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.

Wednesday, 23 December 2015

Getting ready for Christmas

This time of year always brings back memories of Jessica’s first Christmas.  Putting up the decorations brings back memories of Michael helping put them up on Ocean Ward while Jessica was in theatre having her Norwood procedure.  Putting together the little wooden tree that was Jessica’s very first Christmas tree instantly transports me back to that moment beside her cot in PICU when I put it together for the first time.  Here we are, four years on, and looking forward to being able to spend Christmas at home together as a family, knowing how lucky we are to be able to do so.



There have been some magical moments in the run-up to Christmas.  The festive season started off with the Families of Ocean Ward Christmas party where Jessica and Sophie got to see Father Christmas and had fun joining in with the party games and dancing.  Jessica loved having her face painted and was very excited to win a prize in one of the games too.



We had a magical day out at Legoland where we got to see Father Christmas yet again as well as enjoying some of the rides without any queues.  The Christmas lights were so beautiful and the visit to Father Christmas was so well done – we were greeted by elves and led through a maze of twinkling Christmas trees all the way to Father Christmas’s cabin where Jessica responded to his question about what she would like for Christmas with “a present!”  I think that one can definitely be managed!




Jessica enjoyed taking part in the Christmas concert at preschool and it was lovely to see her joining in with the singing and the actions.  She has really come on over this past year – she was so shy during the Easter concert and it was a joy to see how confident she was this time around.  





This year, Jessica is much more aware of the build up to Christmas.  She was so excited when she came downstairs one morning last week and saw the Christmas tree – “It’s Christmas in our house!” – and she has been frequently asking “how many sleeps until Father Christmas brings the presents?”  It’s wonderful to re-live the magic of Christmas all over again through her and Sophie’s eyes and we are looking forward to enjoying Christmas together as a family.



Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas – and sharing a Christmas greeting from Jessica and Sophie:




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