, Mr Choo Ng and Dr Madalina Garbi, but said every member of staff had played a part in her recovery.
"I want to say thank you to everyone who has cared for me over the years.
"From the people who make the amazing meals - I still talk about the hospital food all the time - to the surgeons, nurses and every other member of staff, everyone is just incredible. They've made such a huge difference to my life."
Megan outside our hospital
A dream that almost slipped away
Long before her health deteriorated, Megan dreamed of working for the ambulance service.
She’d previously been offered a frontline role working alongside paramedics but because of her stroke history she was unable to obtain the C1 driving licence required for the position.
Rather than let go of that ambition, she found another way to make a difference.
Earlier this year, Megan completed her training and joined Yorkshire Ambulance Service as an EHA, answering 999 calls and supporting callers through some of the most critical moments of their lives.
"This is my way of still helping as much as I can and it's going really well," she said.
"It's a really tough job. It's very emotional and hard work, but I absolutely love it."
Remarkably, the calls she once feared would affect her most have become the ones where she feels she can make the biggest difference.
"We've had several cardiac arrests where I've needed to give CPR instructions over the telephone.
"I thought those calls would affect me the most because of my own heart history, but they're actually the ones I do best because I know how important they are.
"I'm just focused on helping people.
"Because of how unwell I got, that quite easily could have been me one day, so it's nice to be able to make a difference."
Megan in her inpatient bedroom at Royal Papworth
Looking to the future
Although Megan knows she may still need further treatment in the years ahead, she's optimistic about the future.
For now, she's focused on the career she once thought might be out of reach.
Every 999 call she answers is a reminder of how far she's come - from desperately needing life-saving care herself to helping others through their own emergencies.
"I'm just so thankful,” she added.
"I'm living my dream by helping other people, and that's all because Royal Papworth gave me the chance to have a future."