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.

Monday 15 January 2018

Post-Fontan recovery: Home on day 16!

We were very pleased last week when we thought that Jessica would be coming home this week. We didn’t expect that we would get to go home on Saturday though! With Jessica’s NG tube being removed on Saturday morning along with her cannula and drain dressings, there was really no reason for her to stay in hospital any longer. Saturday afternoon saw us packing up and heading home for Jessica to start her recovery at home!


Jessica with no more tubes on her face!


While we were absolutely delighted to be coming home, we kept a little quiet about it on social media on Saturday. We wanted to be able to surprise our church family by turning up all together. It was especially lovely because of it being a church parade service (where the Girls’ and Boys’ Brigade members join in with the service) so both our girls were there in their uniforms.



Jessica and Sophie in their Girls' Brigade uniforms with Miss Melanie



We had a little worry last night as Jessica was coughing a lot and sounded a bit chesty. Thankfully a check-up with the GP this morning shows that her chest is clear. Hopefully it is just a little bit of a cold and won't cause too many problems with her recovery.


It is lovely to be home again. Jessica will be off school for the next few weeks as she recovers at home, but Sophie went back to preschool today and enjoyed seeing her friends. We have a follow-up appointment in Southampton for Jessica on Friday to check how she is recovering and will be taking things easy this week as we get used to being home together. A huge thank you to everyone for your love, support and prayers. After previously having surgical stays of at least four weeks, it is amazing to be home at a little over two weeks following the surgery.
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1 comment:

  1. JennyC15 January 2018 at 20:26

    So pleased to hear that Jessica had got home (Gillian told me at the weekend). You will be delighted to be home and all together again.

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