Five years ago today we were told that Jessica’s heart
condition was so severe that surgery was unlikely to be an option. It was, without a doubt, one of the hardest
days of our life - all we could do was to pray for a miracle. Although we didn’t grasp it at the time
though, the consultant that day did give us that glimmer of hope we prayed so
desperately for with his dismissive remark about in-utero surgery that ended up
taking place just six weeks later.
What a miracle it is to be five years on from that
devastating day and to be able to watch Jessica running around with Sophie,
doing all the things that other children of her age are able to do and lighting
up our world with her sunny smile. We
thank God every day for these two wonderful daughters of ours and everything
that has led us this far. There might
still be big steps to come but for now we will focus on the joy, the hope and
the miracles that have got us this far and concentrate on making happy
memories.
A few weeks ago, Jessica started Girls’ Brigade and on
Sunday took part in her first parade service at church. Seeing her there in her Girls’ Brigade
uniform with the other children was such a proud moment for both of us –
especially as Michael was part of the Boys’ Brigade at our church when he was
younger. Jessica looked very tiny
walking in holding one of the bigger girl’s hands but she sat happily with the
others throughout the service and went out to parade with the others after the
service finished. It is lovely to see
how much she has enjoyed going to Girls’ Brigade so far – every Friday she
tells me that she is “so ‘cited” about going.
We’re trying not to think too much about next month’s
cardiac catheter procedure just yet.
Last week’s visit from the community nurse was very encouraging though
as Jessica’s sats were around 85 which is the best they’ve been for quite some
time. Fingers crossed they stay up there
for a while!
