The wife of a father-of-two has thanked a hospital for helping give her young family three years of “precious memories” they never thought they’d get.

Tushar Bhatt was just 43 when he died on May 14, three years after doctors gave him an artificial heart to keep him alive.

Fit and healthy Tush was part of a normal and loving family when suddenly in March 2019, he developed flu and reported mild chest pain.

His wife Binita said: “We went to Watford General that same night with the thought that this was nothing but a late night adventure, home in time for tea in the morning.”

But it was something far more serious and Tush was transferred to the specialist Harefield Hospital after his heart activity was found to be "abnormal".

The IT worker’s condition quickly deteriorated and his family was advised a rare total artificial heart was needed to replace his heart until he was well enough to have a transplant.

Watford Observer: Tushar Bhatt was fit and healthy when he suddenly had to be admitted to hospital in 2019. Credit: Bhatt familyTushar Bhatt was fit and healthy when he suddenly had to be admitted to hospital in 2019. Credit: Bhatt family

Tush, who lived in Hemel Hempstead, spent months in hospital recovering from the operation. He was so weak, he struggled to hold even a pen and even had to learn how to walk again.

But after working tirelessly, Tush build up his strength and, after seven months, was well enough to come home.

His wife Binita says he threw himself back into daily life as a father for his children Neya, 9, and Rohan, 6, with “gusto”.

Watford Observer: Tush and his family Tush and his family

She recalled: “He tried to recapture as much normality as possible, even climbing two flights of stairs every night with an 8kg machine on his back so that he could tuck his children into bed.”

However Tush’s condition deteriorated and he found himself back in hospital and on a ventilator in early 2020.

Through sheer determination, Tush battled and against the odds, he was released from intensive care and returned home, where he would stay for 17 months.

Watford Observer: Tush pictured with his son Rohan. Credit: Bhatt familyTush pictured with his son Rohan. Credit: Bhatt family

However in late 2021, Tush suffered complications with his kidneys.

He was later accepted for haemodialysis at Lister Hospital in Stevenage, but after returning home was readmitted to hospital, and after fighting against the odds for so long, he died in May.  

Watford Observer: Tush's strength and dedication to his job was shown by the fact he would work during some of his many and lengthy stays in hospitalTush's strength and dedication to his job was shown by the fact he would work during some of his many and lengthy stays in hospital

Speaking one month on, Binita said: “I’ve never seen anyone fight so hard to live, no matter how tough things got. Tush was an absolute strength of character. Above all, he wanted to see his children grow old.

“Tush was outgoing, funny – he’d walk into a room full of strangers and come out with best friends, and he loved his family.

“Harefield Hospital gave him a chance, they embraced us a family, and enabled us to have precious memories. Without the hospital, Tush would have died three years ago.

“Tush’s strength, his fighting spirit and absolute determination to live are the legacy that he leaves behind.”

Watford Observer: Tush and his familyTush and his family

The family have shown their gratitude for the “unfaltering care and treatment” given by staff at Harefield by raising money for the hospital in the hope of helping others.

More than £8,800 has been raised by nearly 200 supporters.

Binita said: “We are really grateful for everyone who has supported this.”

The Just Giving page can be found here.