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 21 October 2011

Jessica at 6 weeks

It’s been a busy week for Jessica – we have been out and about a little more and a few more family members and friends have been meeting her for the first time.

We had a family wedding to attend last Friday where some more members of Michael’s extended family were able to meet Jessica – among them cousins Meryl, Angela, Chris, Katherine, David, Emily and Sam. Jessica’s arrival at the wedding was a little delayed due to having to make an unexpected trip back to the John Radcliffe as the wound from her surgery was looking a little inflamed and we were concerned that it was getting infected. The doctors advised that we just observe it for a few days and return if it worsened but thankfully it seems to be getting better now.

At the weekend, we had some friends come and visit so Sarah, Mark, Lynsey, Sam B and Sam P all got to meet Jessica for the first time.

Wednesday was both granddads’ birthday so we visited Grandad George in the morning to wish him a happy birthday and had a day of visiting Louise’s family and laying flowers in the churchyard in memory of Grandad Crouch. Jessica got to meet lots of cousins for the first time – Lee, Craig, Warren, Tabatha, Jamie, Jason, Lauren, Kieran, Wayne, Holly, Jake, Keely, Aaron, Brandon, Tiarna, Uncle Matt, Uncle Mick, Auntie Sam and the newest cousin Scarlett-Rose who is just twelve days older than Jessica. It was lovely to be able to spend a day with lots of family members.

We have also spoken to our minister at church to arrange a thanksgiving service on 27th November to welcome Jessica into the church as she has already been baptised.

Jessica had another check-up and echocardiogram in Oxford today – she has gained another 100g and is now 2980g (6lb 8oz). She is continuing to do well with regards to her heart function and oxygen saturation levels. We are still waiting for the date of the next catheter procedure to be confirmed but are expecting this to be in early November.

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1 comment:

  1. Anonymous22 October 2011 at 08:06

    Wow she's doing so well and quite the social butterfly :-)
    Big hugs to you all Geraldine & Matt xx

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