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.

Sunday 7 October 2012

Home again


By Wednesday morning, Jessica was off the oxygen and almost back to being her usual happy self again.  There was good blood flow through the pulmonary arteries and aorta seen on echo and so we were able to go home.


Jessica has been doing well since we’ve been home – lovely and smiley as always and enjoying playing with her toys.  Her weight is now up to 8040g (17lb 11oz) so she is gaining weight beautifully.  Her little wounds from the catheter are all healing well and we are enjoying the fact that for the first time since she was born, we are all having time at home together without having a very clear idea of when the next trip back to hospital will be (other than routine check-ups!)


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