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.

Thursday, 15 December 2011

Jessica - the first 100 days

On a lighter note, Jessica is 100 days old today. Given that at one point in this journey, the odds of us having just one precious day with our daughter seemed slim, it is a huge blessing to have been able to have so many days of being able to get to know her and watch her grow.

Jessica’s first 100 days in the world in numbers:

Days spent in hospital: 33

Surgical procedures (after birth): 3 plus 1 cardiac catheter investigation

Hospital appointments: 8

Blog entries since birth (not including this one): 33

Weight gained since birth: 1530g (3lb 6oz)

Length increase: 7cm

Times sleeping through the night: 6

Weddings attended: 2

Smiles: Too many to count!

It has been quite a journey getting to this point but we are so blessed to have made it this far and we hope and pray that we will be blessed with many more days with our beautiful little girl.

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2 comments:

  1. Sarah Annis15 December 2011 at 21:23

    This is so lovely to read; so incredibly brave of you to put yourselves out their for us to be a part of your trials.
    The human body amazes me in what we are able to endure, and for Jessica to go through what she has so far shows her sheer determination to stay with you both and her extended family.
    I have to say its touching to "count" her 100 days and whilst reading the post to my husband found myself in tears when it came to her smiles...
    :o) beautiful... stay strong, my thoughts are with you all xxxx

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  2. Louise16 December 2011 at 22:17

    Thank you - she is an amazing little girl and we have just been so very blessed x

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