‘God told me I am going to be okay’ - Heart patient confident despite risky surgery

From the moment she was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at three years old, Markelia Brown has had to defy the odds.

Doctors also predicted that she wouldn't survive past age six, but she proved them wrong, surpassing every expectation. Now, at 27, she faces critical heart surgery that could mean life or death. But even in the face of uncertainty, Brown's faith is steadfast.

"I'm still going to be here after this surgery for a very long time," she told THE STAR, refusing to accept anything other than victory with this upcoming hurdle. In 2020, at age 22, Brown was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease. This caused her heart to enlarge and both her left and right heart valves started leaking severely, creating a complex medical situation. Despite needing a valve replacement surgery to survive at the time, her doctors expressed concerns about performing the procedure due to her multiple underlying conditions, making the operation a highly risky one.

However, last year, an echocardiogram revealed that her heart condition had worsened. Doctors advised her that the situation had become even more critical. With her heart further enlarged, the need for mitral valve-replacement surgery became urgent. Without it, Brown could suffer a heart attack at any moment. Still, the fear of surgery doesn't overshadow her faith.

"God told me I am going to be okay," she said confidently. "God said to me, 'It shall be well.'" Beyond her heart condition, Brown has battled sickle cell disease for most of her life. This chronic illness has caused her immense pain and a host of complications, including severe bone pain, as well as forcing her to live most of her life without a spleen, which was removed shortly after her diagnosis. Every day, she takes 10 different medications to manage her multiple conditions. She's determined to continue her fight, starting with the surgery.

"I know that it's risky because of my underlying illnesses, and they are going to have to try to contain the sickle cell so that my blood count doesn't drop. But I have faith, because I am blessed and I am favoured and I am still God's favourite, and mi never fi deh yah suh todeh. But God carry mi this far, he will carry mi through this, too," she said, adding that even though at times she feels fearful, her fear will never overshadow her faith.

"I am a bit scared, who wouldn't be? A mi heart this, anything can happen, any little cut. But God! Mi just know seh mi aguh alright, because God tell me seh mi aguh alright," she said.

Brown will benefit from an annual cardiac mission at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), a collaboration with Montefiore Hospital in Bronx, New York. The mission sees local and international volunteers to perform open-heart surgeries for up to 10 patients.

Brown also told THE STAR that despite the surgery's risk, she sees it as a blessing because if it successful, it could relieve some of her pain.

"Mi always in a pain, and not to mention the pain in a mi heart. Sometimes it feel like mi a get shock through mi entire body; and other times, a just pain weh mi cah even describe. And on top of that, mi cah walk too fast. Every time mi walk, mi out a breath, suh the struggles [are] real," she shared.

As she prepares for her surgery, Brown will need 10 to 15 blood donors by Friday. Regardless of blood type, those willing to donate can do so at UHWI under the name Markelia Brown.

"One donation can literally help save my life, so each one matters...these donations would mean everything to me and I would be super grateful because I don't want it, I am in need of it. So I would be so grateful for every donation," Brown said.