As it is CHD Awareness Week, I am sharing a photo of my little heart warrior and her zipper scar for this week’s black and white photography project. Her scar is the outward sign of everything that she has endured to get to where she is today. I am so very proud of her and thankful to be blessed with my beautiful little girl.
In the colour version of the photo, you can see how purple Jessica’s hands and lips are. This is because she has what is known as a cyanotic heart condition. Jessica’s blood carries less oxygen than normal. Her normal blood oxygen levels are around 80%. A person with a normal, healthy circulation has blood oxygen levels of around 97%-99% .
Jessica’s heart condition means that the right side of her heart is doing most of the work. This combined with her reduced oxygen levels means that she is more likely to become breathless and tire easily on exertion. Her next operation will improve her oxygen levels. However, her heart condition is not something that can be fixed and she will never have a normal circulation.
I hope the next op goes well, Louise. Jessica’s scar must be as much a badge of honour as a reminder for your brave little girl.
Thank you Tim – it is her badge of honour and I’m so proud of her 🙂
Such a wee trouper. The scar is a reminder of what a fabulous little lady she is, most adults would struggle to cope with such conditions but children just get on with it don’t they x
Thank you – she does seem to take it all in her stride, bless her, but then she’s never known any different x
These are a really powerful and beautiful pair of images; such a testament to both your strength x
Thank you Sara x
What a little sweetheart. I hope all goes well with the next operation.
Thank you Leslie.
What a beautiful picture – I have to admit it seems to add something turning it into black and white. x
Thank you 🙂
Beautiful image. It truly shows how brave and strong your dear daughter is. I wish her and your family all the best!
Thank you so much 🙂
That is such an evocative and beautiful image along with your words. I love it in Black & White.
Thank you – I love the black and white version too 🙂
Such a beautiful, precious and brave young lady you have there.
Thank you – she is amazing 🙂
Beautiful and powerful images Louise, as others have said a brave girl but with a brave and loving family too x
Thank you Stephanie 🙂
what a brave little girl, and a strong mum you must be. very moving photos.
Thank you Sherry 🙂
Very poingnant and thanks for sharing. I hope the next operation goes well and is a success. Very thought provoking image. I’m glad you’ve shared this.
Thank you John 🙂
Stunning photos!
Send you best wishes and prayers
Thank you Mascha 🙂
YOu have a very very brave girl. #bwphotoproject
Thank you Merlinda – she is incredibly brave x
This is such a beautiful and striking photo. What a brave little girl and a brave family too. Much love x
Thank you Aby 🙂
What a beautiful image and a great way to highlight your little ones bravery x
Thank you 🙂
Sitting in tears reading this, just the thought of all your little princess has gone and is going through! Beautiful photo hun, she is one amazing little girl and true fighter, total credit to ye xx
Oh bless you Gráinne, sorry to make you cry. She is my little miracle and I’m so very proud of her x
Such a beautiful and meaningful picture, it always amazes me how children cope with these things! Hope her next op goes well 🙂 #bwphotoproject
Thank you – she is a little fighter, bless her 🙂
Good luck Jessica you’re such a brave and amazing little sweetheart!xx
Thank you – she certainly is! 🙂
Amazing photo. I can’t believe the colour difference in the colour photo, astonishing.
Those with zipper scars are so brave, and you have such a special little girl. Jessica always looks so happy and gorgeous in all the photos you share.
Thanks Jenni – I thought I’d share both because the colour one really does highlight how blue Jessica often is although unless you see the contrast like this you probably wouldn’t notice it. She really is such a happy and brave little girl 🙂
Wow, beautiful and heart breaking at the same time. Many good wishes for your family.
Thank you
Wow, what a photo with a strong powerful message behind it. I hope the next operation goes well
Thank you for linking up
Thank you, lovely to link up again.
What a beautiful photo and such a brave little girl, I hope her next op goes well. Will be following for updates xx
Thank you Laura – hopefully it will be a while before she needs it x
What a total trooper you have lovely .. I am wishing your daughter strength for the next op and love to you all x
Thank you Jaime x
Just beautiful!! Gosh I never realised how purple Jessica was….That is quite scary x
Thanks Kim – her hands were a bit cold in that photo which makes the purpleness more pronounced – they do pink up a little more when warmer but it does show what her ‘normal’ colour can be.
This is such an emotive photo to express such an emotional subject. I do hope everything goes well, Louise
Much love to all of you xx xx
Thank you Tracey x
Definitely a sign of what a little fighter your girl is. Ross has a scar where he had his large intestine removed and everytime I see it, it reminds me of how much he fought to survive. Good luck to your girl for her next op xx
Thank you – those battle scars are quite a badge of honour x
Wow! What a beautiful and meaningful image. Hope the next op goes ok.
Thank you x
What a beautiful and powerful image. Hope the next op goes ok.
Louise, how on earth does she cope with those sats? She must be absolutely exhausted. A brave girl indeed. Have you sent that photo to the BHF? It is very powerful… xx
Thank you Fiona, they’re just what is normal for her – she does tire more easily than other children her age of course but still has quite a lot of energy. Did you mean the colour photo or the black and white one?
What a brave little girl and such an emotional photo x #bwphotoproject
Thank you x
Grace & Lucas say – XL MEGA High-5’s to a very awesome and brave little girl. We don’t know how lucky we are and we think this lil’ dudette is amazing x #bwphotoproject
Thank you Grace & Lucas x
What a beautiful picture! It made me tear up a little thinking about all that she has gone through and will be going through.
Thank you – she is a little fighter, bless her.
This is a beautiful photo Louise, you must be so proud of Jessica, what an incredibly brave little girl x
Thank you – I am very proud of her x
What a gorgeous photo Louise, what a strong little girl you have there and what a strong mummy you are. I hope her next operation goes well. I bet she shows off her scar to everyone doesn’t she?! Her little mark of survival. Thank you so much for linking up with #twinklytuesday xx
Thank you Lisa – she is such a little fighter. Hopefully we still have a while yet before her next op is needed. Lovely to link up to #twinklytuesday 🙂
Such a powerful image in both shots, you have an amazing little girl there, what a brave family, best wishes xx #twinklytuesday
Thank you – I think she is amazing too 🙂
Amazingly oving pictures your girl is a real trooper thankyou for sharing this with ~thankfulthursday
Thank you Karen, lovely to link up again 🙂
This is the first time I’ve seen these photos. How did I miss them? I absolutely loooove the B&W one. This is so ‘you’. It would make the ideal logo / badge. Have you thought of using it that way? xxx
Thank you Mel – never thought about using it as a badge but could see how it would work well as one x