Our beautiful daughter Jessica was born in September 2011 with a severe heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This was diagnosed at her 20 week scan and we were initially told that she was unlikely to be suitable for surgery. However, a pioneering in-utero operation at 28 weeks to enlarge a hole in her atrial septum was carried out and she was able to make it to term and get through her first open-heart surgery at just eight hours old. Jessica underwent five more surgeries during her life. Her final surgery - the Fontan procedure - took place in December 2017. She initially made a good recovery but sadly passed away suddenly on 14th April 2018 at the age of 6. This is the story of a little girl whose half a heart overflowed with love. She was, and will forever be, our little miracle and brought joy to all who knew her.

Friday 16 September 2011

Day 10 - Recovering well

Jessica is recovering very quickly from her most recent operation and is doing so well. By mid-morning, she was off the CPAP and back to just having oxygen through nasal specs which is fabulous. Her chest wound is looking a little sore and weepy at the top and so the team are keeping an eye on this and have taken swabs just in case but all seems well otherwise.

She was able to have some more cuddles again in the afternoon which was lovely and Nanny came to see her again in the evening.

We are hoping to be transferred up to Ocean Ward tomorrow as she is doing so well. There seems to be some difference of opinion about whether she will be able to come home before her next operation – the cardiologists seem to indicate that this is a possibility but we have also been told by other consultants that it is preferable for babies to stay on Ocean Ward until they have had the next procedure. Hopefully we will get more of an idea of whether this is a possibility or not over the coming days.

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  1. Anonymous16 September 2011 at 19:05

    Hiya, I'm a friend of Gillian's so you guys don't know me, but I've been keeping up with your blog and am keeping you all in my prayers. What a beautiful little daughter you have and I pray God's grace and blessing on you all x

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