Riley's miracle: three open-heart surgeries by age nine

Born prematurely at just 36 weeks in Cape Town, Riley entered the world facing incredible challenges with his heart. Within three hours of birth, his tiny hands and feet turned blue, leading doctors to diagnose him with congenital heart disease (CHD), a complex condition affecting his heart’s structure.

From the very start, Riley showed remarkable strength. After being closely monitored in the neonatal ICU, he was transferred to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, where doctors diagnosed multiple serious heart defects including Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV), Pulmonary Atresia (PA), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), and a duct-dependent circulation on the Tetralogy spectrum.

At only 20 days old, Riley underwent his first heart surgery, where surgeons successfully inserted a right modified Blalock-Taussig (RMBT) shunt to improve oxygen flow in his blood. His journey was far from over; months later, Riley suffered a Tet Spell — a frightening episode where he turned deeply blue, struggled to breathe, and became limp. 

“In the beginning, they told us two years max,” recalled his mother, Candice Swartland, 31, from Heideveld. “That was after his first heart surgery. He was on life support countless times. The first two years were very tough, but he was so strong through it all.”

In September 2016, Riley had his second open-heart surgery, receiving a central shunt that further supported his fragile heart. His resilience never waned.

Fast forward to June 2025 — at just nine years old and now in Grade 4, Riley faced his sixth heart surgery and third open-heart operation at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. The eight-hour operation was among the most complex yet.

“This one was even riskier,” said Swartland. “The odds are always 50/50. They had to cut veins from his leg to put in his chest. But he was ready. He told me, ‘Mommy, nothing will happen, there’s too much people praying for me.’ He was actually excited — he just wanted it over and done with so that he could move on.”

Following surgery, Riley spent nine days in hospital recovery, including time in ICU where he was carefully monitored. Though he battled a chest infection and fluid around his lungs, his strength shone through. He was breathing independently, oxygen levels at 100%, sitting up and slowly eating again.

“He’s okay now,” said Swartland. “He just has water on the lungs, and we need to be back at the hospital on the 24th.”

The most recent operation is expected to be his last — for now. “This one should hold for 8 to 10 years. By the time he needs another, he’ll be an adult,” she explained.

Despite his condition, Riley lives a vibrant life. He’s the eldest of two children, a proud big brother, and attends a mainstream school — something doctors once said would be unlikely.

“At his development clinic, they told us he’d be slow, that he wouldn’t be able to attend a normal school,” said Swartland. “Today, he’s a top learner at a normal school.”

Riley has also become his own best advocate. “He’s schooled on his condition,” his mom said. “He knows when he gets tired, he must take a break. He still gets tired easily, but it doesn’t break his confidence. He’s very brave, very outspoken, and full of energy. He’s just like any other child — he’s still naughty, still picky with food. He’s always asking, ‘Can I have a snack?’ He loves pizza, chips, milkshakes, and ice cream.”

Most importantly, Swartland said: “This condition didn’t change my child. It only made him stronger, more confident, and more brave. He is the bravest boy I know.

“I remember when we first found out about his condition — I didn’t even know what congenital heart disease was. I thought heart problems were for adults,” she said. “All I could do was hold onto my faith and that is the advice I would give to any parent going through this or getting the news for the first time.”

Riley is, by every measure, a walking, talking miracle. Despite living with a life-threatening condition that has taken him through six surgeries before the age of 10, he continues to inspire everyone around him with his grit, grace, and refusal to let illness define him.

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus