Hello guys, I'd thought you might be interested in reading this magazine snippet. Hope you enjoy it


Dawn's littl'un survived three cardiac arrests!
Dawn Flitcroft, 36 Bonger Country Down.
The look on the doctor's face told me something was wrong. "I'm afraid your baby's got a serious heart condition', he confirmed. I was 26 weeks pregnant and at a routine scan. As the words sank in, i was utterly distraught, especially when the doctor warned me my baby might not survive. Back at home, i broke the news to my other kids - Corrie, 19, Alesha, 15, Callum, 10 and Mya, 4. "The baby's very poorly', i cried. After, i was monitored closely. Then, in February last year, at 39 weeks, i gave birth to Kendal, while the kids stayed at home with family. Weighing 5lb 5oz, she was gorgeous. Before i could hold her, she was wicked away by doctors. "She's got hypo plastic left side of her heart, such as the aorta and left ventricle, hadn't developed properly. She only had half a heart. The right side was working harder to pump blood around her body, but it was only a matter of time before her ticker gave up completely. "It's unlikely she'll survive more than a day', a doctor said. Poor Kendal was just hours old. I felt robbed. I wasn't with Kendal's dad any more, so it was down to me to stay strong for my baby. "She needs me,' i sobbed to my mum Amelia, 55. Kendal looked so fragile, i didn't leave her side all night. Soon, a day has passed, then two, then five... "She won't live much longer,' doctors kept saying. But Kendal wasn't giving up. Then, when she was 10 days old, doctors decided to perform open-heart surgery in an attempt to repair her fragile, overworked heart. She was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital for specialist care. There, surgeons cracked open her ribs to operate. After, her tiny torso was wrapped in bandages with the words Chest Open written on it. "My poor baby,' i sobbed. Kendal remained in intensive care for a week. When the kids came to meet her, she was still too sick for them to hold or touch her. "When will she be better?" Mya asked sadly. She'd been so excited about being a big sister, she was desperate for a cuddle. "Soon, sweetie,' i said. 'Just keep wishing for her.' Then, last June, when Kendal was 4 months old, i was getting a drink when a nurse rushed to find me. "Kendal's had a cardiac arrest,' she gasped. Doctors were busy trying to revive her. i went numb as i waited for news.
Touch and Go
"She suffered three cardiac arrests,' a doctor confirmed. She was stable now, but it'd been touch and go. Again, i was told it was unlikely Kendal would live much longer. "im not giving up on her,' i told Mum. Months on, in September, Kendal needed further surgery on her heart. It was supposed to take five hours, but it took seven and a half. "We nearly lost her. There were a lot of complications doctor revealed. Only time would tell how well her heart recovered. Holding Kendal's little hand, i willed her to get stronger. 'Don't give up,' i pleaded, gently kissing her fingers "You've come so far,' poor thing had been fighting since the minute she was born. Incredibly, Kendal slowly got stronger. She went from strength to strength after the op, Amazing! "She was born aa fighter,' i smiled proudly to doctors
Thrilling
Finally, in November, after more than nine months in hospital, Kendal was allowed to come home. 'About time,' Mya said cheekily. The kids showered their baby sister with attention. Kendal seemed to thrive after that. Now 15 months, she only weighs 11lb 5oz - small for her age. Kendal still has a feeding tube, and doctors say she'll need further surgery and a heart transplant at some point. She's got a tough future ahead, but i know it won't hold my girl back. She'll carry on fighting, with every beat of her heart.
The facts about Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
It's a rare problem that occurs in approximately one in 5,000 babies.
The cause is unknown, but after one child with the condition, the risk increases with other children. Symptoms can include problem breathing, a pounding heart, weak pulses, and an ashen or bluish skin colour.
So, a little conclusion for you on the story above you have read,
I am really happy to have seen that Kendal is now home and getting stronger and that the doctors have helped Kendal to be at the point she is today!
Please comment and leave your thoughts/opinions below, ThankYou x