The amazing coincidence that reunited mum with the man who saved her life

A mum who had life-saving surgery as a baby was reunited with the same surgeon years later in an incredible quirk of fate.

Mel Johnson was born with a hole in her heart, meaning her heart stopped beating after she was born and she had to be revived by doctors.

When she was just three months old, the mum, from Bury, had to undergo vital surgery to repair the fault in her heart. She says she wouldn't be here today without the procedure.

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“While I can’t remember anything about the surgery itself, I have always been very grateful to the doctors for saving my life,” the 36-year-old said. “It is a very strange feeling to know that in different circumstances I could so easily not be alive today.”

Yet, in a strange quirk of fate, Mel was given the chance to thank her surgeon many years later when she fell pregnant with her own baby.

“I was pregnant with our daughter, Lola, who is now eight. Because of my history, the hospital wanted to run tests to see if there might be a similar problem with her heart,” she added.

“During the consultation, the doctor realised that he was the one that had performed my surgery all those years ago. It was a surreal moment. He was totally shocked, and I couldn’t believe it either. It was an amazing coincidence.”

Mel is now set to cheer on her husband Scott as he takes part in the Manchester Marathon to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Inspired by the life-saving care that she received, Scott aims to complete the 26-mile road run on April 14.

“This will be my first ever marathon and I’ve been working hard to fit in training around my job,” Scott said. “It’s also going to be a big achievement for me as I